The strawberry cultivars of Nova Siri Genetics (NSG), the Italian genetic improvement company in the berries sector, continue their rise in production areas characterised by a Mediterranean climate. In particular, in the southern regions of Italy, where strawberry production is concentrated in the winter and spring months, 70 million plants were distributed by the company's licensed nurseries, an increase of 7% compared to the last campaign.
"We are experiencing a growing demand for our strawberry varieties from growers in southern Italy," says Carmela Suriano, the company's EMEA director, "who increasingly appreciate the rusticity, earliness and fruit quality of NSG's patented cultivars.
Carmela Suriano, NSG EMEA director.
"The hardiness of the plants has become a key characteristic for strawberry growers, given the increased production in tired soils, in adverse weather conditions and with severe limitations in the use of plant protection products. Precocity and staggered production allow markets to be supplied as early as the autumn months with a high quality standard in terms of shape, colour and organoleptic quality of the fruit".
These aspects are the main strengths of NSG cultivars that have made them successful, leading to an increase in demand over the last three years, which in Italy is 32%.
With more than 35 million plants distributed for the 2023/24 campaign, which is equivalent to a 14% increase compared to the last campaign, the strawberry variety NSG 203 (marketed under the brand name Marimbella®) is the cultivar most in demand among growers. Used both as rooted top and fresh plant, Marimbella® is already in production in Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily. Next to Marimbella® the cultivar NSG 465 - Rossetta® is growing for the premium segment.
NSG 203 - Marimbella, harvested in Italy, January 3rd.
"The positive results achieved so far," explains Nicola Tufaro, NSG breeder, "encourage us to continue our research work, aimed at meeting the current and future needs of production and the market. We have more selections in store, both in our own experimental fields and in trials in those of our partners, which are proving promising in bringing further competitive advantages to nurserymen and producers".
Nicola Tufaro, NSG breeder.
Besides strawberries, NSG's research also focuses on other berries. The result is the presence of new experimental fields of raspberries and blackberries in the research centre, in which there are about 1,500 selections, some of which are already of interest according to the research company.
Raspberry experimental fields at NSG's research and experimentation centre in Policoro (Matera).
Once again this year, NSG will open the doors of its research and testing centre for a day in March, in order to show news and details of its activities to all players in the industry interested in its activities. The date and programme will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Source: Nova Siri Genetics
Images: Nova Siri Genetics
