Virus-resistant zucchini provides profitability for producers

The zucchini crop's productivity is greatly affected by viruses, a recurring problem in all production centers. To have a crop with fewer virus-infected plants, it is important to take some preventive measures, which begin with choosing seeds or seedlings of proven origin, through to post-harvest management.

However, the agronomist and specialist in cucurbits at Agristar do Brasil, Rafael Zamboni, highlights the importance of reminding producers that in very strong virus pressure, hybrids can show symptoms, since they are resistant and not immune. Therefore, during cultivation, it is also important to eliminate plants with symptoms of the disease, which could serve as an inoculum for the virus, eliminate invasive plants that could be hosts for the virus, carry out adequate phytosanitary management, eliminate crop residues and perform crop rotation. . “These precautions, associated with the use of resistant materials, help prevent viruses from entering the crop, guaranteeing the quality and productivity that the farmer needs”.

When talking about seeds or seedlings, it is possible to opt for hybrid materials, such as the Flora F1 zucchini, from the Topseed Premium line, which is multi-virus, with resistance to WMV (watermelon mosaic virus), PRSV-W (ring spot virus papaya) and ZYMV (zucchini yellow mosaic virus). 

In addition to defending against viruses, Flora F1 adds value to the producer by presenting characteristics such as a single stem, open plant architecture, which improves pest and disease control when applying pesticides, accentuated plant vigor and, among its main attributes , there is a high fruit set, with sequential fruits.

Word from the producer

In Itupeva, in the interior of São Paulo, producer Vagner Polidori is planting his second field of Flora zucchini and talks about the results he has obtained.

“The product speaks for itself! All of our production is delivered to CEASA in São Paulo with great acceptance due to the standard, format, closure, as well as the beautiful shine that stays on the stand for longer.”

He adds that Flora has a very strong resistance to viruses compared to other hybrids planted by him, in addition to the harvest time, around 70 days, and productivity, which reached 340 boxes per thousand plants.