If apples are to have a market-compatible future, we will need more robust varieties. Benno Neff, CEO of Tobi Seeobst AG, discussed this at the Eastern Switzerland Food Forum. Pesticides are increasingly under scrutiny, and the energy required for fruit production is becoming more expensive, said Neff. Moreover, climate change is causing uncertainties at harvest time, and producers are also increasingly confronted with new pests and diseases. Additionally, there is a need to provide more organic areas for cultivation. Producers are strongly challenged to adapt to these conditions.
Marketing more robust apple varieties is challenging. Limited space at points of sale is also a problem. Particular interests, such as varietal rights and costs, also play a role. Government interventions and communication must also be taken into account. Neff also mentioned the long breeding cycles as a major challenge. There are also few potent breeding programs. Moreover, different breeding goals must be defined depending on the cultivation region.
Benno Neff also referred to new genomic breeding methods that show faster and more targeted results for multiple resistances. Existing varieties could also be improved in this context. Currently, Tobi Seeobst AG offers robust apple varieties under the brands Swing Apples, Bonita, Bloss, and Magic.
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