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Apollo, a new cantaloupe for the Midwest and Northeast

February 17, 1998

Apollo, a new Rogers brand VIP cantaloupe was designed to fill the exacting size and quality specifications of Midwestern and Northeastern markets.

"Apollo was rated one of the top varieties for yield, fruit weight, and high soluable solids in the 1996 and 1997 Pennsylvania State University trials," said Bob Kotch, Northeast sales representative for Novartis Seeds Inc. - Vegetables. "In the 1997 University of Delaware trials at Georgetown, fruit weighed as much as 10.6 pounds."

Maturing mid-early in the season, Apollo (formerly RML 5292VP) has held its sweet flavor and shape to deliver vine-ripened quality direct to consumers. In independent trials across the Midwest and Northeast, it has consistently set high yields of large, round-to-slightly-oval, sutured fruit that typically weigh between seven and nine pounds. Apollo’s firm, sweet, medium-orange flesh boasts high soluble solids sure to attract repeat sales.

Apollo has shown resistance to Fusarium wilt races 0, 1, and 2, and powdery mildew races 1 and 2. It is particularly recommended for areas where Fusarium wilt race 1 is a problem. Seed of Apollo is only available through Novartis Seeds VIP dealers.

Novartis Seeds, Inc. - Vegetables NAFTA
diana.caldwell@seeds.novartis.com

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