Summer lettuce sowing approaches and challenges for producers increase

Cultivating lettuce in the hottest season of the year can be a problem, as it is a period in which rain causes losses and high temperatures cause early bolting in the plants. With this in mind, the Topseed Premium seed line created a portfolio that serves lettuce producers year-round and for production in different regions of Brazil.

Agristar do Brasil's brassica and hardwood specialist, Silvio Nakagawa, highlights that one of the highlights of the line for summer sowing is Samira lettuce, a unique product for the curly market. “It provides producers with excellent performance during this period, with a good level of tolerance to fusarium, a large plant, with a good number of leaves, thick stalk and tolerance to 'Tipburn'”.

He further explains that for the lettuce producer, characteristics such as resistance to the main crop diseases, quality and productivity are essential, but that the farmer also needs to be aware of his consumer market, which is undergoing constant changes.

“The indication of the best variety for each region is different due to the climate and soil, so it is important to consult a specialized technician before starting cultivation. The choice must also be based on the cultivar that offers the greatest number of resistances to minimize the effects of diseases in the field so that the producer can be successful in the crop”, adds Nakagawa.

Complete line and 2020 launches

Among the materials developed by the high-tech seed line are the American lettuces Astra and Diva, the mimosas Imperial and Imperial Roxa and the recently launched ones: the curly Celina and the smooth Elisângela. Differentiated in colors, shapes, textures and flavors to meet the needs of each region of the country and also offer exactly what the consumer market is looking for.

This year's new features were presented during Agristar do Brasil's traditional field day, the Open Field Day, which was held online. Specialist Silvio Nakagawa details that lettuce Elisangela It has a large and voluminous plant, good resistance to mildew, is well tolerant to heat and early bolting, in addition to being adapted to year-round cultivation in the field and hydroponics.

“The frizz Celina It has high tolerance to heat and early bolting, in addition to resistance to LMV, and is suitable for year-round cultivation in hydroponics and open fields”, adds Nakagawa.

Research & Development

Along with the work already carried out in five experimental stations in different Brazilian states, Agristar do Brasil recently created a program aimed at improving lettuce, which is being developed at its headquarters, located in Santo Antônio de Posse (SP). According to the researcher in charge of the project, Carolina Franco, in the coming years, with the lettuce tropicalization work, the company will make available on the market a range of new lettuces adapted to the reality of the conditions in the main producing regions.