Recently we welcomed our growers to the opening of our new High-Tech R&D tomato breeding greenhouse in Made, the Netherlands, to give them insights into the High-Tech program and how Hazera will refine its breeding techniques to accelerate the development of innovative tomato varieties that will meet evolving market needs.
Our dedicated High-Tech tomato experts are responsible for bringing these varieties to the market. Let’s talk to Bart Van Calenberge, Product Development Specialist for High-Tech Tomato at Hazera, about how we use the valuable insights from our growers to introduce hybrids into their greenhouses.
Bart embodies a collaborative spirit by conducting trials with our growers. “Our goal is to see how our hybrids perform across different environments,” he explains. “The genetics might be the same, but the final result is a combination of our seed technology and the unique growing conditions of each glasshouse”.
The Power of External Trials
For Hazera, conducting trials with growers is far more than a routine exercise. It is a critical process of mutual learning and continuous improvement. “We want growers to experience our pre-commercial varieties in their own environments,” Bart notes. “This gives them first-hand insight into the potential of our new varieties, while interactively discussing the specific requirements they are looking for, for their glasshouse which we can reconnect to our breeding program.”
Each trial location offers a unique lens through which Hazera can assess its varieties. Different climates, management techniques, and local conditions reveal nuanced insights that cannot be captured in controlled research environments.
Growers contribute practical expertise and real-world testing. “We are experts in breeding, and growers are experts in growing,” Bart emphasizes. “This collaboration allows us to critically evaluate our selection criteria and ensure we are meeting evolving market needs.”
In an ongoing autumn trial, a grower provided crucial feedback on how our plant genetics reacted to their specific growing environment. Such interactions with growers directly inform Hazera on future breeding efforts as well as provide valuable insights to the grower on how to optimise the combination of our variety to perform in their specific growing environments.
Looking Beyond Yield
While productivity remains crucial, Hazera’s approach to variety development goes much deeper. Growers are increasingly seeking varieties that balance multiple traits: disease resistance, overall plant performance, labor and energy efficiency. “It’s not just about yield,” Bart explains. “We’re looking at comprehensive characteristics that make a variety truly valuable.”
In the greenhouse where this particular trial took place, rows of tomato plants tell a story of ongoing collaboration. They represent not just a potential crop, but a testament to Hazera’s dedication to innovation, partnership, and continuous improvement.
For more information contact our dedicated High-Tech Tomato Team.
