Dec 22, 2015

Seminis announces new Downy mildew hybrids

During the Pickle Packers International annual meeting, Seminis announced the launch of DM Defense, a line of Downy mildew resistant pickling cucumber seed for the 2016 growing season.

“The control options for Downy mildew for pickling cucumbers currently is restricted to the use of fungicides,” explained Seminis cucurbit breeding lead Nischit Shetty. “When present, Downy mildew can cause extensive foliar damage on leaves of infected plants and there can be a substantial reduction in fruit yield depending on the stage at which plants are infected and the extent of damage.”

Pickling cucumber growers can expect intermediate levels of resistance to Downy mildew from DM Defense hybrids.

Third party testing revealed that DM Defense hybrids showed less susceptibility to Downy mildew infection, resulting in higher yield potential under untreated conditions as compared to the susceptible checks.

“While DM Defense hybrids help provide yield protection when field or weather conditions do not allow timely fungicide applications, scouting and use of fungicide with multiple modes of action will be needed to achieve highest yield potential,” explained Shetty. “Young plants (<5 leaf stage) are vulnerable and need to be protected by fungicide if there is a high risk of infection in the area.”

Initially, Seminis plans to launch two hybrids under the DM Defense brand for the 2016 planting season with more products to follow.

For more information visit the Seminis website.