Enza Zaden recently introduced new basil, parsley and arugula varieties with resistance to Downy Mildew. These ‘second generation’ varieties offer reliability and consistency for growers, retailers and consumers. “Due to the disease resistance the varieties are more stable to produce. The risk of crop-failure and/or lack of quality is less. This means a steady constant supply of the end product throughout the chain,” says Klemens Holz, Portfolio Manager at Enza Zaden.
Klemens Holz, refers to the new varieties as the herb varieties of the ‘second generation’: varieties that still have attractive colour and good flavour, yet at the same time ensure a more reliable production, better shelf life and extended quality at consumers’ homes. They are ‘so to speak’ a bit more forgiving in conditions that are not ideal, which is the case predominantly in the sales channel and at consumers’ homes.
A significant disease affecting herb and arugula production negatively is Downy Mildew. Within this second generation of herbs varieties Enza Zaden has developed ‘Eleonora’, the first basil variety that is resistant to Downy Mildew. Holz: “For parsley, we have released the varieties ‘Fidelio’ and ‘Peione’ and for arugula ‘E13R.3007’, ‘E13R.8011’, ‘Bellezia’ and ‘Letizia’, which are also varieties resistant to this disease.”