Together with our partners...

The International Seed Federation (ISF) is celebrating its 100th anniversary in the country where the (vegetable) seed sector started to flourish: the Netherlands. Seeds play a crucial role at the start of the food value chain, providing a wealth of knowledge and power. High-quality seeds, when carefully cultivated, lead to robust crops that are resilient to climate change and plant diseases, benefiting farmers, growers and consumers alike. Plantum, the Dutch industry association, is looking forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to the World Seed Congress in Rotterdam from 27-29 May.

A new race of the downy mildew pathogen (Peronospora effusa) on spinach has been denominated by the International Working Group on Peronospora in spinach (IWGP), based on a worldwide evaluation of isolates from growers' fields and trap nurseries. This was a strong candidate for nomination due to its significant threat to the spinach industry.

Thanks to combining both endurance and high production with extensive resistances, Rijk Zwaan’s organic cucumber and pepper varieties are perfect aligned with growers’ needs. The company has produced two leaflets containing an overview of all its organic – and, for some segments, non-chemically treated – varieties. Here, Crop Specialists John Verbruggen, Florian Friedrich and Johannes Van Megen discuss their personal favourites, including some newcomers.