In the Midwest and Northeast, our newest long day red, Tantrum, had a highly successful trialing season. Tantrum is a globe shaped onion with dark exterior color and the internal rings are well defined. OLYX12-990 will also be available for sales in both territories. It is a performer and can be stored long term.
In the Midwest, Sweet Corn Processors saw multiple large commercial fields where Strongheart and Triple Threat performed exceptionally well. Strongheart remains consistent and dependable in emergence and yield, and Triple Threat demonstrated a high level of productivity, excellent holding ability and a strong robust plant.
In the Northern U.S (New York and Midwest) the very early variety, Dash, showed good emergence and vigorous growth and carves a new milestone for very early varieties. The next generation of the Nirvana series saw improved plant and husk protection.
The California Trials showed favorability with the Nirvana Series and the new sh2i Gene*, with Eden and Nirvana being the high performers in this category. The bicolor 18-1453 also looked very promising with dependable ear length, tip fill and improved husk protection.
In New Mexico, Mesilla is a great transition between overwinter short day and intermediate day onions as it saves on labor and transplant costs. Betty, our newest grower friendly short day white onion is increasing in sales in Mexico and California.
Listen to the Onion World interview with Lyndon Johnson, lead onion developer with Crookham Company.
It was a rough growing season in South Carolina and while many hybrids struggled, we saw some bold item perseverance.
The season began in Florida with several new varieties making an impression.
Landcruiser was a favorite in Europe (Hungary) this season and the growers in this region are seeing the benefits of Crookham’s new processing genetics in dependable emergence, strong plants and a reliable disease package. Added to this is the quality in taste for the consumer. Townsend was also notable, for its later maturity and sturdy husk protection that proved formidable against damage from birds.
Stand outs in the field this season were Strongheart on the front end and Grenadier with its large ear length and tip fill on back end. TripleThreat joined Grenadier in producing a large ear as well. We are still in harvest season, but we can report that Grenadier has high marks in the field for yield, and in the processing plant with a consistent ear shape that assists in efficiency as it rolls through the system. Strongheart distinguished itself for its emergence, consistent ear, yield and recovery.