Westland Seeds is introducing several new pepper varieties that are designed to perform well in high-tech cultivation, with particular interest in the sweet pointed pepper WLS 2322 and the blocky red pepper WLS 2078. "What's exciting is that new candidates from our second screenings already match these varieties, but with slightly different traits," says Sales Manager and Business Developer Michiel van Dillen. "We plan to expand our portfolio significantly in the coming years with strong, competitive options."
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WLS 2322
Sweet pointed pepper WLS 2322
This season, the sweet pointed pepper WLS 2322 has been trialed in greenhouses by several Dutch growers, and next year it will be available on a larger commercial scale. One of the most striking features of this variety is how quickly it starts producing compared to reference varieties. "Some growers harvested almost twice as many kilos in the first few weeks compared to their reference variety," says Michiel. "Even later on, growers noticed it kept producing well. With this variety, you need to slow it down a little to maintain plant balance rather than stimulate it, because it's very generative."
Both WLS 2322 and WLS 2078 were selected under low-CO₂ growing conditions. "Varieties that perform well without much CO₂ usually also do well when growers are able to dose CO₂," Michiel explains. "But the reverse isn't always true. That makes our new varieties both robust and flexible."
Trials with WLS 2322 have taken place on both rockwool and organic substrates, with good results on both. Interestingly, fruit weight was slightly higher on the organic substrate. Is that an advantage? "That depends on how a grower sorts their fruit. For flowpacking, it's nice if the peppers stay a bit smaller. This year, WLS 2322 consistently produced fruits over 100 grams, apart from one week."
Early yield is one thing, but growers also need varieties that keep producing well right up to the end of the season. That's where grower management comes in. "Especially in summer, this variety requires some steering," Michiel notes. "The grower who commits to it and understands its potential will be rewarded with kilos."
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Block pepper WLS 2078
It's not just in pointed peppers that Westland Seeds sees opportunities, as their blocky pepper pipeline is also looking promising. "In pointed peppers, we're a little further along with commercialization, but in blocky peppers we're seeing the same potential, both in red and yellow types," Michiel explains.
The variety WLS 2078 will be trialed with growers next season, and the initial data already looks strong. "This one is also showing a lot of early kilos," says Michiel. Like WLS 2322, it was selected under low-CO₂ conditions. Compared to the market reference, WLS 2078 delivered 19 percent more production in such conditions. "When CO₂ is available, the production gap narrows, but WLS 2078 still stands out," Michiel adds. "And growers save on CO₂ costs, which reduces their financial risks."
Meanwhile, new varieties are already emerging from the screening process. "Some of these aren't as early, but by this point in the season, they're producing just as many kilos as the early types. They're a bit more vegetative, with more leaf mass, which means they need less steering from the grower."
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Sticking to the strategy
Westland Seeds will continue to focus on selecting varieties that shine in low-CO₂ production. With the current uncertainties around CO₂ availability in the Dutch market and the industry's drive toward fossil-free cultivation, this is a sustainable path forward.
"As a bonus, this approach also gives us the right varieties for mid-tech growers," Michiel concludes. In mid-tech systems, growers usually don't add any CO₂ at all. "In regions where mid-tech cultivation is common, production often focuses on summer crops, provided there aren't issues with mildew."
The resistance package of the new varieties: WLS 2322 (Tm:0-2, TSWV:0) and WLS 2078 (Tm:0-3).
© Westland SeedsWLS 2078
For more information:
Westland Seeds
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www.westlandseeds.nl