Syngenta's new strategy to make sustainable intensive agriculture possible is based on offering integrated solutions for each crop; varieties of the highest quality that meet the needs of both growers and consumers, a wide range of plant health products, the development of programs for integrated crop management and many types of rootstocks adapted to different varieties and grower needs.
Tomatoes are a clear example in this line of work and Syngenta organised the Maresme Tomato Day in Vilassar de Mar, Barcelona, to present the advances made with this crop. Close to 70 producers from Aragon, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia attended it.
The day started with a visit to the greenhouses where Rafael Salinas, tomato portfolio manager, explained the advances made regarding varieties, starting with the Angelle, which is currently being exported to all main European markets, enjoying great success. It is a product with high sugar content and organic acids, which together with its texture and juiciness make it excellent in terms of flavour and ideal for fresh consumption, just like any piece of fruit. The Angelle is a clear example of Syngenta's philosophy of providing value added to the agri-food chain: a high quality product targeted to the most demanding customers and profitable for growers.
Another variety worth mentioning for the added value it provides is the Dumas; a high quality Marmande-type tomato resistant to the TYLCV virus. It has a flat, pretty appearance and a fantastic colour, with a sweet flavour and crunchy texture. The Dumas is a hit in Almeria and a safe bet as a spring crop.
Another variety presented was the Bubu, a Beefsteak-type, resistant to the TYLCV virus, with a spectacular dark green colour, good calibre, very firm and crunchy and an excellent flavour.
Lastly, two very similar Ox Heart varieties were shown which are being very successful, mainly in the Italian market. They are great quality tomatoes, with calibres between G and GG, with an attractive red colour when ripe and excellent post-harvest properties.
New Nemathorin 150 EC
Syngenta's strength does not only lie in offering the best plant material and successful varieties, but also on designing integrated solutions for each crop. Antonio Vera, Field Expert of Mediterráneo Norte, presented various integrated management strategies to fight the pests affecting tomatoes (whitefly, aphid, thrips, leafminer, Tuta Absoluta, etc.). Syngenta offers a wide range of products for thrips control, like Thripline or Hypoline M, etc., as well as Bioline auxiliary fauna, such as Nesidiocoris Tenuis or Macrolophus Caliginosus, which are proving very effective in greenhouse-controlled crops to tackle some of the main tomato pests.
Furthermore, Syngenta is also known for its tomato plant health products (Actara, Affirm, Aphox, Costar, Plenum, Vertimec, Ortiva, Revus, etc.), which make it possible to design effective and sustainable strategies meeting the strictest requirements for large-scale distribution. During the Tomato Day, the new nematicide, Nemathorin 150 EC, was presented, already registered in Spain for tomato and aubergine use and which is a very effective solution to prevent and cure root nematodes. Nemathorin 150 EC is a Fosthiazate-based nematicide; with a 15% emulsifiable concentrate formulation, used with irrigation before transplant at a rate of 10 litres per hectare. It acts as both prevention and cure, offering excellent crop protection. It is also innocuous to the auxiliary fauna and leaves no traces.
Within this framework of integrated solutions for tomatoes, cultural practices also prove important, and the use of rootstocks is one of the most helpful in terms of prevention against illnesses and pests and the improvement of crop quality. In this regard, two new rootstocks were presented which adapt to different needs: Armstrong, a rootstock providing a vigorous germination behaviour, and Arnold, providing balanced germination and vigour for the plant.
Lastly, Salvador Martínez, Syngenta's North Mediterranean Sales Director, closed the event thanking everyone for their attendance and reminding that only companies like Syngenta, which makes great investments in research and development, can meet the challenges of a sustainable intensive agriculture.
