Consumer interest in seedless watermelons is certainly growing. Although more expensive, the future is theirs, he says Miroslav Angelov, Vegetable Seed Marketing Manager of Syngenta.
Miroslav Angelov
Cultivation of such watermelons is not yet widespread
because of the more difficult production technology.
„For the simple reason that watermelons need to be pollinated, the one-to-three scheme has traditionally been used. That is, in three lines seedless watermelons one row of seeds is planted. It is also possible to use special pollinators, such as Syngenta’s SP7, which are planted in the rows themselves and do not take away from the production area“, explained Mr. Angelov.
The technology reduces the average yield per acre by one because the number of seedless watermelons per acre is less. And secondly, because they are smaller, but more user-friendly. However, the reduced yield is offset by the deservedly higher price of seedless watermelons and
better producer profit
The other thing that is more specific about seedless watermelons is that they are more finicky about grafting onto rootstocks.
Most growers in Bulgaria, especially in the traditional watermelon areas of Harmanli and Lyubimets, transplant the plants themselves. Of course, there are also farmers who grow watermelons without supports, but this way they take more risks of temperature stress and pathogens.
Seedless watermelons in Bulgaria are intended
almost 100% for early production,
Miroslav Angelov pointed out. “We have a large manufacturer in the Pleven region, which has established itself over the years as a professional and partner of Syngenta. In southern Bulgaria, the cultivation of seedless watermelons is concentrated around Pazardzhik and Lyubimets.”
The market for seedless watermelons is in the commercial chains in our country and also outside Bulgaria.
Seedless watermelon from Syngenta, produced in our country
“Our seedless varieties are two. One is Red Jasper – it has a lighter bark with dark stripes, we call this color tiger. The other variety is Morena and it is completely dark green in color. The idea of the creators of the two seedless varieties is that they differ in appearance from traditional watermelons, so that the consumer can easily recognize them. Both varieties are high in sugar, preferred by children, parents and people who eat healthily”explained Syngenta’s marketing manager.
Regarding the production of
the standard sweet watermelons with seeds
Miroslav Angelov notices from 2021 until now an interest that grows year after year, including in 2023.
“In 2022, it happened that there was demand for the early watermelons, but the price was not good for the growers. Against the backdrop of rising prices everywhere, there was no growth in watermelons and farmers were not happy. We then thought that this would affect the demand for seeds this year. But it turned out that the main and late production had an excellent market and good prices. Because of the war in Ukraine, there was an increased demand and merchants bought large quantities of watermelons destined for Ukraine and Romania. That pretty much saved the season.”Angelov said.
The resistance of hybrids to major diseases
is among Syngenta’s overarching goals. The hybrids that the company offers are highly resistant to economically important pests. With Brussels’ policy to ban active pesticide substances that harm the environment, genetically based resistance is becoming increasingly important.
“Things are clearly moving more and more towards looking for varieties that are resistant to a greater range of diseases and enemies. Almost all of our watermelon varieties, for example, are resistant to anthracnose and fusarium.”Miroslav Angelov gave an example.