"Two years ago, before the Ukraine conflict and the exponential increase in production crises, I said I thought innovation and production improvement were essential to remain competitive on the market," reminisces Pippo Timperanza, sole administrator of Azienda agricola Landolina (Scicli, RG). "This is especially true in our sector, which is still heavily reliant on tradition. I believe this need to innovate and renew is now more necessary than ever."
Pippo Timperanza, Guglielmo Roccasalvo (Harmoniz), Natale Timperanza
"On the one hand, there are multiple difficulties concerning production: high production costs, ToBRFV and other diseases, extreme weather events and a lack of labor. On the other hand, there are the demands of an increasingly-demanding and selective market, which aims at defending the Italian produce against the competition from the rest of Europe or North Africa, improving quality standards year after year. Remaining still is not an option nowadays. That is why, last year, we started to plan and optimize our production processes. Making the right varietal choice is essential with these objectives."
Midi-plum Midres (TT-633), October 2022 transplant
"We have chosen to open our doors and collaborate with seed companies focusing on research that supply commercially valid varieties that meet the requirements of the big retail chain: good flavor, LSL, color and, in some cases, grades. It is no longer possible to think about quantities alone: fruit quality and resistances, especially that to ToBRFV, are now the protagonists when it comes to varietal choice. An example of the way we work is our selection of Midres (TT-633) midi-plum tomatoes from Harmoniz. Three years ago, we had the option to choose among a productive variety yet with low fruit quality when it came to flavor and shelf-life, a variety with a good flavor yet sensitive to ToBRFV or a new variety - Midres (TT-633) - which perfectly matched the demands of our sales channels: vigorous and resistant to ToBRFV, good brix level, excellent shelf life and color and good productivity."
Midi-plum Midres (TT-633), October 2022 transplant
"Everything started with a first comparison test between rows featuring September transplants. Last year, we expanded it to 3000 m2 with October transplants, which I think are the most difficult. For two years in a row, we ascertained that the variety is highly tolerant to ToBRFV and can withstand the stress of the winter season and prolonged periods of high humidity, low light in greenhouses and considerable temperature changes. Next year we will expand the production further, introducing V-shapes and producing for 10-11 months. This in addition to the highest standards that include the maximum disinfection of greenhouses during pre-cycles, a series of protocols to immunize plants already in the nursery and specific cultivation techniques developed over time such as V-shape cultivation. We reduce the risk of infection to a minimum, genetics does the rest."
For further information: 
Harmoniz
Guglielmo Roccasalvo:
+39 366 988 7564
Giuseppe Busacca:
+39 338 344 5650