February 1, 2002
Affirming
its position as market leader, Millionaire, the
Harris Moran seedless
watermelon that's become the industry mainstay, recently
outpaced the field in several categories, including yield.
Research conducted at the University of Florida revealed
Millionaire out-yielded all comers - 36 in all. The closest
competitor tipped the scales nearly 1000 pounds behind
Millionaire in total yield.
The trials also tested Brix -- or the sweetness of each variety.
Brix for Millionaire averaged 13.1. That was significantly
higher than the average for the other three dozen varieties
tested.
Researchers also examined disease resistance data. Millionaire
showed one of the lowest incidences of Hollow Heart. Early
harvest data showed a 0% incidence of Hollow Heart while total
harvest data showed only an 8% incidence of the weather-driven
malady.
Millionaire also led the fruit-per-plant category with 4.3
fruit-per-plant average. The nearest competitor averaged 3.9
fruit-per-plant.
"Millionaire continues to maintain its industry-wide reputation
for yield, quality, and harvestability," said Jana Middleton,
HM's product manager for watermelons. "These latest results
confirm its stature. But we aren't resting on our laurels. There
are more HM varieties with Millionaire qualities on the way to
strengthen our entire watermelon program. At HM, we like to
think product line instead of single variety."
To learn more about
Millionaire, please visit the Harris Moran website at
www.harrismoran.com.
Harris Moran Seed Company is part of the largest
independently owned seed company in the world. It
is owned by Groupe Limagrain,
a French cooperative owned, run, and operated by French farmers.
Harris Moran Seed Company breeds innovative vegetable varieties
designed to boost yield, reduce chemical inputs, and increase
freshness, flavor, and fruit quality from plow to plate. The
Modesto, CA-based company breeds vegetables for markets in more
than 65 countries.
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