From Chile, 4 new raspberry varieties thanks to the work of the Fruit Technology Consortium, along with collaboration with consortia, universities and partner fruit companies.
The Fruit Technology Consortium surprises once again with the launch of four new raspberry varieties, "Santa Eduvina," "Santa Guillermina," "Santa Rosa," and "Santa Isabel," adding to the success of the first three raspberry varieties of the Consortium's Raspberry Genetic Improvement Program, "Santa Catalina," "Santa Clara," and "Santa Teresa," which have not only been well received by Chilean farmers-given their re-flowering, quality, yield, and large caliber-but also internationally.
María Fernanda Álvarez, coordinator of the Fruit Technology Consortium, in addition to highlighting the new developments, stressed the importance of working together. "Itis 14 years of work that is expressed today in these new varieties, which shows that it is possible to achieve results in genetics in Chile, contributing not only to the growth and development of family farming, but also to Chile as a generator of genetics. In the Fruit Technology Consortium there is coordinated work between Asoex, partner fruit companies, Pontificia Universidad Católica of Chile, and Corfo," he said.
The new varieties were developed under the Corfo Project 16PTECFS-6664, the final day of which was held on April 5 at the PMG del Frambueso experimental field in Santo Domingo, where the new varieties were presented.
SOLIDITY AND COHESION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AS WELL
Marina Gambardella, director of the Raspberry PMG of the Fruit Technology Consortium and a researcher and academic at PUC, said:
"Our goal as a genetic improvement program is to provide better and better alternatives to producers, and that is what we are doing today. These new varieties have the characteristics of our first raspberries in terms of flavor and other traits, but with better yield potential. In addition, one of the varieties is yellow in order to have a mix of colors when presenting the fruit to the consumer or in the bakery. We also named 4 female growers who were pioneers in testing our first raspberries. With them we recognize the great work they do, as well as other female growers across the country."
"In addition," he added, " the plants we have selected in this last phase of the program, over the past six years, have included selection for resistance to certain pests and diseases such as red spider mite and Phytophthora, which are two of the main pests; and we have also selected plants with increased resistance to drought and high temperatures. So these new varieties also have these characteristics, although not all of them in one variety."
Macarena Aljaro, director of programs and technology consortia at Corfo, said, "This is a consolidation. It is excellent. The results we see today are part of an effort of more than a decade, which has been promoted through strategic definition at the national level. First, in the fruit field, one of which is genetics. Second, in relation to the capacities that have been generated, again at the national level, both in raspberries and in other species. In addition, there is also a key factor, which is cooperation between different actors in the supply chain in order to bring benefits to farmers who, in this case of raspberries, are family farmers."
VARIETY NAMES: A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN GROWERS
The four new varieties were named in tribute and recognition of the hard work and commitment of four Chilean women growers. From the Aysén region: Eduvina Troncoso of Mañihuales; Rosa Vera Huenul of Puerto Guadal, Chile Chico municipality; and Guillermina Mirada of the Seis Lagunas sector and president of the Agrupación de Mujeres Campesinas of Patagonia. While from the Maule region, producer Isabel Leyton.
"I have the three previous raspberry varieties, Santa Clara, Santa Catalina and Santa Teresa. I had another variety before, Heritage, but it doesn't hold a candle to it in terms of work and yield. The Santa makes my work easier; it is a good choice. The area I planted is not very big, but the yield is very good, I get up to 20 tons per hectare," commented Teno grower Isabel Leyton, who also added, "I feel so proud to have a variety named after me. I don't know how to express this joy, but I know I will grow it because it will surely be as good or better than the ones I already have."
"The experience we had was wonderful. I am very satisfied with my work and would like to continue, learning more things. I was lucky enough to produce the three previous varieties, where the Santa Clara was the best I had, but I will keep them all, because they are all delicious and much bigger. In Aysén we have a native raspberry, but these others are incomparably good," said Eduvina Troncoso, who added, "I felt a lot of responsibility, I felt new energy, more vigor, but also as a woman, I feel I represent many women producers in Patagonia. And of course I will plant it, I will love it as I love others."
Concurrently, Guillermina Miranda, producer of Coyhaí, remarked, "Having a variety in my name seemed very comforting not only to me, but also to all the women of Patagonia, because it is in their name that I receive this distinction. I receive it with great humility and responsibility, and on behalf of all producers who dare to do something new, to innovate."
For her part, producer Rosa Vera, from Puerto Guadal, remarked, "I think everything is very nice. The raspberry varieties we have seen, and especially the fact that they bear our name, is great. There is a great responsibility behind it, because we reach the communities with different, but very good varieties."
It should be noted thateach of these producers was supported through Indap programs, both in Maule and Aysén, which enabled them to obtain varieties and better implement cultivation.
In this context, Sergio Sanhueza, Director (S) ofINDAP Aysén, said, "We are very happy and proud of this important designation, which is the result of intensive work done to enhance the small fruit tree sector in the Aysén region, in collaboration with the Regional Government, allowing us to provide more tools to more than 100 producers in the region, who have been able to improve their skills, technologize their production processes and venture into new areas. Undoubtedly, this is an encouragement to all, confirming that there is strong development in small fruit trees."
Source: Portal Frutícola
