Modesto, California
January 14, 2002
Harris
Moran pumpkins and green peppers fared well in recent
university trials, finishing at the top
in yield performance.
In research conducted by Ohio State University,
Karma, an
HM bell pepper, out-yielded all comers in first-harvest pick.
Totaling 201 boxes at first harvest, Karma continued its winning
ways by coming in first in the "total of three harvests"
category, with 1244 boxes. About 70% of the total harvest graded
XL, L, M, and S; with about 40% at XL and L, according to
research data.
Another Harris Moran bell pepper,
Conquest, finished
second at 1167 total boxes for three
harvests. About 75% of the fruit graded XL, L, M, and S; with
38% ranking as XL and L. Conquest is
highly tolerant to Phytophthora Capcisi and resistant to a
formidable array of viruses.
"What we're seeing is performance in yield, size, and disease
resistance," said Jana Middleton, HM's
product manager for bell peppers and pumpkins. "Our breeders are
concentrating on those two
attributes and it's showing. And there's more in the pipeline."
The pumpkin trial was equally impressive.
HMX
6689, an experimental variety with a dark orange color, nice
handles, and powdery mildew tolerance, and
Magic Lantern,
the industry's choice, nearly topped the yield charts. HMX 6689
counted 18.7 tons and acre; and Magic Lantern totaled 18.5 tons
an acre.
Fruit size for HMX 6689 averaged 22 pounds, while fruit size for
Magic Lantern measured 17 pounds.
Another good showing came from
Sorcerer, another HM
pumpkin. It averaged 16.1 tons an acre; and 17 pounds per
pumpkin.
"When people think of pumpkins they think of Harris Moran," said
Middleton. "Yield, quality, and disease resistance continue to
set our products apart from the competition. We're continuing to
strengthen our product line."
Trials were conducted by the Department of Horticulture and Crop
Science, Plant Pathology,
Entomology, The Enterprise Center at Hillsboro, The Ohio State
University, Columbus.
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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