Caniles - the Tomato Variety that Changes Market Preferences _ 4

22
Summer / August 2011
Caniles - the Tomato Variety that Changes Market Preferences _ 4
New Personal Watermelons from Zeraim Gedera _ 6
Laying the Cornerstone for Zeraim Gedera's New Headquarters _ 20
22
Seasons & Tastes
Content
/
Caniles - the tomato variety that changes market preferences
4
Zeraim Gedera cluster tomato varieties
5
Assessment of the water use efficiency for tomato plants grafted on advanced rootstocks developed
by Zeraim Gedera / Syngenta
6
2 new tomato rootstock varieties in Mexico
8
Mexico: protected tomato production on the increase
8
The Central Asian vegetable markets targeting export to Russia
10
15 Turkish agricultural professionals came to Israel
11
Watermelon production in South Texas
12
New personal watermelons from Zeraim Gedera
13
US southeast watermelon report
14
Symptoms of new viral diseases in tomatoes and peppers in the Mediterranean Basin and the ways
to deal with those symptoms
16
Collaboration between Peres Center for Peace and Zeraim Gedera
18
Pepper & spice & everything nice
19
Laying the cornerstone for Zeraim Gedera's new headquarters
20
Editor: Orit Naim-Pery _ Text & Proof Editing: Inter Office _ Design: Talia Baer, Graphic Design Works _ Photographer: Yoav Elkoby
Zeraim Gedera LTD. / P.O.B. 103, Gedera, 70750 Israel / Tel. 972 8 944 6220 / Fax. 972 8 944 6262 / Email. zeraim@zeraim.com
Zeraim Iberica S.A. / Tel. 34 96 3606093 / Fax. 34 96 3890312 / Email. zeraim@zeraimiberica.com
Zeraim Mexico SA de CV. / Elvis Hernandez Fierro / Tel. 668 861 3399 / Email. elvis.hernandez@zeraim.com.mx
Zeraim North America / José Luis González Beristain _ T. 521 646 175 73 96 _ M. 521 646 947 87 65 _ Email. joseluis.gonzalez@zeraim.com
Woody Speir, Florida _ M. 1 229 894 5398 _ F. 1 229 995 2174 _ Email. woody.speir@zeraim.com
Meir Peretz _ M. 1 760 831 2629 _ F. 1 760 568 2674 _ Email. meir.peretz@zeraim.com
Robert Arriaga, Texas _ M. 1 965 330 8649 _ Email. robert.arriaga@zeraim.com
All the recommendations included in this publication are professional advice only and anyone acting on them must take all necessary caution. Acting
according to the above advice is at the sole responsibility of the user. Local circumstances and conditions greatly affect the final results of a crop. Therefore,
Zeraim Gedera cannot accept any responsibility for the outcome of the crop.
© Zeraim Gedera LTD – All Rights Reserved 2011
www.zeraimgedera.com
From the
editor's desk
/
Dear Readers,
The summer is already here. Every summer
seems hotter than the one before. This is
exactly when we should be protecting ourselves
from the hot summer rays with a high SPF
sunscreen, a sunhat and of course plenty of
water – and what about our crops?
A great deal has been said about protecting
crops against the ravages of nature and coping
with the various shortages and there always
seem to be new facets to uncover on the topic.
As such, we are doing our utmost to compile
the most interesting material for you.
For example, in this edition, you will find a
very comprehensive overview of the rootstock
industry. We include an article by Igal Flash
covering an extensive trial we conducted this
year assessing the efficiency of water use for
tomato plants grafted on advanced rootstocks
as well as Meir Peretz' article discussing two
new rootstock varieties launched in Mexico.
You will also be able to read the article by
Alejandro Pascual, Marketing and sales, Spain,
about the Caniles tomatoes conquering the
Spanish market and the one written by Joel
Segal about the cluster tomatoes produced
by Zeraim Gedera and Syngenta.
And while we're on the subject of summer,
chilled, sweet watermelon is a must – which
is why we also included articles on the subject
of the watermelon industry in the US.
And if all that were not enough, it is my
pleasure to tell you about an exceptional article
on the subject of a project jointly conducted
by the Peres Center for Peace and Zeraim
Gedera. The article was written by Wadea
Gazawe, the Company's Marketing and Sales
representative who is overseeing the project.
Beyond the information contained in our
newspaper, you can always contact our
marketing team or the Gro N Tec staff who
will be glad to give you their recommendations
regarding the right variety and how to care
for it properly.
Yours,
Orit Naim Pery
orit.npery@zeraim.com
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4|
CANILES
The Tomato Variety
That Changes Market
Preferences
Alejandro Pascual, Sales and Marketing, Zeraim Iberica, alejandro.pascual@zeraim.com
Is there any substance to the claim that a
variety must have a particular shape, color
or size to be right for a specific market?
In terms of produce marketing history, there
have been many instances in which individual
varieties have changed market tastes or habits
and, over time, such varieties have become the
market leaders in their sectors.
As a rule, such market leading varieties provide
a solution for an agricultural or marketing need,
or they provide a solution for customer needs.
marketplace (development at low temperatures,
good behavior in conditions conducive for
the development of spotting, micro-cracking,
hollow fruits, pointed ends, etc.).
Caniles provides:
•A homogenous, high quality product.
•Fruits are M-MM size with a unique heart shape
•A strong, striking red color
•Caniles tomatoes are firm and have outstanding
shelf-life
•Caniles tomatoes have an unusually high
brix rating
These outstanding features of Caniles are
testimony to the fact that it is a better product,
offering the grower security and higher profits.
The distributor gains a good-looking product
that ensures higher customer satisfaction and
loyalty to the variety. Those are the advantages
that will ensure a change in market preferences.
This could well be the variety that will pioneer
an entirely new fashion.
Long live the Caniles Tomato!
The Caniles tomato variety, which is heartshaped, is one of those market leading varieties
offering a solution for all the needs of growers,
distributors, marketing chains and consumers.
The heart-shaped tomato, Caniles, is a relatively
new variety designated for export. In Spain,
during the most recent sales campaign, Caniles
tomato became the market leader in the heart
tomato sector and for 2011 it will continue its
dramatic growth in market share.
What makes the Caniles heart tomato
so special?
Grower
Distributor / Marketer
Consumer
Outstanding plant strength
and health
Uniform fruit shape,
size and color
Glossy red color
High yield
Firm fruit with an
extended shelf-life
Fruit: smooth
heart shape
Long growing cycle variety
with cold resistance
Unique shape
Good taste
Tolerance to cracking or
hollow fruit
Good looking tomatoes
Long shelf-life
Tolerance to spots or
pointed fruits
Sorting – 90% Grade A
Resistant to TYLCV
Caniles tomatoes have even more to offer. The
next objective for the Zeraim Ibérica team is
to increase the heart-shape tomato export
market (size M-MM).
Why are we so optimistic?
The Caniles variety is easy to grow, provides
high yields and has many other advantages.
Caniles is probably the best long growingcycle tomato plant currently available in the
The heart-shaped
tomato, Caniles, is a
relatively new variety
designated for export.
In Spain, during the
most recent sales
campaign, Caniles
tomatoes became the
market leader in the
pear tomato sector and
for 2011 it will continue
its dramatic growth in
market share.
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 5
Zeraim Gedera
Cluster Tomato Varieties
Joel Siegal, Marketing and Sales, Arava, Ramat Negev and Kikar Sdom, joel.siegal@zeraim.com
A great deal has been written and said about
the varieties of cluster tomatoes
of Zeraim Gedera, one of Israel's
Zeraim Gedera offers two
leading Companies in the industry.
leading varieties of cluster
These cluster tomatoes are known
for their luxury image and, in most
tomatoes, Sophie and Ikram.
countries worldwide, cluster tomatoes
Both varieties boast high yield
are sold for a higher price than
and high quality fruit as well
individual tomatoes. We are currently
approaching another planting season
as a particularly long shelf-life,
of Zeraim Gedera cluster tomatoes,
making them suitable for export.
and Zeraim Gedera will provide
you with information crucial to
Advantages of the Cluster Tomato
the success of your tomato crop.
Varieties
Cluster tomatoes in Israel are grown
in two seasons and for different
targets/customers:
•The domestic market - The summer
planting from April to July – over
the past few years, cluster tomatoes
have earned a respectable place
among the assortment of tomatoes
in chain retail outlets. Consumers
are very fond of the natural look
and 'old-fashion taste' of cluster
tomatoes – as such, the main
target audience for these cluster
tomatoes is Israel's local market.
In the last few years, the demand
for cluster tomatoes during the
winter months has also grown
for the local market.
•Export - The Fall planting starting
in August – the target audience for
these cluster tomatoes is export to
Europe and Russia. Israel supplies
these markets with conventional
and organic cluster tomatoes during
Europe's winter months thanks to
their long shelf-life.
•Yield / these varieties boast high yield throughout
the season with very good continuity
•Good ripening / Zeraim Gedera's tomato varieties
set well both during the heat conditions of summer
and fall and during the cold winter months, thereby
producing tomatoes throughout the entire year
•Fruit color / Consumers like buying fruit with a
strong red color. Ikram and Sophie have an intense
red color throughout the year
•Separating the fruit from the branch / For
tomatoes that are picked in clusters, a firm
attachment between the fruit and the cluster
fishbone is very important
•Shelf-life / Cluster tomatoes are shipped to
Europe by sea. The fruits only reach the shelves
three weeks later. Ikram and Sophie stay firm for
that duration. The vines maintain their vitality and
color even three weeks after the harvest
•Ripening on the plant / Cluster tomatoes ripen
on the plant and are only picked once they have
fully ripened so that they absorb the maximum
amount of sugars and minerals for consumption
and health purposes.
•Labor saving / the clusters, rather than individual
tomatoes, are harvested, saving a lot of time
during picking.
Zeraim Gedera/Syngenta leading
varieties
Zeraim Gedera offers two leading varieties
of cluster tomatoes, Sophie and Ikram. Both
varieties boast high yield and high quality fruit
as well as a particularly long shelf-life, making
them suitable for export.
Ikram: a cluster tomato variety with 5 to 6
fruits per cluster. The fruits are very firm so
that, even after the harvest, they stay firm
for a long time. Because the Ikram plant is
very vigorous , it is suitable for all soil types.
Sophie: a cluster tomato variety with 6 to 8
fruits per cluster. Intensely red fruit The cluster's
vine has a very long shelf-life after the harvest
it stays green and fresh. Sophie boasts large
fruits in the spring season as well (when the
plant production turns from winter to summer).
as labor-saving harvest and shelf-life. Ikram
and Sophie varieties are also available as
grafted seedlings (see the article on page 6)
or as non-grafted seedlings. Either way, the
success of Zeraim Gedera's cluster tomatoes
is assured!
Zeraim Gedera/Syngenta A decade of guaranteed success
These varieties can currently be ordered from
plant nurseries. For further information,
please contact Joel Siegal of Sales and
Marketing: joel.siegal@zeraim.com or
Tomato Product Manager, Igal Flash: igal.
flash@zeraim.com
Zeraim Gedera varieties have been proving
themselves on the tomato cluster market
for close to a decade with properties such
6|
Assessment of the Water Use Ef
on Advanced Rootstocks Develo
Fall 2010-11
Igal Flash, Tomato Product Manager, igal.flash@zeraim.com
Growing tomato plants grafted on rootstocks is an accepted practice
in many countries worldwide. In Israel as well, rootstocks have been
widely used for many years. The use of rootstocks is becoming more and
more common practice and it is a significant factor in the farmers' financial
considerations. The tomatoes currently being grafted are primarily cherry
and cluster tomatoes, but farmers understand that all tomato varieties can
be grafted as well.
Does the use of rootstocks enhance the
availability of water to the plant?
The agricultural use of rootstocks began as a
way of coping with various diseases and soil
deficiencies such as nematodes and parasitic
plants. The use of strong rootstocks, which are
resistant to soil problems, offers the farmer a
good soil solution and freedom of choice for the
plant's upper part, the scion. In many cases, the
combination of rootstock and scion significantly
enhances the growing options and leads to a
better economic results.
Does the use of rootstocks enhance the
availability of water when planning an
agricultural farm? What is the relevance of
water quality when planning agricultural on
farm production?
In growing areas where there are problems
regarding water availability and quality, the
use of rootstocks is recognized as a commercial
solution and, in many cases, it is the only way
to grow profitable yield. It is a known fact
that there is a direct correlation between the
efficient use of the water by the plant and the
production of dry matter in the plant, the yield
quantity and the quality of the fruit. A decline
in the availability of the water in the soil as a
result of salinity directly affects the quantity and
quality of the fruit. An increase in the salinity
level in the root zone limits the plant's ability
to absorb water, hence damaging the crop. The
farmer's response is surplus irrigation in order
to rinse the salt from the main root zone and to
enhance water availability for the plant roots.
The use of sophisticated, efficient rootstocks
utilizing water from the soil is primarily an
economic consideration. Using rootstock can
reduce the cost of water by enabling farmers
Grafted Kilates yield in Kg/square meter
Arnold
Beaufort
Kilates-Control
Soltina
Rootstock A
Rootstock B
The red line indicates the average yield among water regimes. A different letter
indicates a significant difference between rootstocks
Average fruit weight in grams
Arnold
Beaufort
Kilates-Control
Soltina
Rootstock A
Rootstock B
There is no significant difference in the average weight of the fruit between the rootstocks
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 7
ficiency for Tomato Plants Grafted
ped by Zeraim Gedera / Syngenta
to use less water. Rootstock makes it possible
to use lower quality water, generally meaning
cheaper water.
New
In addition to rootstocks enhancing resistance
to pest damage and strengthening roots, what
financial benefits can be considered?
Prolonging the growing season and reaping high
quality crops for the duration are crucial financial
considerations. Grafting a high quality variety
on a rootstock will yield a long growing season
and save the farmer the cost of complementary
growing seasons by providing a continuous yield
for the entire season.
Are the Gedera and Syngenta rootstock
varieties more efficient at utilizing water
while maintaining high yield and fruit quality?
In order to address this important question, Zeraim
Gedera launched complex experimental research
evaluating the Company's new generation of
rootstocks. These rootstocks perform flawlessly
under saline conditions and under extreme
conditions. Of course the rootstocks are endowed
with all the basic properties required to cope
with diverse soil conditions. Moreover, these
rootstocks boast a much better germination
rate, seedling uniformity and plants turnout
than what is currently perceived to be the norm.
TRIAL PROCEDURE
The trial was held in four replicates in a hothouse at
Assulin Farm in Mivtachim. On September 19, 2010,
we planted five rootstocks, which we compared to
a control treatment without rootstock. We used
five different irrigation levels: 50%, 75%, 100%,
125% and 150%. The customary fertilization level
in the area was maintained for all treatments. We
grafted the Kilates elongated tomato variety onto
the rootstocks. We used tensiometers to conduct
a follow-up and tested the soil nutrition level as
a control for accurate fertilization and irrigation
treatments. We weighed the crop and measured
the size of the fruit every week. We also measured
the stem diameter in order to assess the plant's
vigor and sturdiness and tested the fruit's quality
at the Zeraim Gedera laboratory.
What do the results of the trial show us?
As the charts show, there was no significant
interaction between the water treatments and
the rootstocks.
from Zeraim
Gedera
Your winning combination:
CLUSTER IKRAM GRAFTED ON
ROOTSTOCK ARNOLD
For a larger and better quality fruit and a long season
An analysis of the main effect of the rootstock
factor shows that the Arnold rootstock yield
was clearly superior to all the other rootstocks,
with the exception of new Rootstock A.
The weight of a single fruit was not significantly
affected by the different rootstocks.
The extra yield obtained with the Arnold rootstock
stems from an increase in the number of fruits
picked – indicating an enhanced heat set.
The new Zeraim Gedera/
Syngenta rootstocks can:
•Provide high quality yield for a long season
•Open new financial options for growers
•Attain a high seedling turnout and a new
era of grafting efficiency in the plant nursery
The extensive data collected in this trial
enabled us to understand the grafted plant's
behavior and learn about the compensatory
mechanism activated by the plant during the
fruit production process. A broader discussion
of the subject and a financial analysis of the
data shall be published in future issues of
Seasons and Tastes.
2
8|
New
Tomato
Rootstock
Varieties
in Mexico
Meir Peretz, Cucurbits-Tomato NAFTA , PBM
meir.peretz@zeraim.com
The Zeraim Gedera Seed Company will be
launching 2 new tomato rootstock varieties
this coming season in Mexico. We are very
excited to be offering the new varieties called
Palo Verde and Taurino on the market.
Rootstocks (RSTK) have been used in Mexico
for over 10 years and tomato growers are using
this technology more and more every year.
The advantages of using rootstocks are as
follow:
•Soil disease protection
•Extended season and shifting toward a long
cycle, which is more economical
•Higher yields
•Plant vigor that promotes reduced water use
and cost savings
Most of Mexico's rootstocks use is in indoor
production PGH (passive green house) such as
Plastic and Net houses and of course in Hi-Tech
Greenhouses (AGH) . There is also limited use
for open field tomatoes, mainly in Sinaloa State.
Rootstocks are used for almost all tomato
types and primarily the following: Indt, Round
/ Beef, INDT Saladette (Roma) and INDT Cherry.
Rootstocks can be used for any type of tomato,
depending on the needs of the grower.
Our new varieties will initially be introduced
in the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Baja
California and later extended to all areas of
Mexico. Our varieties will provide new benefits
to the tomato growers with a high germination
rate and plant uniformity.
Palo Verde - A medium vigor RSTK with
an excellent disease package containing the
following: Palo Verde can be grafted with a
high vigor scion such as Cedral – indeterminate
Zeraim Gedera beef.
Tolerance: V, F1, F2, F3, Ff 1-5, FCRR, M,
ToMV 0, 1, 2.
Taurino - A vigorous RSTK with an excellent
disease package. The vigor can be exploited
to graft with a low vigor scion that is a highly
generative type. For example, it can be grafted
with Mantaro or Soberano, both of which are
Indeterminate Saladette. Both of these varieties
are high yielding with medium vigor plants.
Tolerance: V, F1, F2, F3, Ff 1-5, FCRR, M,
ToMV 0, 1, 2, PL.
Taurino also has resistance to Pyrenochaeta
lycopersici (PL), which is corky root rot.
Generally speaking, the most important aspect
of using RSTK has to with matching the best
tomato scions. The better the compatibility,
the higher the success with RSTK . The result
will be more balanced plants that can produce
for a long time and be profitable for the
tomato grower.
The conclusion of the trial is that Taurino is
more vigorous than Palo Verde, producing
larger fruit.
As mentioned, Palo Verde is less vigorous but
will fit in with very vigorous scions such as
the Cedral variety.
Our new varieties will initially
be introduced in the California
states of Sinaloa and Baja and
later extended to all areas
of Mexico. Our varieties will
yield new benefits to the
tomato growers with a high
germination rate and plant
uniformity.
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 9
Mexico:
Protected
Tomato
Production
on the
Increase
Growers in Baja California are the main
producers and exporters in summer
Source: Syngenta Seeds Vegetables Tomatoes Today – June 2011
According to the latest GAIN Report on
Mexican tomato production released by the
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the area
devoted to open field tomato production in
Mexico is showing a downward trend due to
pest problems, high costs of production, swings
in both international prices and exchange rates,
and water availability. Over the forthcoming
summer months, Baja California will be the
most important state in Mexico for tomato
production and exports.
Parvati on Palo Verde
Parvati on Taurino
According to estimates, the area devoted to
fresh tomato production in Mexico increased
4% to 53,300 hectares in the 2010/2011 season
in comparison with the previous season. USDA
forecasts predict that this area will not increase
over the 2011/2012 season, but will remain
stable. Independently of this trend, there are
changes in the type of production favoured.
For example, tomato producing states such as
Sinaloa and Baja California, the USDA reports,
are changing from open field production to
greenhouse production. This means a smaller
area, but higher yield. According to the USDA,
there are probably more than 4,000 hectares in
Mexico devoted to protected tomato production.
The GAIN Report observes that the decrease
in open field production is more evident in
states such as Sinaloa, Baja California and
Jalisco, where most greenhouse operations
are concentrated. However, there are also
greenhouses in the states of Colima, Mexico,
Hidalgo, Michoacán, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí,
Sonora and Zacatecas.
The USDA reports that protected agriculture
as a whole is growing at an annual rate of
about 15% in Mexico. This is because growers
are becoming more aware of the benefits to
be seen in production, quality, pest control
and reduced exposure to climate change. The
government also views the introduction of this
type of production into rural and poorer areas
as a means of boosting social development.
Tomato Production and Exports
Tomato production in Mexico totalled 1,782,000
tonnes over the 2010/2011 season, a decrease
of 9.4% compared with the 2009/2010 season.
However, according to forecasts, the production
of this crop will rise 11% to 1,980,000 tonnes
in the 2011/2012 season.
During the summer season (from May to
October), growers in Baja California are the
main producers and exporters of fresh tomatoes.
Consequently, growers in California face direct
competition from Baja California tomatoes,
the USDA reports.
10 |
The Central Asian Vegetable
Markets Targeting Export
to Russia
Zevick Levy, Area Manager East Europe and South Africa, zevick.levy@zeraim.com
In most of Russia’s regions, low temperatures
and insufficient lighting make it difficult to
grow vegetables. It is especially difficult during
the autumn, winter and spring seasons, and
that's why the price of vegetables soars. It
is only in the hot summer months that the
price goes down, thanks to growing crops in
the open field.
Local economists believe that it is more profitable
to fill up the Russian market by importing products
from more southerly located countries such as
Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Spain, Israel,
China and others. This method has worked for
decades and it is likely to keep working for a long
time to come. Zeraim Gedera genetics are well
known to the growers in most of these countries .
Zeraim Gedera Indeterminate tomatoes are
sold both on the local market and exported
to countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan.
The analysis shows that the proportion of fresh
indeterminate tomato hybrids of Zeraim Gedera
is relatively high in these markets.
Uzbekistan, which was the main supplier to the
USSR until 1991 due to its favorable climatic
conditions for vegetables, is currently the most
successful producer and exporter.
Transportation to Russia takes 3-4 days and
the quality of the produce that reaches the
export market is impressive.
Another major producer in the Caucasus region
is Azerbaijan, a country neighboring Russia
which is only 2 days away from Moscow.
These countries are highly experienced with
locally-grown vegetables.
The most popular Zeraim Gedera varieties of
Indeterminate tomatoes in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan,
Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan are Tolin, Tovi
Roca, Bonaque and the newest variety - Barona.
Local farmers prefer these varieties thanks
to their high yield and disease–resistance
package. Taste quality is excellent and fruit
transportability is very high.
Zeraim Gedera Bet Alfa type cucumbers are
also sold in Central Asian countries, mainly for
domestic markets.
In these countries, light intensity is relatively
weak and the temperature is low. Therefore
the early-maturing varieties are of essence.
Zeraim Gedera's parthenocarpic cucumbers
in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,
Georgia and Turkmenistan currently range
from parthenocarpic baby cucumbers (8-10
cm) such as Rocky and Cucino and averagesized ones (18-20 cm) such as Ricardo.
Zeraim Gedera's assortment of cucumbers
is suited to all relevant growing seasons
on the market. For open field crops, the
most popular cucumber is (Green Fingers)
9933 (8-10 cm), which is sold in significant
quantities in Uzbekistan.
Local economists believe
that it is more profitable
to fill up the Russian market
by importing products from
more southerly located
countries such
as Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan,
Turkey, Iran, Spain, Israel,
China and others. This
method has worked for
decades and it is likely to
keep working for a long
time to come.
Ricardo
Tovi Star
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 11
15 Turkish Agricultural
Professionals Came to Israel
The purpose: To learn more about Zeraim Gedera's products
and activities
This past May, a group of 15 Turkish agricultural professionals came
to Israel to learn more about Zeraim Gedera's products and activities.
The group was comprised of leading nursery owners, seed dealers, wholesalers
and agronomists from throughout Turkey and was led by Lutfu Sav, Zeraim
Gedera's Marketing and Sales Manager in Turkey, and Avi Shamir, Zeraim
Gedera's Marketing Development Manager in Turkey.
The purpose of the visit was
to expose the participants
to new vegetable varieties
that are not present in
the Turkish market, to
demonstrate techniques
for maximizing the potential
of Zeriam Gedera varieties
that are sold in Turkey, and
to introduce technologies
and discuss agronomical
issues of relevance to the
Turkish market.
The group visited the Asulin Farm in the
Negev desert, where they saw nethouses with
commercial and new spring/summer tomato
varieties. In addition, they visited a state-ofthe-art young plant raiser in the area and
were given a guided tour of the facility by one
of the owners, Yossi Malachi. They observed
pepper and tomato production at Ovits Farms
and met with the owner, Doron Ovits, who
also gave them a tour and explanation of the
packing house facilities and its operations.
Zeraim Gedera's Gro N Tec
team has focused its attention
at providing technical support
and know-how to Turkish
growers.
In the village of Achituv, located in Israel's
northern coastal plain, the group was given an
in-depth look at Israeli cucumber production. In
particular, they focused on Zeraim Gedera's
new Beit Alfa cucumber variety, "Pruva",
which recently was successfully introduced
in both Israel and Turkey.
Turkey is one of the most
world's important producers
of vegetables and the fourth
largest producer of tomatoes.
With over 20 years of experience
in the Turkish market, Zeraim
Gedera is a leading brand in
Turkey's vegetable sector and is
well-known and respected for
its innovative and high-quality
products.
Throughout the duration of their visit, Zeraim
Gedera's Gro N Tec team accompanied
the group and provided the Turkish
participants with a series of lectures and
demonstrations regarding disease and pest
control, technological innovations, and
explanations of Gro N Tec's experiments
and trials which are based on practical
research designed to improve the yield
and quality of varieties. As well, the group
met with senior leaders of Zeraim Gedera
and Syngenta, including Amnon Eshet, Head
of Zeraim Gedera, and Andre Goig, Director
of the Europe, Africa and Middle East regions
of Syngenta.
Turkey is one of the most world's important
producers of vegetables and the fourth largest
producer of tomatoes. With over 20 years
of experience in the Turkish market, Zeraim
Gedera is a leading brand in Turkey's vegetable
sector and is well-known and respected for its
innovative and high-quality products. In 2009,
after many years of working via distributors
in Turkey, Zeraim Gedera established its own
marketing and sales team in the country, helping
to strengthen the connection between Zeraim
Gedera and its growers and customers in Turkey.
Zeraim Gedera's Gro N Tec team has focused
its attention at providing technical support and
know-how to Turkish growers and the visit of
this large and diverse group constitutes a part
of our intensive and expanding activities in
the Turkish market.
12 |
Watermelon Production
in South Texas
Robert Arriaga, Business area manager, robert.arriaga@zeraim.com
The watermelon harvest starts in early April
and goes out with a bang in late May, just in
time for Memorial Day Weekend. This is the
grower's main target date. If the demand is
still high after Memorial Day, the harvest lasts
a few weeks longer, into the month of June.
This market window falls between the Mexican
winter crop, which lasts from December to
April in South Texas and the Southeast US
crop, which is also harvested in May.
To prepare for the harvest, growers in South Texas
start to make plans as early as November with
land preparation, drip and plastic installation,
and the purchase of the seeds to be sowed at
the local greenhouses in late December and
January. Zeraim Gedera has a successfull Plant
Sense Program, which helps growers contract
plants for their needs. The transplants will be
ready for the fields in February, allowing the
watermelons plants to produce fruit sixty days
after the plants are set in the field.
South Texas' subtropical
weather has enabled
growers to produce
sweet, delicious
watermelons for many
years and this crop has
become a good business,
which helps feed the
economy and create jobs in the area. Growers,
brokers, harvest crews and other indirect businesses
benefit from this annual crop. South Texas
currently grows about 10,000 acres of seedless
and seeded varieties with a few personal type
melons. Zeraim Gedera has become one of the
major seed companies providing growers with
seeds or plants. Crisp'n Sweet is a variety with
early maturity and continuous set that allows
growers to harvest early. Sugared and Sugar
Coat bring both good internal qualities and fruit
size. Both Super Crisp and Super Crisp 32 have a
darker rind color pattern, which gives the fruit
the appearance of a fresher melon. Duration
(seeded) is
an excellent
addition to the
product line,
which works
as a pollinator
as well as a great
overall seeded fruit. The recent introduction of
Pollen Pro as a non-producing fruit pollinator
has been used by growers who prefer to grow
more seedless per acre.
Along with onions, watermelons have been
a major South Texas crop for many years.
The farming practices required to produce a
successful crop of watermelons have evolved
over the years, but thanks to better variety
genetics, drip irrigation, plastic and better
crop protection, South Texas will be growing
America’s summertime treat for many years
to come.
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 13
New Personal Watermelons
from Zeraim Gedera
Meir Peretz, Cucurbits-Tomato NAFTA , PBM, meir.peretz@zeraim.com
Zeraim Gedera has been growing personalsized watermelons for the past 8 years. During
this time, Zeraim successfully introduced new
products to the market. Personal-sized fruit
is an attractive choice for American and
Canadian consumers. It is convenient, tasty,
does not take up precious fridge space and
can be consumed in one sitting.
The consumption of personal watermelons has
been growing steadily over the last 5 years. The
demand is greater during the winter and spring
when there is less competition from the local
fruits available during the summer season.
6's and 8's – which are the most coveted by
supermarkets.
YELLOW BITE
This variety of watermelon has yellow flesh and
it is miniature in size. There is no need to buy
a large fruit in order to enjoy the yellow flesh.
It is very tasty and reminiscent of pineapple.
The yellow color is bright and attractive and
offers the consumer a previously unavailable
choice. Yellow Bite also features the desired
sizes of 6's and 8's.
SWEET'N EARLY
Another new, personal-sized watermelon with a
tiger stripe. A dark green stripe on a light green
rind makes it very attractive. This new variety
is delightfully sweet and flavorful. It comes on
the market early when prices are at a premium.
Personal watermelons are a very exciting choice
for the consumer. They handle very easily, they
are small and easy to carry . Kids love it and
get a kick out of it. The fruit can be halved,
sliced or diced. You can even scoop it with a
spoon just like ice cream.
The personal watermelon trend will grow
in the coming years and will depend on the
following factors:
•Consistent: available all-year-round
•Taste: it has to taste as good or better than
a large watermelon
•The profitability of the crop to the grower/
producer
The consumption of personal
watermelons has been growing
steadily over the last 5 years.
The demand is greater during
the winter and spring when
there is less competition from
the local fruits available during
the summer season.
Zeraim Gedera is striving to meet these needs
by introducing our new and exciting personalsized watermelons.
Sweet Bite
Personal watermelons are a
very exciting choice for the
consumer. They handle very
easily, they are small and
easy to carry.
SWEET BITE
An exciting variety with intensely red flesh at
full maturity and a taste and flavor reminiscent
of the large watermelon. Its crimson rind
makes it an attractive fruit for a store display.
Sweet Bite comes in the right sizes –mostly
Yellow Bite
Sweet'N Early
14 |
US Southeast Watermelon Report
Woody Speir, Sales and Product Development Coordinator, woody.speir@zeraim.com
This has been another challenging season for
watermelon growers in the Southeast. Dry
conditions have persisted throughout most of Georgia
and Florida since January. Rainfall deficits have
been common in most of the production regions
with some fields not receiving any rainfall events
between transplanting and harvest. Temperatures
have been higher than normal and this has resulted
in faster maturities with most varieties on an
average of 7 to 10 days earlier.
Florida’s southernmost production began with
lower than normal pricing and average yields
around 30 to 40 thousand pounds per acre.
Jim Stewart, Head of Procurement and Field
operations Manager for Browning & Son’s for the
last 12 years said, “prices started out a few cents
lower than normal for Florida, but movement
was good and remained strong from Florida to
Georgia”. I asked Jim about the quality of this
year’s crop. “The quality was very good this year
with disease pressure at a lower level due to
the overwhelmingly dry conditions experienced
by most growers. Tonnage was good for those
producers who systematically managed their
crop for normal consistent growth and avoided
The field day was a great
opportunity for growers
and those in the industry
to meet Seed Company
representatives and to
see Companies’ various
varieties in the field in
one location. Zeraim
Gedera showcased
3 personal varieties
and 3 large types of
watermelons during the
field day.
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 15
aggressive growing conditions that promoted
rapid vegetative growth. These growers' yields
will average between 40 to 50 thousand pounds
per acre. There have been very few rejections
from the retailer this season. Bruising has been
the most common issue faced so far, and this
was mainly the result of harvesting crews in
short supply aggressively handling the crop”.
Have you noticed any trends in demand for
certain sizes of watermelon?
“Demand for 45 and 60 count fruit is definitely
up. We are seeing more demand for 60 count
fruit , however when 60’s are short, 45’s will ship.
There is less demand from our customers for 36
count fruit and we only need a small percentage
of this size to fill their orders”. To address this
issue, Jim offers Browning & Son’s growers a
recap of their last year’s production statistics each
year prior to starting the new crop. The statistics
cover each grower’s individual production and
tell the grower what percentage of various fruit
counts he is producing. If a grower is producing
too many 36 count fruit, Jim helps the grower
modify his production system in order to move
the size distribution towards more 45 and 60
count fruit which are in higher demand.
What disease issue do you think is most important
that producers are dealing with today?“
Fusarium. While we have some issues with gummy
stem, downy mildew and Anthracnose, growers
have options for dealing with those problems
with crop protection materials. With Fusarium,
rotation is the current best option for growers
where problems are occurring. Unfortunately,
Fusarium is becoming an issue in more areas in
Georgia and Florida and growers will need varieties
with tolerance or other solutions to deal with this
growing issue”. Browning & Son’s of Madison Florida
ship more than 2000 truckloads of watermelons
each year from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
Indiana, Delaware, Missouri and Mexico.
ZERAIM GEDERA PARTICIPATES IN
SIEGERS FIELD IN TIFTON, GA.
Jason Weaver, Product Development Specialist SE
Region for Siegers seed company organized a field
day on June 7th in Tifton Georgia on the farm of
Johnny Davis. Seed Companies in attendance were
Sakata Seeds, Hollar Seeds, Syngenta Seeds and
Nunhems Seeds. Also attending and representing
Siegers Seed Company were Roy Pearman, Karl
Sauter, Jamie Scholten, Darren Deal and Jim Elam.
The field day was a great opportunity for growers
and those in the industry to meet Seed Company
representatives and to see Companies’ various
varieties in the field in one location. Zeraim Gedera
showcased 3 personal varieties and 3 large types
of watermelons during the field day. The large
types were Sugar Heart, Sugar Coat and Crisp
N Sweet. Sugar Heart continues to perform very
well in the Southeast this season. Growers again
are seeing very high yields and vigorous vines
that have served to help keep fruit protected
from sunburning. Sugar Heart is a large type
watermelon variety that is highly adapted to the
Southeast and has a maturity of 85 days. It has
wide adaptability throughout the East coast and
is a consistent performer each year. Sugar Coat
is also performing well this season throughout
Florida and Georgia. Sugar Coat has a maturity
of 88 days and also offers vigorous vine growth.
It has very good setting potential and growers
have found it makes a good complimentary
variety to Sugar Heart because of the 3 to 4
day later window of harvest. Crisp N Sweet is
the earliest large type offered by Zeraim Gedera
and matures in approximately 82 days. It has
very high yield potential and consistent uniform
fruit shape. The personal watermelons exhibited
were Sweet and Early, Sweet Bite, and the new
personal watermelon variety. Sweet and Early
has a tiger-stripe rind pattern and produces 5
to 8 lb. fruit. It has good cool setting ability and
sets 2.5 to 3 fruit per plant on average. Internal
quality is good with red and firm flesh. Sweet
Bite has a crimson rind pattern and produces 5
to 8 lb. fruit. It has good setting potential and
good fruit shape uniformity. The new personal
watermelon variety has a tiger-stripe rind pattern
and slightly thinner rind than Sweet and Early.
It also produces both 6 and 8 count fruit sizes
and offers very good internal flesh characteristics
such as deep red flesh and firmness. A special
thanks to Mr. Johnny Davis of Tifton Georgia for
hosting the field day.
GEORGIA WATERMELON QUEEN –
JENNA SAXON
The 2011 Georgia Watermelon Queen, Jenna
Saxon, made a visit to the field day and spent
time with each of the suppliers. Jenna is a
senior at the University of Georgia majoring in
Agriculture communications and doing a great
job representing Georgia’s watermelon industry.
During her reign as queen, Jenna will promote
Georgia watermelons in various locations across
the Southeast at Supermarkets, fairs and festivals
bringing attention to the nutritional benefits of
watermelons and by communicating the economic
value of the crop to Georgia. Jenna will make
an appearance this upcoming July at an Atlanta
Braves baseball game in Atlanta Georgia and will
serve delicious Georgia watermelon slices to fans
before they enter the stadium. After graduation,
she plans on pursuing a career in Public Relations
or Marketing in the Agricultural industry.
16 |
SYMPTOMS
of New Viral Diseases in Tomatoes
and from there it has spread to Hungary, France,
Italy, and Spain, with recent reports indicating
that it has also been found in Morocco. A virus
with almost identical RNA, causing very similar
symptoms has been found in Mexico and it is
called ToMarV – the Tomato Marchitez Virus.
and Peppers in the Mediterranean
Basin and the Ways to Deal with
those Symptoms
Yoel Messika, Head of the Plant Protection Division, Gro N Tec Unit, yoel.messika@zeraim.com
Over recent years, globalization and the
unrestricted movement of plants between
countries and continents have created a
situation in which new diseases transmitted by
vectors are appearing where they have never
been seen before. The new diseases attacking
plants belonging to the Solanum family can
cause severe damage to commercial crops.
Experience tells us that, in the predictable
future, such diseases will soon find their way
into Israeli fields. Therefore, the objective of
this article is to describe the symptoms of those
diseases and provide recommendations on how
to deal with the damage they might cause.
ToCV – Tomato Chlorosis Virus
This disease has exsisted in Israel for a number
of years and has been found in several different
areas, principally in the south of the country. It
has been found in tomato varieties resistant to
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV), grown in
both open fields and shade houses. The reason –
the incubation period of the virus in the plant is
relatively long (several weeks) when compared
with the incubation period
required for the yellow leaf
curl virus. Symptoms of the
ToCV virus will appear only
in those plants (resistant
varieties) not exhibiting the
symptoms of TYLCV.
Symptoms of the Tomato
Chlorosis Virus /Symptoms
usually appear in the form of
chlorosis, reminiscent of that
seen when there is a lack of
magnesium, in the leaves at
the center of the plant. The
symptoms steadily rise up
the plant until they reach the
growing tip. When the plant is
suffering from a high level of
infestation by this virus, the
plant will lose its green color
almost entirely and will take
on a yellowish color (see photograph). Fruits
produced by a plant infested by this virus do
not ripen properly and they have an orange,
rather than a red color (see photos no. 1, 2 & 3).
Virus Transmission / ToCV is transmitted
in a semi-persistent manner by the tobacco
whitefly (which means that this virus is not
transmitted in the same way as the TYLCV). In
other words, after a short peroid of acquisition
by the tobacco whitefly during feeding off the
leaf, it can transmit the virus to other plants
within a period of less than an hour. The
concentration of the virus in the whitefly’s
body drops over time and therefore it loses
the ability to transmit the disease to new
plants after a few days (which is once again,
different from the whitefly’s ability to transmit
the TYLCV throughout its life span).
Symptoms of the Disease / The first symptoms
on plants infected by ToTV are necrotic lesions
on leaf surfaces, which develop into holes
(see photo no. 6). Sometimes, such spots also
appear on the stem surface (see photo no. 7).
Symptoms on the fruit appear in the form of
warts that distort the fruits, which must be
rejected for marketing (see photo no. 5).
Virus Transmission / ToTV is also transmitted
by the tobacco whitefly and one of its close
relatives, the greenhouse whitefly, which is
found primarily in central and northern Europe.
Control of ToTV / Most of the effort invested
in preventing the damage caused by this virus
is directed at preventing contact between the
vector (the tobacco whitefly) and the plant,
because once infected, the plant cannot recover.
1
ToTV – Tomato Torrado Virus
This is another virus attacking plants in the
Solanum family in several European countries.
The virus was first discovered in 2003 in Poland
3
2
4
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 17
Structures covered with 50 mesh nets, without
any openings or tears, serve that purpose very
efficiently. The situation is very different when
growing tomatoes without a 50 mesh covering
and exposed to the tobacco whitefly. In such
circumstances, it is vital to use every possible
means to control the whitefly and to reduce
possible exposure of plants to the whitefly
population to the very minimum. The various
means of control available include chemical
control, covering the soil with yellow plastic
sheets which attract the tobacco whitefly,
covering the plants with agricultural non-woven
fabric for a limited period and biological control.
5
PepMV – Pepino Mosaic Virus
This disease was first discovered in 1974 in
pepino plants in Peru. In 1999, it was discovered
in Holland, from where the virus has spread to
other European countries and at the same time,
to North America. Genetic analysis of this virus
revealed that the virus discovered in Europe
differs from the original virus discovered in Peru
and, in contrast with the original virus, causes
the appearance of clearly visible symptoms on
tomato plants.
Hosts / The first hosts for this virus were the
pepino plants grown commercially in small
quantities in Europe and the Americas. As
noted, the strain discovered in Europe causes
visible symptoms of the disease in tomato
plants. Infestation under controlled laboratory
conditions revealed that symptoms can also
appear in other plants belonging to the Solanum
family (eggplants, potatoes, and peppers).
Disease Symptoms / The symptoms visible in
tomatoes include cessation of growth at the
growing tip, and the plant seems to grind to
a halt. Yellow or brown necrotic patches can
be seen on the leaves close to the growing
tip and those patches look very similar to the
damage caused by hormonal herbicides such
as 2,4–D (see photo no. 4). Patches can also
appear on the stems. Damage to the fruit
appears as spots with different shapes (usually
a ring shape or marble pattern), which remain
orange and do not turn red.
Disease symptoms are most obvious during
the winter, when both temperatures and solar
radiation are low. During the summer, plants can
carry (and distribute) virus particles without any
display of the symptoms of the disease. Typical
symptoms will usually appear two or three weeks
6
7
after the initial infestation of the plant and the
symptoms will be seen along a row of plants
(in a manner similar to other diseases that are
spread mechanically, such as CMM and ToMV).
Spread of the Disease / PepMV is spread
mechanically, primarily by those agro-technical
activities performed for indeterminate varieties
of tomato grown in greenhouses, such as
removing leaves, lowering plants and removing
excess branches. This virus can also survive on
agricultural tools such as the secateurs and knives
used to perform those mechanical activities,
which means that they spread the disease from
infected to healthy plants. Research into the
different facets of the PepMV virus has shown
that it can survive on dry plants for a period
of over three months at temperatures of 18º
C to 20º C. It has also been found that the list
of vectors able to spread this disease includes
the bombus bees used to pollinate flowers.
The PepMV virus can be spread mechanically
in much the same way as many other viruses,
through propagation materials such as seedlings,
or seeds carrying the virus.
Control of PepMV / The basic assumption
made when dealing with viral diseases is that
nothing can be done to heal an infested plant.
Therefore, the primary treatment focus is to
prevent the infestation of any plant in the plot.
That can be achieved by stringent insistence
on the receipt of propagation materials free
of the pathogen and strict monitoring of the
plot throughout the growing season.
If infestation by the virus is discovered, every
possible effort must be made to prevent the
spread of the disease to healthy plants. That
objective can be achieved by isolating the infected
area and the uprooting of all infested plants
(in Europe, the recommendation is to remove
20 plants before and beyond an infected plant)
before they are burned. Strict implementation
of sanitation policies, including disinfecting the
hands, feet, and tools by all those entering the
greenhouse reduces the risk of any spread of
8
the pathogen from more distant areas.
The list of standard preparations used to
disinfect tools or hands includes TSP (a 1%
concentration of Trisodium phosphate) and
Sodium hypo-chloride (better known by its
commercial name – bleach) with a concentration
of 0.5%-1.0% active ingredient.
Given the fact that PepMV survives in the soil
between growing seasons, when the virus is
detected in a structure, it is very important to
ensure the implementation of proper sanitation
measures, including the removal of all plant
residues in the soil and the entire structure,
followed by careful disinfection of the soil
(solar sterilization will be efficient if carried
out in the summer months for a prolonged
period) and of the entire structure using TSP.
Please contact me if you require any further
information: Yoel Messika, Head of the Plant
Protection Division in the GRO N TEC Unit at
the Zeraim Gedera Company.
/ Photos /
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tomato leaves infected with ToCV.
Fruit infected with ToCV.
Tomato leaves infected with ToCV.
PepMV on a leaf showing symptoms similar to
2,4-D injury.
Tomato fruit infected with ToTV.
Tomato leaf infected with ToTV.
Tomato leaf infected with ToTV.
Tomato fruit infected with ToTV.
18 |
Collaboration between Peres Center for Peace
and Zeraim Gedera
Wadea Gazawe, sales and marketing, wadea.gazawe@zeraim.com
"Even as we believe that peace must be
made through official negotiations between
governments, we believe that it also has to
grow from the bottom up - by means of
activities between the two peoples in many
different everyday spheres."
This is how Oren Blonder, Director of Agriculture,
Water and Environment Department, explains
the vision of the Peres Center for Peace when
I meet with him to talk about the newly
formed collaboration between the Center and
Zeraim Gedera.
"This collaboration", Oren explains to me, "is
derived from the vision of the Peres Center
was happy to adopt the suggestion, and they
began putting together the next stages of a
joint work plan.
This is how the bond was formed with Zeraim
Gedera, using the above project to promote
vegetable growing in the Palestinian Authority.
There are a number of good reasons
for carrying out this project:
[1]Increasing demand for marketing vegetables
to Europe
[2]The Europeans are willing to buy the goods
and to give financial support to non-profit
associations in the Palestinian Authority
standard, as well as nurseries. This means that
they have advanced technology and work to
international standards, those required by
the Europeans.
How is the collaboration carried out in
practice?
In order to expose the farmers to the most
advanced know-how, the Peres Center for Peace
holds a series of workshops and training courses
for Palestinian farmers. At the same time, Zeraim
Gedera has initiated and organized a tour for
growers to the model tomato greenhouse on
the Asulin smallholding in Moshav Mivtachim.
During the tour the farmers are shown more
for Peace, which holds that we
The Palestinian Authority farmers have responded
have a common interest in a
very favorably to the tour. Most of them
strong Palestinian economy, and
emphasized that this was the first time that they
since the agricultural sector is of
the greatest significance to the
had seen the special varieties which previously
Palestinian economy, we need to
they had only heard of, and were very grateful
strengthen it." "In other words", he
to Meshek Asulin and Zeraim Gedera for the
adds, "the aim of the collaboration
is to expose Palestinian agriculture Oren Blonder, Peres Center for Peace
fruitful and interesting day.
to modern know-how and to
than 100 different varieties of tomatoes, all of
varieties that are resistant to the "pests without
[3]Seeking out leading varieties of excellent
excellent quality and resistance.
borders" (various viruses and diseases) that are
quality, especially peppers, tomatoes and
characteristic of all countries in the Middle East,
squashes, with exceptional resistances
The Palestinian Authority farmers have responded
regardless of religion, race or sex."
[4]Establishing a non-profit association of
very favorably to the tour. Most of them
academics and agronomists that will promote
emphasized that this was the first time that they
agricultural projects
How did it all start?
had seen the special varieties which previously
[5]These projects reduce the unemployment
In order to initiate the collaboration, the
they had only heard of, and were very grateful
figures in the Palestinian Authority and
Peres Center for Peace contacted Syngenta /
to Meshek Asulin and Zeraim Gedera for the
provide employment for more young people
Zeraim Gedera to request a donation of seeds
fruitful and interesting day.
and assistance in providing exposure to the
[6]Seeking out crops with very advanced
Following the success of the tour, there has
necessary modern know-how. Zeraim Gedera,
technology
been increased interest in promoting and
headed by Amnon Eshet, Head of Zeraim Gedera,
There are indeed greenhouses of a very high
Seasons & Tastes | August 2011 | 19
Pepper & Spice
& Everything Nice
contributing a number of varieties of top-quality
tomato seeds. The stage of implementation
in the fields has begun, with the participation
of the Association of Palestinian Authority
Farmers.
Orit Naim-Pery, Editor, orit.npery@zeraim.com
To complete the picture, I met with Oren in
Jenin. Oren had arranged a meeting with the
Chair of the Jenin Farmers' Association. We
also visited plant nurseries, where we talked
about the different growing stages.
The Zeraim Gedera team is clear on one thing:
in order to put together a conference, it's not
enough to draw a crowd: you have to add a little
spice to it too – and all the more so if the topic
du jour is an overview of the pepper season.
varieties of pepper. For dessert – they were
treated to an appearance by Zvi Yehezkeli,
Channel 10's Arab Affairs correspondent, who
offered his own perspective of current affairs
in the Middle East.
Fro this first stage, different varieties of pepper
and tomato were planted on May 20, and their
fruit will be seen this coming Fall.
The Pepper Conference was held at the Dead
Sea Crown Plaza Hotel, Israel, on May 12, 2011.
About 150 pepper farmers from all over Israel
attended the conference. The conference, which
aimed to sum up a successful season in the
pepper industry, proved to its participants that
with the help of a Company that provides high
quality varieties, combined with agro technical
Gro N Tec: Growing Optimization
and Technology
support, climatic difficulties can be overcome,
thereby chalking up another successful season.
the challenges of the past season and the
solutions for control offerd by the Unit.
Gro N Tec's various activities are part of the
Company's policy of maintaining an ongoing
dialogue with the customer with the aim to
deliver maximum support in order to reap
the greatest benefit from the genetics of
Zeraim Gedera.
And what next?
There is still a lot of work ahead of us, we are
just at the beginning of this collaboration.
First of all, we have to follow up the crops that
we have planted and, with the Palestinians,
learn the next stages of our work together.
We intend to start working with growers
in the Palestinian Authority, to teach them
the profession. We see this as an enjoyable
challenge - working with growers who do not
know the latest working methods and are not
aware of the top-quality varieties that are
resistant to different diseases and viruses.
We will continue to pass-on study material,
lectures, and meetings in the crop fields, with
the help of all the relevant Entities.
I would also like to use this platform to say
that I personally am delighted to have the
privilege of taking part in this project. I am
an optimistic person by nature and I believe
that the project, in collaboration with the
Peres Center for Peace and Zeraim Gedera, will
produce excellent results. I am hopeful that,
with the help of the seeds, we really will be
able to promote the subject of peace, even if
only to a small degree.
People attend conferences to hear about the
latest innovations from industry professionals,
and this time was no exception. Only this time
– participants gleaned information from the real
experts – the farmers. The conference featured
video clips of various farmers giving their opinions
about the different varieties and whether they
would continue to grow them in the future.
Along with the video clips, Zeraim Gedera's
marketing team filled in the professional data
pertaining to each of the species being presented.
Beyond the video clips, which definitely added
spice to the conference, the participants had
the privilege of attending the professional
lecture delivered by Shabtai Cohen of the
Arava R&D Staff, on the subject of the effect
of the discontinuation of nitrous irrigation at
the beginning of the harvest on the various
On top of the aforementioned, the participants
attended a fascinating lecture by Yoel Messika,
Agro Technical Support Unit at Zeraim Gedera,
summarizing Gro N Tec's activity in the
realm of plant protection. Yoel spoke of
As in every conference, in this one as well,
the participants were treated to a delicious
lunch in the Hotel's restaurant as well as to
a useful gift. Those who still wished to enjoy
the Hotel's various facilities stayed behind
after the conference.
We invite you to view the presentation and
the brochure that were distributed at the
conference, which are published on our website:
www.zeraim.com. For further information,
please feel free to contact our marketing
representative in your area.
Laying the Cornerstone
for Zeraim Gedera's
New Headquarters
Amnon Eshet (left), Head of Zeraim Gedera, and Andre Goig, Director of the Europe, Africa and Middle East regions of Syngenta
In last January's edition, as part of an article
about Zeraim Gedera success stories for 2010,
we told you about a major project awaiting
Zeraim Gedera: the Renaissance Project.
Following almost 60 years in its present
headquarters – and primarily in light of the
evolving needs and innovation that progress
engenders, the cornerstone laying ceremony
for the Company's new headquarters – Kibbutz
Revadim – was held on May 17, 2011.
The Renaissance Project
The establishment of Zeraim Gedera's new
headquarters is a major undertaking for the
Company in that it underscores Zeraim Gedera
as an integral part of Syngenta Israel. Just
getting the green light to conduct the project
conveys an explicit message regarding Syngenta's
eagerness to invest in the Company's future.
The ceremony was held in the presence of
senior Syngenta officials and attended by all
members of the Company's Management,
including Amnon Eshet, Head of Zeraim Gedera,
and Andre Goig, Director of the Europe, Africa
and Middle East regions of Syngenta.
To us, this ceremony marks the actual inception
of the project. Indeed, things are moving along
and the air is alive with action.
Syngenta's full cooperation and is founded on
modern management concepts, teamwork and
collaborative efforts. Ten Design, the Interior
Design Company behind the project's conception,
is highly experienced with the planning and
special design of other successful Syngenta
sites and boasts a model that has already
proved itself worldwide.
The project – run by the Company's Assets
Manager, Ziv Beit-Or – is being conducted with
The project is scheduled for completion in the
summer of 2012.