Verdi

Fruit quality

The fruit of Verdi is attractive. The first fruits can be large and somewhat chunky. The following fruits are long conical and uniform. The fruit has an intense red to deep red colour and an attractive gloss. Particularly the fruit size is good towards the second half of the season and higher fruit weights can be expected compared to varieties such as Clery and Magnum. Verdi is characterised by its juicy texture and high brix levels. Its distinct aroma makes Verdi well-suited for direct sales and short sales channels. The fruits’ shelf life is good, and taste and texture remain relatively unaffected, although a slight post-harvest colouring may occur. A picking interval of two to three days is normal and recommended to optimise fruit quality.

Plant growth habit

Plants of Verdi are healthy, resilient and well-balanced. The plant architecture is open which makes the trusses clearly visible. The growth habit is compact, and the vegetative-generative balance remains optimal. The foliage is lime green and glossy. Flower trusses typically have seven to eight flowers which normally remain under the leaf canopy. Verdi is also relatively heat tolerant and able to cope with periods of high temperatures.

Cropping pattern

Upon the beginning of the harvest, production increases rapidly. Verdi has a longer harvest window compared to other varieties with steady production, due to the nice spread in the emergence of new flower trusses (Fig. 1). Therefore, fruit size stays relatively consistent (Table 1). The steadily high fruit weight in combination with the visibility of the fruit trusses results in a high picking performance.

Graph 1. Percentages of total yield plotted over several weeks of harvesting.

Verdi starts its production when the production of Flair is decreasing. When the production of Verdi, in turn, decreases, the production Faith has commenced. Due to this relatively long harvest window, Verdi bridges the gap between Flair and Faith, resulting in an evenly distributed weekly production.

Proeven hebben aangetoond dat Verdi in hoge mate resistent is tegen stengelbasisrot (Phytophthora cactorum) en verwelkingsziekte (Verticillium). Daarnaastis Verdi ook bestand tegen meeldauw.

Pest and disease resistance

Trials have shown that Verdi resists infection by soil-borne diseases such as Phytophthora cactorum and Verticillium very well. Moreover, Verdi is also tolerant against mildew.

Table 1. Overview of Verdi crop characteristics compared to Clery and Allegro. Results are based on trials at Fresh Forward. Properties are scored on a scale from 1 (poor) tot 9 (excellent).

Fertilization

Verdi is a strong variety and has proved to be very efficient with the available nutrients in the soil. Therefore, Verdi has a low fertilization requirement for a successful crop. For specific fertilization strategies, please contact us.

An additional application of nitrogen of 25kg of pure N during the vegetative phase is sufficient to create sufficient leaf mass. Balanced potassium: calcium ratio of 7:2 is recommended during flowering and harvesting, in order to achieve a successful harvest. In addition, extra attention should be paid to watering the plants evenly and as required.

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