CapGen Seeds recently held its open days in the western Almeria region; on January 24 in Roquetas de Mar and on February 1 and 2 in El Ejido. The spotlight was on the Gaudí, the company's late red bell pepper variety with resistance to powdery mildew and nematodes.
José Antonio Fernández Ibarra, sales coordinator and commercial technician of CapGen Seeds in western Almeria, was in charge of the variety's presentation, highlighting its G caliber "ideal for cooperatives, and its suitability for the flowpack format in the post-harvest."
"The Gaudí pepper stands out for its caliber, which oscillates between 180 and 220 grams (G caliber), its resistance to powdery mildew (Lt) and nematodes (Ma, Mi, Mj), its vigorous plant and its optimal sowing period, from July 25 to August 10. It ripens about 20 days earlier than other peppers, it remains in good condition on the plant for a very long time and it quickly acquires some red hues that evoke chocolate."
Promising future with new pre-commercial varieties
In addition to the Gaudí, CapGen Seeds presented two new pre-commercial varieties: CGP2582 and CGP2583, which stand out for their improved resistance to nematodes, powdery mildew, and L4, thereby offering comprehensive protection against common diseases and pests in pepper crops. "These varieties, with G and GG calibers, give producers the flexibility they need to adapt to different markets, whether in cooperatives or in auctions, and their later planting date, between August 5 and 25, allows for more strategic planning of crop cycles, thus maximizing efficiency and crop yield."
José Antonio said that CapGen expects to expand its variety range both this year and the next, so he advises everyone to "stay tuned to their upcoming news." There's also the prospect of the introduction of yellow bell pepper varieties, in addition to the red ones, all with resistance to nematodes, powdery mildew and L4. The arrival of pre-commercial varieties with resistances for early cycles is also expected. “It will be essential to adapt to market demands, prioritizing robust and productive plants,” said José Antonio.
For more information:
CapGen Seeds
www.capgenseeds.com