At the forefront of innovation and excellence, we’re proud to introduce the latest additions to our diverse lineup of high-performing radish varieties. Our dedication to delivering premium quality seeds ensures that each variety offers outstanding results for growers and retailers alike.
Introducing Our New Radish Varieties
Our team has been working tirelessly to develop radishes that meet the highest standards of quality and offer unique characteristics.
Here are some highlights:
Robello: A fast-growing, uniform, high-quality hybrid. Ideal for fall through spring
Django: Highly versatile for bunching and processing, very uniform in shape and size, with excellent white internals.
These new varieties will complement our existing stronghold in the market:
Autella: A round red radish perfect for indoor winter cultivation.
Melito: Bright red and round, ideal for bunching.
Danilo: Versatile for cello, slicing, and bunching.
Diego: Flexible for various growing conditions.
Donato: Productive, flexible, and uniform.
Purpella: A round hybrid with an attractive and unique appearance.
Whitella: A white round hybrid suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Why Choose Our Radish Varieties?
Our radishes deliver dependable performance, excellent quality, and adaptability to a range of growing conditions. With options that offer both reliability and market appeal, there’s a variety to fit every grower’s needs.
Supporting Our Growers
We don’t just provide seeds, we provide solutions. From in-depth growing guides to hands-on, personalized support, our team is committed to ensuring your success in every season.
Looking Ahead!
We’re excited about the future of our radish varieties and their potential to shape the market. Explore our latest offerings and discover the difference quality and innovation can make. We look forward to growing success together.
Radish Trials and Insights – Canada and the Northeast USA
Posted on Jun 20, 2025
From Philip Stoffyn – High-Tech Sales & Product Development Specialist.
As we approach the new fiscal year in July 2025, we’re excited to share updates from our radish trials in Canada and the Northeast USA!
Despite a rainy, cool start to the season, our New Jersey trials went well, though a bit delayed. We’re especially eager to showcase new materials to our dealers. Robello showed real promise, and Pepito impressed with strong roots and fast growth. In Michigan, even with tough weather, trials were planted successfully, with Danilo off to a great start.
Shelf life, quality, taste, and fresh appearance remain top priorities. Hazera’s breeders continue to enhance radish varieties for year-round production, supporting evolving market demands for both growers and consumers.
We visited Quebec for the first time with Adam and were excited to see the remarkable progress our varieties are making. Our innovative colors are rapidly gaining market interest, and the indoor radish is also attracting strong attention.
We’re especially excited about expanding Greenhouse Radish with Florella. Radishes may seem simple, but there’s plenty to explore—and we expect strong sales growth. We’ve met passionate new growers and are trialing standout varieties like Robello, Danilo, Donato, Pepito, and Diego.
Here’s to a successful year ahead with our leading radish varieties!
As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, it’s time to extend warm wishes to some remarkable varieties gracing the agricultural landscape. Let’s toast Moonstone, Cali, and Robello – each unique in its own right, contributing its brilliance to the fields and gardens.
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Moonstone
Moonstone, a shining gem in the Hazera family, has captivated growers with its enchanting attributes. Sporting a lustrous white external color, impeccable shape, and uniform size, Moonstone has effortlessly acclimated to diverse growing areas, showcasing its unwavering dependability. As we step into the New Year, let’s celebrate Moonstone’s resilience and applaud its role as a valuable asset in agricultural programs.
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Cali
As the seasons change, so does the spotlight on Cali, a cabbage variety that truly shines. Best suited for cultivation in early spring, summer, and fall, Cali has earned its place in fresh market cabbage programs. With a reputation for high yield potential, uniformity in shape and size, and a compact core boasting exceptional internal fill, Cali is a beacon of excellence. Wishing Cali a prosperous New Year, filled with bountiful harvests and continued resistance to challenges like FoC.
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Robello
In the realm of radishes, Robello stands out as a swift and vibrant contender. This fast-maturing variety presents growers with uniform bulbs characterized by consistent size and shape. Boasting a robust top attachment, ample top length, and a striking red exterior giving way to crisp, white flesh, Robello is a visual and culinary delight. As we embrace the New Year, let’s extend our wishes to Robello, a stalwart companion in both fresh consumption and processing, known for its unwavering resistance to downy mildew.
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Here’s to Moonstone, Cali, and Robello – may the coming year be a tapestry of success, growth, and abundant harvests for these exceptional varieties. Happy New Year!
As we approach the end of 2023, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible support, kindness, and welcoming attitude I have received from our esteemed partners and dealers. Starting as the new representative of Hazera in the Southeast has been a rewarding experience, and your collaboration has made a significant impact.
The fall season marked an exciting beginning for us, showcasing promising Romas and rounds tomato varieties that not only exhibited excellent size, quality, and yield but also boasted high resistance to TYLCV—an essential feature for this time of year in our market, showing very clean and healthy plants under high pressure of whiteflies conditions. Your feedback has been invaluable in driving us in the right direction and shaping our success.
Looking forward to the upcoming Spring season, I am eager to explore new opportunities with our new standard-size watermelon varieties, maintaining the exceptional quality that has become synonymous with Hazera, and anticipate the continued success of our mini watermelons, Excite and Exceed.
As we turn the page to a new chapter, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each of you, for your partnership, and feedback and for contributing to making 2023 a remarkable year for me and our common goals.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments. May the new year bring continued success, growth, and prosperity to us all.
Spring has sprung, and we wanted to take this moment to share with you a few of our newest varieties that we are sure you will love.
First on the list is our Cali cabbage. This early, adaptable variety is perfect for late spring through early autumn seasons in California’s
cabbage-growing regions and autumn through spring for the Yuma area. Cali boasts attractive, well-uniformed heads, good wrapper leaves, and a short core. Its resistance to Foc makes it an excellent choice for growers, and its early and uniform maturity makes it ideal for fresh markets.
Next is our new Robello radish, a fast-growing, uniform, and high-quality hybrid with medium to tall tops and intense red color.
Robello’s multi-purpose usage and resistance to Downy Mildew make it an excellent choice for growers, and its round shape and outdoor
growing system makes it perfect for spring, autumn, and winter seasons.
Moonstone- is our new white long-day onion. Moonstone has a nice globe shape with good paper, as well, as good size and shape
uniformity. This Spanish-type onion has erect tops and a nice white sheen, also, it has good pink root resistance with great storage
capabilities. Moonstone is adaptable for the PNW, Mason Valley, and the San Joaquin Valley.
Last but not least, our seedless mini watermelon, Onza. This is a high-yielding variety with powdery mildew resistance and a strong vine. Onza’s excellent rind-to-flesh ratio makes it an ideal shipper, and its deep red internal color and long shelf life make it a consumer favorite.
We attached pictures of all Four varieties so that you can see them for yourself. If you are interested in any of these varieties or have
any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to help.
Onza, Robello, Cali, Moonstone,
Thank you for your continued business, and we wish you a wonderful and bountiful growing season.
T’is the Season in the Desert Southwest- Full Review
Posted on Dec 14, 2023
An update by Joe Borchard, PD Specialist Desert Southwest
Down in the Desert Southwest region, the weather is starting to cool down and crops are moving slower, all while harvest is speeding up at a rapid pace. The pepper and tomato harvest seasons are at their tail end and the harvest season for the winter crops has commenced.
This season I am looking forward to seeing many new materials within our various portfolio of crops. Crops such as cauliflower, red and green cabbage, radish, peppers, and onion have all been sown and transplanted and will be ready to evaluate as the harvest season progresses from winter to spring crops. This month watermelon sowings begin for the spring and summer harvest season. I am looking forward to seeing what new material we will be advancing and continuing to promote in the desert southwest region.
Some older numbered materials in our pepper portfolio have started to gain more traction from growers and dealers we haven’t worked with in the past. New cauliflower numbers have been transplanted and sown and should start coming off soon and throughout the winter produce season, specifically the main and late seasons.
Evaluations for red and green cabbage have started and I am happy to say that we have some very promising varieties within our portfolio and pipeline that look better than the competition. Cali, our commercial green cabbage variety is better than the competition and is an ideal variety for the fresh market and dual-purpose grower. Our new red cabbage in our pipeline is an ideal variety for fresh market growers and has great holding capacity when the season starts to warm up. Radish trials of new material have been planted in various regions within Arizona and California along with our commercial varieties. Our breeding team is working extensively to find multiple varieties that will work for the whole season and also be corresponding varieties to both Robello and Diego.
Come springtime I will be looking forward to seeing what new onion material we will be able to advance to continue trialing down here in the Desert Southwest for our short-day onion program. Peppers dropped and planted in the winter will also be ready for evaluations in the spring. Our mini watermelon program continues to thrive as our large watermelon is slowly starting to develop. Sowings for watermelons will start this month and transplantings will start later in February all through June.
As the winter season ends in these next few months, I look forward to continuing to see, evaluating, and developing varieties for the spring and summer seasons.
I am pleased and thrilled to extend another invitation to our three field days this year. At the beginning of June, we will be holding two Watermelon Field Days – one in Georgia and another in Yuma, AZ. This year marks the first time we are holding a watermelon field day in Georgia, as we want to accommodate our GA growers and showcase our new upcoming varieties such as conventional, Mini, and Pollinator. This is an opportunity that should not be missed.
Our third Yuma Watermelon Field Day is tentatively scheduled for June 6th, 2023, and after two highly successful events in the past, we are eager to return. Last year, over 150 people were impressed, learned, and amazed by our expert watermelon team, and we highly recommend attending this year’s event to be the first to see our new and improved varieties.
We’re also excited to announce that we will be returning to Woodland this year for two and a half days of field day, where you will have the opportunity to see our Tomato, Watermelon, Sunflower, and Peppers in the field. Additionally, we will have all our new varieties such as Leek, Sunflower, Cauliflower, Onion, and more on display. During lunchtime, we will have a taco truck available for visitors to sit and have a great conversation with us. SIGN UP HERE
We are active on Instagram and Facebook and would be delighted to have more followers and hear your feedback. If you don’t already follow us, please do so today on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on our daily activity in the field.
Another year has come and gone; the ground has been turned over for the last time of the season. As the fields are fallowed for the winter, the greenhouses are heating up. It is a never-ending cycle here in California and that is the beauty of this diverse state. The warmth is leaving the air and brisk air is here, the fall season is coming to an end. Therefore, head to your local grocery store and get the final harvests of all the local cabbage & leeks from Northern California. They’re great to add to any warm stews, stir-fries, and soups as the winter season arrives.
As I finish up my evaluations in the field, I am heading back to my office to get my seed organized and prepared for the greenhouse. Seeds are being sown to prepare for our overwintering and early spring varieties.
This upcoming season I will be showcasing our leek variety Autora & Vigora in my trailing. Autora has a great tight fan, and the leaves are very erect. It has great uniformity and a good percentage of white on its shank. It would be an excellent variety to rotate in your crop production. Vigora Is also an excellent variety within our portfolio. It shows good size and excellent uniformity. Slightly more green color within the leaves so we have all traits you would ever need for your leek growing needs. Both varieties take around 115-140 days depending on the time of year they are planted. Also keep an eye out for new varieties in our development pipeline. We’re consistently getting new varieties to trial in addition to these great commercial varieties.
I am looking forward to another exciting year working with our amazing team in bringing forward the best Hazera pipeline we can offer in all our crops. Remember to think Hazera in the planning of your upcoming season. We have all your needs from the sweetest personal watermelons on the market to the most bountiful and delicious specialty tomatoes.
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions about our high-quality portfolio. Discover what Hazera has in store for you today!
In today’s world, we are witnessing a global trend of rising production costs and a shortage of labor. At Hazera, we are proud to present ‘Tomatoes that Work for You’, a new umbrella concept encompassing a range of tomato varieties designed to address the key challenges faced through the entire chain, such as a significant increase in production costs, labor shortage and sustainable agriculture. We sat with Arno Van Staden, Regional Product Manager for Tomato, to better understand the concept of “Tomatoes that Work for You.”
Arno Van Staden: “At Hazera, we strive to develop tomato varieties that address the challenges faced by growers, retailers, and consumers alike. With our unique advantages, we aim to provide an innovative solution that improves efficiency, reduces waste, and enhances the overall experience for everyone involved in the tomato supply chain and Camelot is exactly that variety”, says Van Staden.
Among the main advantages for the Grower: Our tomato varieties come with a wide resistance package, some, such as Pendragon even include ToBRFV intermediate resistance, offering growers peace of mind against common diseases. Additionally, our varieties offer flexibility in workforce management, making it easier for growers to manage their labor resources efficiently.
One of the significant benefits for growers is the potential for up to 30% savings on manual labor due to our varieties’ efficient harvesting capabilities. With fewer unmarketable fruits, growers can expect a higher marketable yield, resulting in increased profitability. Moreover, our tomatoes ripen on the plant, enabling fast and efficient picking. This, combined with the ability to stretch harvest frequency up to 14 days on average, provides growers with greater flexibility and productivity.
Among the main advantages for the Retailer: Our tomato variety Camelot possess a long shelf-life and excellent firmness, reducing waste and ensuring that the product remains in optimal condition for a more extended period. With its red shiny skin and high brix levels, our tomatoes offer an appealing appearance that attracts consumers. Additionally, the uniform fruit size and weight throughout the growing season provide consistency and convenience for retailers in terms of packaging and display.
Among the main advantages for the Final Consumer: Consumers can expect superior quality and taste from our tomatoes. The longer storage capabilities of our varieties mean that consumers can enjoy the excellent flavor for an extended period. With our tomatoes, consumers can savor the taste they love for much longer, enhancing their overall satisfaction.
East Coast demo fields “Exceed” Expectations and more!
Posted on Jun 18, 2023
We sat with our very own Yair Askira, Regional Product Manager Pepper and Watermelon, to learn more and get the latest update on our watermelon and pepper varieties.
“Developing new plant varieties plays a crucial role in meeting the demands of both growers and consumers. New varieties should offer increased productivity, plants that provide more growing adaptability, and improved disease resistance”, says Askira. Here are our up-and-coming select varieties that truly do make a difference in our market:
Lamuyo pepper Monfort is our latest pepper. It is a TSWV-resistant variety that has shown exceptional performance in California. It has a robust plant that has impressive adaptability and is very productive. Monfort is rapidly becoming a favorite for CA Lamuyo growers, as it offers the option of multiple harvests throughout the season and the fruit has thick walls and excellent firmness.
As for Watermelons, we are EXCITEd to share that there are several varieties that indeed EXCEED our expectations:
On the East Coast, our demonstration plots of mini watermelons have yielded impressive results. One of the standout performers is the Exceed variety which has a crimson rind pattern. Exceed truly delivers outstanding performance in terms of flavor and texture.
Additionally, Excite, which is also a crimson variety, proves to be an excellent choice. The East Coast trials have underscored the potential of these varieties and their suitability for different market preferences.
Watermelon growers in California and Mexico face increasing challenges from powdery mildew (PM), which negatively impacts crop quality and yields. To address this issue, our new watermelon variety Onza has been introduced. Onza is a tiger-type, personal-size watermelon which provides strong tolerance to powdery mildew. It has vigorous vines that offer excellent cover for the fruit and is very productive. The fruit has intense red flesh, which is firm, crisp, and exceptionally tasty. As damage from PM becomes more prevalent, the demand for resistant varieties is on the rise. With its excellent quality, vigorous plant growth, and resistance to powdery mildew, Onza is set to make a significant impact in the watermelon industry.
What’s next? You may ask. According to Askira, “We have now focused our breeding efforts on developing conventional-sized seedless watermelon varieties that will provide the same high-quality internal attributes as our minis”. We aim to strike the perfect balance between size, taste, and texture. We are planning to conduct extensive trials in the upcoming season to ensure their viability on a larger scale. By refining these varieties through rigorous testing, we strive to offer growers superior options for meeting market demands.
In conclusion, the introduction of Lamuyo Monfort pepper and Onza tiger-type watermelon has injected new possibilities into the vegetable-growing landscape. With their disease resistance, impressive yields, and superior quality, these varieties have garnered attention from growers in California and beyond.
As the industry continues to evolve, the pursuit of innovative plant breeding techniques will pave the way for even more remarkable varieties that meet the diverse needs of growers and consumers alike.
The future of onion is here- annual onion week tour in Brawley
Posted on Jun 18, 2023
We sat with Santiago, Product Manager Allium & Crucifers in the Americas, to discuss and learn more about his experience at our annual onion week tour in Brawley, which took place in early May. Brawley is located in the heart of the Imperial Valley and serves as one of the primary production areas for Short Day onions in the USA. This region plays a vital role in supplying the market with fresh onions, particularly between April and June.
Hailing from Argentina, Santiago Berger is responsible for overseeing Onion, Leek, Radish, and Cabbage across the American continent. Additionally, Santiago also holds global responsibility for Hazera’s portfolio of Short Day Onions (Yellows and Whites), Long Day Spanish Onions, and Radishes for open field low density.
Santiago Berger
During this week, the Hazera team embarked on a tour that encompassed visits to customers and growers, evaluations of trials, and discussions on market trends and our overall portfolio. The tour brought together the breeding, marketing, sales, and development teams, emphasizing the importance of seamless communication and continuous collaboration to ensure high-quality work.
Together with our dealers and growers, we had the opportunity to witness the exceptional performance of three of our new varieties that have been garnering remarkable results in the region. Leading the pack is Toro Rosso (Red), closely followed by Joelino (Yellow) and Cisne Blanco (White), offering growers diverse options in terms of color.
Furthermore, our DV trials have been showcasing exciting varieties in yellow, red, and white, which will continue to bolster our portfolio, not only in the USA but also in markets worldwide. Moreover, our breeding trials provided a glimpse into the future of our company.
“The exchange between our team, dealers, and growers holds immense value for Hazera. It enables us to gain a deeper understanding of market needs and receive feedback on our work and the direction we are heading”, says Berger.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us during this week, allowing us to showcase our ongoing efforts and what Hazera brings to the market. Thank you all for your support, and we look forward to continuing our journey together.
I’m excited to write to you after being appointed General Manager USA & Canada at Hazera. I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself, share how excited I am to be joining Hazera and the seed industry, and share my commitment to healthy and prosperous business relationships.
I come from the cut flower industry with nearly a decade of experience in agriculture, most recently as the COO at a distributor in the Tri-state area. Before that, I held several commercial roles in Ecuador and the US at a large flower grower.
The decision to work for Hazera was an easy one once I met with its upper management to gain a better insight into the growing market opportunities we have here, the solutions and returns our genetics offer to farmers, and the high-quality vegetable varieties we supply to the world. On a side note, after working my whole professional career with flowers, transitioning to the seed business meant no more Valentine’s Day madness this year. I did not miss that!
All jokes aside, when I visited our headquarters, high-tech labs, and seed production facilities in both The Netherlands and Israel, I was truly impressed with the sophistication of the business and state-of-the-art equipment. But what amazed me most about the vegetable seeds business during my first couple of months: The people. From my colleagues globally and our local team here in the USA to our friendly competitors, business partners, and beloved customers, everybody has been exceptionally friendly and helpful.
Speaking about our customers, I’ve had the chance to meet many of you already in person during events such as the ASTA, NWA, and CSA. Whether I spoke with a dealer, packer/shipper, or grower, everyone was equally passionate and open to sharing their opinion with me. This has helped tremendously in getting up to speed with the industry’s needs and best practices. Thank you for that and keep it coming!
Even though we are officially living in a post-pandemic world, as an industry, we are still dealing with the aftermath. Though fellow seed companies raised their prices mid-year, we decided not to because most of our customers, you the dealers, had their grower prices already locked in until the end of the year. To stabilize our double-digit business cost increases this year, a relatively steep price hike will be inevitable starting on July 1st. (Remember: Limagrain, our parent company, is French and our fiscal year starts then).
As much as you understand how economic factors influence our decision-making, we understand how environmental factors like droughts and flooding in California, early Spring frost in Georgia, or hurricanes in Florida, affect you and your customers’ decision-making. It’s all about a mutual understanding between us as a seed supplier and you as the dealer and the grower.
Thank you for taking the time to read my short introduction. I look forward to more in-person meetings with many of you in the coming months.
As part of our product development process in Hazera, we are conducting large screening trials throughout the east and west coasts looking at large numbers of new hybrids to find varieties that can bring value to the whole food chain.
For radish that are grown for pre-pack, we conduct screening trials in the most relevant radish markets. For Florida, we are looking for varieties with round globe shapes medium-tall tops (weed control), early maturity, and skins that can retain their color through the vigorous wash process that is used for cello production. In the Midwest, our focus is on round globe-shaped radishes with a short top and early maturity, as well as strong tolerance to Rhizoctonia and downy mildew, which is a problem for radish producers in that area. For both areas, the tops must be erect and have a strong connection so that the harvester can pull the bulbs from the ground and must not crack during growth or after harvest. They also need high-quality internals, with nice, white interiors that do not have any bleeding or pithiness.
For radishes grown for fresh market bunching, we look for varieties that have good uniformity in bulb shape and size, early maturity, and tops that are tough enough to endure blowing dust or heavy rains, which can scar and perforate the leaves, making the bunches unsuitable for the market.
In our watermelon program, we are now focusing on finding a conventional-size seedless variety that can bring value with high-quality internal values, an attractive rind, high yield with a good percentage of 45-count fruit. We are looking also for plants that are strong and provide good cover for the fruit and are tolerant to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew. In addition to these attributes, we also select for attractive, red flesh color, the absence of hard seeds and a hollow heart, and of course, high sugar with excellent taste. We conduct screening trials in the southeast, as well as the southwest, looking for varieties that fit each markets growing conditions.
For our tomato program for the east coast, we are trialing new determinate hybrids that have improved tolerance against foliar diseases along with resistance to TSWV, TYLCV, and Fusarium 3, along with many other common diseases. We are looking for high yields of high-quality fruit with weights of at least 140 grams, and no puffiness.
For the west coast, this spring we are conducting our first field trials in the United States of our newly developed determinate saladette which has resistance to both TSWV, and ToBRFV. This variety has performed well in our research trials in other markets and are excited to see how it will perform for us here in our markets.
In Hazera, we tend to put the spotlight on our successful products, yet their success starts with the People of Hazera: the truly committed and passionate experts who make it all happen on a daily basis. Meet Netta Doitch (43), our Global Lead Tomato Breeding from Mefalsim, a small Kibbutz in the southern part of Israel. It seems as though it was meant to be- the daughter of a flower and strawberry farmer, Netta (meaning “a young plant” in Hebrew), was destined for a life in agriculture.
Figure 1- Netta Doitch, Global Lead Tomato Breeding Hazera
When she was young, she gladly helped her dad around the farm and without knowing it performed “cuttings” from a very young age, removing a small part of the plant’s stem, and replanting it together with a “rooting hormone”, to receive a genetically identical plant. “I always enjoyed agronomy and loved visiting agricultural events. When I was in high school, I recall reading in the newspaper about a successful “breeding” of red and blue bananas and decided, even though I did not know what “breeding” was, that this is what I wanted to do for a living. Netta went on to get her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with specialization in Genetic Breeding and Biotechnology and later fulfilled her dream to become a breeder, doing so with a true feeling of love and chosen destiny.
Netta has been with Hazera since 2009, when she started out as Tomato Breeder Assistant. Two years later she became an Associate breeder and led the determinate heat set tomatoes and indeterminate round open field tomato projects. Approximately 12 years later, she is now, the Global Lead Tomato Breeding; and amongst her many projects she also leads the breeding projects of the Indeterminate Round Open Field (IROF) tomatoes.
“What is a common myth or preconception about your job or field of expertise?”
“It seems as though everybody believes that breeding ruins the taste in vegetables”. Nowadays she just explains to whoever asks that she works in Tomato Genetics without transgenic interference.
Figure 2- Simply working in “Tomato Genetics”
“In your opinion, what is the most important personality trait/strength someone would need to work in your industry/be successful in your job?”
According to Netta, being a good breeder requires super focus on the goal, you have to ‘breathe’ breeding every day, the plant dictates your work and not vice versa. Netta also highlights the constant change of environments in a breeder’s life: “You can say that I wear two hats: “In winter, you can find me all neat and dressed up in office clothing, whereas in summer you could hardly recognize me, as I’m all covered in plant parts, soil, and remains of tomatoes.” In other words, you have to be highly adaptable and “passionate” about your field of work.
Figure 3- A day in the life of a breeder
“Tell us about a project you’re really proud of and why”
“I’m really proud of our Giga tomato, part of the IROF project in Brazil. When examining where we started and where we are at today, it is truly amazing!”. In the beginning of the project, we started out with zero resistance but very strong and vegetative plant genetics. The genetic change and adding the required disease we achieved was truly significant. The variety Giga in Brazil has excellent firmness, size, and unique array of resistances.
Figure 4- Project start: totally burned plants in Brazil
We went from totally “burned” plants, changed the selection method and started doing selections in the region, which was a major change in the way we work.
Figure 5- One of many hybrid evaluation field trials. Brazil 2012
For more than ten years, together with Arno Van Staden, Tomato Regional Product manager in Marketing, we studied the Brazilian market and trends ,we built a breeding platform in Brazil from scratch which gave us the boost for high level of Xct-resistant plant without compromising all other quality traits.
Figure 6- Climbing each and every obstacle together. With Arno Van Staden
This success story of Giga is a remarkable example of great cooperation between R&D and Marketing”, Netta goes on to say: “We walked it hand in hand, with top synchronization that greatly contributed to the success of the project”. On top of everything, we have succeeded in creating excellent genetic material for other markets as well.
Figure 7- GIGA variety “Has Quality” launch 2022
“Tell us something about you that most people don’t know”
I like to cook but I don’t like fresh tomatoes- I prefer cucumbers. Also, I recently got my kibbutz’s “annual entrepreneur for the community” award for the farm work I do at my home village/
Figure 8- Volunteer work farming for her community with the next generation
This short glimpse into Netta’s life and daily work truly showcase that breeding does run in one’s DNA.
Want to know more about our people?
Follow us on our social media channels to stay connected with our Hazera people! If you have any questions left, don’t hesitate to ask them via our contact page!
Hazera launches ToBRFV resistant varieties in Mexico
Posted on Nov 08, 2022
Hazera launches ToBRFV resistant varieties in Mexico
After having announced the pipeline of its ToBRFV resistant varieties, Hazera is proud to launch its first resistant varieties for the Mexican market and showcase them at the most important event for agriculture in Latin America- EXPO AgroAlimentaria Guanajuato® 2022 in Mexico.
ToBRFV launch
ToBRFV is very noticeable in Mexico and growers have been faced with diminished yields and battered fruit. ToBRFV is a huge problem for tomato production, affecting the yield and fruit quality with coloring issues and brown spots on fruits impacting directly on the marketable yield.
Since ToBRFV hit tomato growers worldwide, Hazera’s R&D team has been working tirelessly, for several years, to find varieties capable of giving an effective level of ToBRFV resistance without compromising the yield and fruit quality. “These efforts included in-depth trials in many locations, under different conditions in a global scale, to confirm that we are able to provide solutions, with the right balance between performance and ToBRFV protection”, according to Alejandro Szechtman, Hazera’s Portfolio Marketing Director.
With the optimal balance between protection and performance, Canelo, one of Hazera’s tomato varieties with resistance to ToBRFV, is an indeterminate Roma type with a vigorous plant, which maintains a balanced yield under adverse environmental conditions, due to its wide array of resistances. “Through vast trialing of Canelo in most regions of Mexico, including San Luis Potosi, Baja California, Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Coahuila, Canelo provides high yield, excellent fruit quality, good maturation with an intense red color, as well as excellent firmness, maintaining L and XL sizes with average weights of 150 to 160 grams throughout the production cycle”, according to Javier Angulo- Product Development Manager, Mexico.
“Canelo”
Canelo is a very productive variety, ideal for growing in a net house or greenhouse. Additionally, with its ToBRFV resistance, Canelo is able to serve the Mexican grower as an effective tool to face the highly infectious virus, which is supported by local growers, who claim that “Canelo is a very strong and healthy plant with outstanding high fruit quality.”
Looking forward, “Hazera is continuing its efforts to provide effective varieties to better cope with ToBRFV on a global scale and, in Mexico, will launch several new varieties, including the up and coming, new Indeterminate Grape Tomato, ‘Pendragon’, a variety that combines ToBRFV IR resistance with high yield, long shelf life, and good taste, following our commitment to provide growers varieties with the optimal balance between protection and performance,” says Alejandro Szechtman.
Fresh from the field: Three key trends in crop farming
Posted on Oct 20, 2022
Humans have been farming crops for millennia – but the goal remains the same: to feed people. Of course, farming practices have advanced dramatically in the past few centuries, and global pressures continue to drive rapid change in the industry.
Reinout de Heer, Global Product Manager Allium, explores three key trends shaping crop farming and discusses how Hazera’s expertise is paving the way for a more sustainable industry future.
Mechanization momentum
Higher labor costs and decreasing labor availability are leading many farmers to consider mechanical harvesting and other new technologies.
We’re seeing mechanization trends take hold in places like the Netherlands, the UK, and California, in relation to a wide range of produce. However, with crops such as onions, it’s clear that hand-harvesting means a higher quality product with less damage.
This is what makes research into developing new varieties so important. At Hazera, we’re working to test new crop varieties to ensure farmers can invest in the technologies they need, knowing their harvest won’t suffer.
Chemical control compliance
With tightening environmental regulation, many growers are looking for alternatives to traditional pesticides and fungicides.
Biostimulants are a popular option for Hazera’s customers, being applied to seeds to make plants stronger and more resistant to disease. Product quality can also be boosted through seed pelleting, which creates more rounded seeds, and priming, which means up to five days’ less germination time in the field.
Local logic
Harvested crops have long been shipped around the world; however, increases in container transport costs are putting pressure on global food systems. Environmental awareness is meanwhile on the rise, as ‘buy local’ or ‘eat seasonal’ become important consumer trends.
At Hazera, we help farmers achieve year-round production with varieties that have good storability and shelf-life properties. Developments in leeks, for instance, which traditionally deteriorate quickly once harvested, are making a big difference. More flexible crop varieties can help customers reduce transport costs, carbon emissions, and food waste, all at once.
Support from the ground up
Around the world, Hazera works in close cooperation with farmers of all kinds of crops to respond effectively to emerging trends. Through trials and other research, we address the industry’s most pressing challenges and develop seed solutions to help agriculturalists – and their plants – thrive.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to see how we can support you!
The food industry isn’t short of challenges right now. Growers face rising fertilizer prices and the effects of climate change, while food providers are dealing with increased transportation costs and low consumer sentiment.
Thankfully, innovators have developed a range of solutions to combat these difficulties and bring agriculture into the 21st century. These four are firmly on our radar …
1. Mechanization
Humans have been mechanizing agriculture for centuries, but recent advances are particularly sophisticated. One exciting development is the advent of “grippers” – advanced robotics that can pick up and hold food like a human hand. For packaging materials that need to be folded sharply, fruit picking, and other manual work, grippers are set to revolutionize the industry.
2. The Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT is infiltrating almost every sector – and agriculture is no exception. By integrating sensors, drones, satellite imaging, and intelligence-based autonomous systems, farmers can obtain more granular insights than ever before – and use this information to grow food more efficiently and sustainably.
For example, farms can use sensors to detect nitrogen levels in crops and combine this with satellite data to produce a variable rate application (VRA) map. This can be uploaded to a smart tractor, which then automatically disperses fertilizer according to the varying nitrogen levels across the field.
3. Sustainable Food and Packaging
With agriculture making up 11% of GHG emissions, scientists have been looking for sustainable alternatives – especially when it comes to proteins. Some companies have developed plant-based proteins that mimic the properties of traditional meat, while others are working to perfect lab-grown meat.
Mycoproteins (protein from mushrooms) can also be used to make meat substitutes. What’s more, our fungal friends are the basis for a new type of packaging. This uses 12% of the energy consumed in plastic production and emits 90% less carbon dioxide. Crucially, the product also decomposes within 30-90 days.
4. AI-driven vertical farming
Vertical farming is growing! The market is set to expand by 25.2% annually this decade. In this exciting new field, innovative companies are deploying artificial intelligence to streamline the growing process. This high-tech approach allows 40% more plants per growing area, saves up to 95% of the water used by traditional processes, and has a 30-40% higher growth rate.
As the world experiences another agricultural revolution, Hazera is by your side. Contact us today to see how we can help.
Hazera announces varieties with intermediate resistance (IR) to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in pipeline
Hazera is proud to announce the launch of our ToBRFV intermediate resistant varieties- the optimal balance between protection and performance– providing the grower an effective tool to face the highly infectious virus, infecting tomato plants, fruit and affecting growers worldwide. The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus poses a constant threat to growers worldwide, significantly reducing yields, affecting the quality of fruit, and systematically infecting other plants, as it is a very transmittable virus that can infect through soil, tools, water, and people’s contact.
Since ToBRFV hit, Hazera’s R&D team has been working tirelessly to find varieties capable of giving an effective level of ToBRFV resistance without compromising the yield and fruit quality we’ve invested years to perfect. Over the course of several years, Hazera researchers and agronomists invested endless resources to find solutions to address our growers’ needs worldwide. Moreover, according to Alejandro Szechtman, Hazera’s Portfolio Marketing Director, “These efforts included in-depth trials in many locations, under different conditions in a global scale, to confirm that we are able to provide the optimal solutions, with the right balance between performance and ToBRFV protection”.
Hazera is proud to announce a wide ToBRFV resistant variety pipeline worldwide, with which we will be able to tailor-make the optimal solution per market requirement, beginning with Italy, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Turkey, Israel etc’.
Hazera, through Limagrain’s upstream research, contributed to a network of internal and external collaborative discovery projects on ToBRFV using different approaches. This resulted in Limagrain being the first company to file a patent on ToBRFV resistance in tomato in 2017. While the first generation of tomato hybrids resistant to ToBRFV is being commercialized, Limagrain discovery programs continue to work intensively to find resistances against potential emergent more aggressive forms of this devastating virus.
“Our R&D efforts haven’t ended, we’re still investing to achieve higher resistance, and expand our portfolio to the benefit of growers worldwide,” said Szechtman.
Hazera is a global leader in the seed industry. Hazera has headquarters in both the Netherlands and Israel. We operate subsidiaries in 11 countries, together with a distribution network serving over 130 markets. Our partners operate in all kinds of climates, and under diverse growing conditions and market requirements. For over a century, our top priority has been walking alongside them, developing an enormous variety of seeds and providing comprehensive support every step of the way. Hazera’s team of experts works directly with growers to evaluate their needs, assist during variety selection and provide guidance and support throughout the crop cycle.
Hazera is part of the Limagrain Group, an international agri-business based in France. Being a farmers’ cooperative, the Limagrain Group understands the needs of its customers and has grown to become the largest seed company in Europe, specialising in vegetables, field crops and cereal products. Limagrain’s vegetable seed division is the second largest company in the industry.
by Dr. Yaniv Rotem – Solanaceae Pathologist, Hazera
General background
The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus – ToBRFV – is a relatively new viral disease, first appearing in the Middle East in 2014. The disease has since spread rapidly to many other areas in the world, and currently constitutes a major global problem in tomato crop production worldwide.
In Israel, all tomato production areas have been severely affected by ToBRFV, and the effects of the disease are evident both in the tomato greenhouses and fields, and in the quality and appearance of the fruits which are sold.
Symptoms of the disease
As a rule, the symptoms of the disease are similar to the typical symptoms of ToMV, but the severity of the symptoms can differ from that known with ToMV:
In the leaves – a mosaic appears, which is particularly noticeable on young leaves and at the growth vertices. In some cases, there is narrowing of the leaflet blade, and in certain cases the leaves become entirely threadlike (“shoestrings”).
In the fruit – yellow spots develop which become necrotic at a later stage. In some cases, “chocolate spots” appear on the fruit. In cases of severe damage, the fruit becomes wrinkled and distorted. The virus name (“Brown Rugose Fruit”) was given due to the wrinkled appearance together with the brown spots.
Note that in contrast to the characteristic situation when affected by ToMV, in which symptoms generally appear in the fruit only in cases of particularly severe damage to the foliage, in the case of ToBRFV – there is no connection between the severity of damage to the fruit and severity of damage to the foliage: there are situations in which serious damage to the fruit is observed while no symptoms appear on the leaves, or vice versa – cases of severe symptoms in the foliage and lack of symptoms in the fruit.
In certain cases – necrosis develops of the calyx of the fruit, the fruit peduncle, and the central spine of the cluster of fruit.
When a susceptible variety is infected with ToBRFV, the main damage is a significant weakening of the plant and its capability to produce clusters of fruits over a long season.
In the wake of the viral infection, tomato cultivation in Israel has changed entirely: due to the weakening of the plants, growers currently have almost no possibility to grow tomatoes in a long central season of 9-10 months as was customary before the virus’s appearance; instead, shorter growing seasons of 4-5 months are now customary, intended for harvesting a few clusters only.
Symptoms on leaves – severe mosaic and narrowing of some of the leaf lobes, to the point of appearing “thready”
Severe symptoms in the fruits
Symptoms of necrosis in the calyx, fruit peduncle and the spine of the cluster
Weakening of the plant as a result of viral infection in a susceptible variety (on right) compared to a variety that is largely similar to it but is resistant to the virus (on left).
How is the disease transmitted?
ToBRFV is very easily transmitted mechanically – by human contact, by work tools, support wires, or any entity that comes in physical contact with an infected plant or soil that contains the virus and later comes in contact with healthy plants. It is important to remember that particles of this virus are particularly resistant to environmental conditions, and are capable of surviving for long periods in soil or on infected surfaces.
Since the virus is capable of surviving in soil for a long period – the virus is also transferred with infected soil that is moved from one place to another (by sticking to shoes, to work tools that are moved from one plot to another, etc.).
The virus is transmitted in seeds – a seed produced from an infected plant is likely to carry virus particles on its surface.
The virus can also be transmitted by bumble bees, which serve to pollinate during the cultivation process.
Prevention and treatment
Since the outbreak of the disease, Hazera together with Limagrain Group have been working on a comprehensive study of the issue, in which tomato varieties with intermediate levels of resistance to the virus were developed. The first patent in the world for resistance to ToBRFV was registered by Limagrain in 2017. Using these varieties provides an optimal solution for growing tomatoes in conditions of infections with ToBRFV, while maintaining the varieties performance.
Observing phytosanitary rules is key to preventing the disease:
Making sure to have clean clothes, jackets and gloves for those entering the greenhouses.
Making sure to sterilize all equipment used.
Sterilizing shoes in an immersion pit upon entrance to the greenhouse.
Being strict about the order in which buildings are entered – the workday begins with the buildings housing the young, healthy plants and continues to the buildings housing the more mature plants.
Plants in which infection is discovered should be immediately removed from the greenhouse, being careful to avoid contact with neighboring plants.
Using healthy seeds and seedlings is another key to preventing the disease. Hazera is strict about performing health tests in licensed laboratories, according to international standards and the Plant Protection Services. Checking that seeds are free of ToBRFV is done by the ISHI Protocol, which is the international protocol accepted throughout the world.
Being strict about good sanitization – sterilizing the soil or growth medium and the greenhouse space when cultivation is completed.
What Plant Viruses Can Teach Us About Human Viruses – COVID-19
Posted on Oct 02, 2021
Written by: Dr. David Levy,
Plant Pathologist, Hazera
Globalization of our world over the past several decades has driven a huge increase in the global movement of biological material, providing numerous opportunities for the spread of diseases in a relatively short time. (more…)
First virtual field experience – Live from Woodland, California
Posted on Oct 02, 2021
Hazera USA team is very excited to invite you to participate in our first Virtual field tour “live” from Woodland, California, and experience varieties from the comfort of your home, office, or home-office.
The virtual tour is an alternative to our yearly open field days, taking pace every August in Woodland.
In light of the evolving Corona-virus situation, our commitment is to ensure safety of our team and customers, therefore, we have decided to cancel our planned 2020 open days in the fields and replace it with online experience.
Save the date:
August 11th at 9am (PST)
How to join?
Follow our Hazera USA Facebook (LINK) page and be online connected on Tuesday, August 11th at 9am PST (available on any device).
During the tour you will be introduced to what is new and exciting in Hazera’ product range, and will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas and comments with our experts from the field.
We thank you for your continued support, especially during these challenging times and look forward to welcoming you to our Woodland field soon!
Brassica (the short name of the Brassicaceae family) is a collection of crops that initially originated in moderate climate zones, but through breeding and selection, can now be grown in a wide range of climates. (more…)
In our 2nd Annual Open Days in USA (Woodland, California) we felt so privileged to meet and greet hundreds of visitors who responded with boundless enthusiasm. Together with Sales Managers and PD Specialists the visitors toured the field, got a comprehensive explanation of our crop roster and were the first to test new varieties in our crop collections.
Hazera offers varieties in a wide range of crops, including tomato, watermelon, onion, pepper, headed cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, melon, cucumber, radish, leek and lettuce.(more…)
Hazera is the worldwide market leader in round radish. It has reached this position by breeding this crop actively since several decades, focusing on innovation and a well-chosen range of key traits. A short look at the latest innovations in this crop that becomes increasingly popular among consumers. (more…)
Hazera’s Official Training Video: Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)
Posted on Aug 30, 2021
We are happy to present Hazera’s training video and sanitation guide for dealing with the new ToBRFV virus.
The purpose of this video is to assist growers and farmers to gain a better understanding of the ToBRFV virus, and to share some practical advice and active measures for eradicating the growth of this virus through the use of stringent hygiene and highly effective sanitation. (more…)
Arno Van Staden: “At Hazera, we strive to develop tomato varieties that address the challenges faced by growers, retailers, and consumers alike. With our unique advantages, we aim to provide an innovative solution that improves efficiency, reduces waste, and enhances the overall experience for everyone involved in the tomato supply chain and Camelot is exactly that variety”, says Van Staden.
