As is well-known, Italy and Spain are the countries of reference when it comes to European fresh produce, and, as a consequence, they are the leading procurement territories in the old continent. Harmonniz is a seed company among the protagonists in Almeria for the development of flavorful tomato varieties suitable for protected crops. These varieties are resistant to viruses, especially ToBRFV. Harmoniz has also included new vegetable segments in its genetic improvement programs.
In 2024, the company has introduced two blocky pepper varieties, Bernabel and Bonáyar, which are currently being launched.
Bernabel F1
"We have always pursued the objective of providing a diversified portfolio that is commercially valid and profitable for producers while maintaining the high quality and reliability that have always characterized our products," explains Maury Fernandez, General Manager at Harmoniz Ibérica.
"Both Bernabel, red G/GG-grade peppers, and Bonáyar, yellow G-grade peppers, are two blocky pepper varieties for summer transplants. They are recommended for transplants between July 25 and August 15 and provide the genetic safety of the most relevant resistances to Oidium, TSWV, and L4," adds José Martínez Martín, Product Manager for the peppers of the Spanish branch.
Resistance to Oidium, bright fruits of a homogeneous shape, and good shelf-life are the characteristics that define these authentic gems, which showed good tolerance to rot and excellent versatility in various areas in Almería, including cold and dry areas such as "Las Palmerillas."
Bonayar F1
"These are vigorous varieties that are not stressed by high temperatures during setting, nor by cold and dry climates, ensuring good volumes and high quality during harvesting. In addition, while the small leaves facilitate the fight against parasites (especially Trips Parvispinus), the short internodes and constant and homogeneous setting during the entire production cycle make these varieties extremely generous, easily reaching 25 good-sized peppers per plant."
As for fruit quality and morphology, Bernabel and Bonáyar boast a perfectly-square shape with four lobes that stay uniform until the end of the cycle. The considerable wall thickness is also essential, as it helps prolong shelf-life and delay harvesting, in addition to increasing yields.
The last characteristic highlighted by Martínez is the color of the fruit, "which is incredible and very appealing. The red and yellow are extremely bright, and, in both cases, they are uniform and do not 'fade' to orange in the sun. Bernabel boasts a deep red and is also ideal to be harvested green, as there is no silvering, and the color remains deep and homogeneous even when it is not ripe."
For more information:
Harmoniz
Jose Martínez Martín
+34 630 60 64 90
Javier Oliver Fernandez
+34 686 04 80 43
Maria Jose Flores Membrives
+34 636 111 613