Salad Day 2020

In light of the COVID-19 lockdown the annual SPS Salad Field Day took on a quite different look and matured during lockdown meaning practically no grower visitation. In spite of this the SPS team were able to thoroughly assess a massive new range of material in all salad crop types including lettuce (multi-leaf, iceberg, cos, specialties), spinach, rockets and a wide range of mesclun. Highlights were spread across all crops and demonstrates the fast progress SPS is making in bringing a new range of salad material to the market and the depth of the genetics available to us.

MULTI-LEAF LETTUCE:

Commercial seed is now available of a range of new multi-leaf lettuce for use as both whole head and as cut leaf for inclusion in salad mixes. Wildling is a vigorous mid-green coloured variety that will be suitable for year round production. It generates high leaf volume and has a nice leaf colour throughout. Texture suits processing as the leaves – while crisp – are not brittle. To complement Wildling we have Cullen, a slightly more compact, green multi-leaf variety which has an even higher leaf count. Like Wildling, Cullen has very narrow stem attachments but broader leaf tips, giving good bulk. Due to the compact nature the leaves are extremely uniform throughout the heads. Cullen can be grown year round. SPS410-9 is a compact, green multi-leaf, with an extremely high leaf count ideally suited to hydroponic systems and field growing in warm areas. The head shape of SPS410-9 is such that leaf uniformity within the head provides for very little waste. SPS410-9 will enter in to extensive trials upon request from growers.

Rioli is a triple red multi-leaf to run alongside Wildling and Cullen. It has an excellent leaf architecture – narrow stem attachment, medium width through the tips and a 3-D leaf blade. Rioli also has a high leaf count and uniformity throughout the heads. Rioli has shown excellent consistency through the heat of Summer – with no signs of bolting – and good vigour through the cooler months. Jetta is a triple red multileaf with a narrow leaf. It has very high leaf numbers and is of a style that will suit both hydroponic and field growers. The leaf structure of Jetta gives excellent bulk to salad mixes and the 3-D shape means it processes well. For growers wanting a lighter coloured red, Rozee is a very vigorous variety with an attractive green internal. The leaves are reasonably broad and have a nice, crunchy texture making it an excellent choice for growers producing for the prepared food sector.

ICEBERG:

A new range of iceberg from a range of suppliers and origins brings some excellent genetics to South Pacific Seeds. SPS029-0 is an extremely vigorous Vanguard type for even the most challenging Winter/early Spring conditions. The heads sit up off of the ground allowing for ease of harvest and the extensive frame provides strong frost protection. Extensive trials are underway currently. SPS027-0 is an Autumn type and was rated as equal best in trial. Slightly larger and faster than the market standard (included in trial alongside) SPS027-0 will be commercialised for Autumn 2021. SPS have a broad range of material in extensive trials currently – including some with Bl: 1-35 and Nr.

COS:

SPS has a range of cos-berg varieties available with a size range to cover all requirements. SPS346-9 is a mini-sized variety with excellent leaf count and very uniform size. The internal has the usual low core, even colour and canoe-shaped leaf typical of this type and is accentuated with a sweet flavour. Of traditional cos types Green Goblin is a full sized, green type with excellent uniformity and a low core. Green Goblin has a wide harvest window; it develops a thick leaf in Winter and doesn’t stretch in warmer Spring conditions. Pixie is a triple red mini cos suitable for both hydroponic and field situations. Pixie has excellent uniformity and a high leaf count – unusual for a red cos. Pixie is very slow to bolt in the heat and shows excellent field tolerance to sclerotinia.

SPINACH:

Standout commercial varieties in the spinach plots were Sol and Jinx which both showed excellent vigour, colour and bulk. Both are used through Autumn and Winter in more Northern areas and as shoulder varieties in very cold climates. Sol has a slightly wider leaf than Jinx which may give it a yield advantage over the slightly darker sister-line. New additions, Eclipse and Shadow, were both included and were clearly the most vigorous in the trial and – although out of slot in April as they are best suited to Winter and early Spring conditions – both bring a yield advantage over Black Glove. In addition, a wide range of new varieties were trialled to identify new material for spinach growers. SPS097-0 was the standout of new material with a savoyed leaf, excellent leaf shape and thickness and huge yield. SPS097-0 appears to be a versatile variety with additional trials in the ground over Winter to establish suitability.

MESCLUN/ROCKET:

Material from two new suppliers of wild rocket were on display and it was clear they bring excellent genetics to the SPS programme. While all were slower to bolt than current standard lines two in particular bring extremely impressive leaf uniformity, yield and vigour. SPS437-9 is currently being commercialised and will be available for Summer 2020/21. Showing a fine leaf with extremely high leaf numbers SPS437-9 is ideal for the food service industry and is in the direction the wild rocket is headed. For growers interested in a traditional wider leaf type SPS024-0 and SPS115-0 were the standout varieties as having high yield and being slow to bolt - are both being entered in to more extensive trials.

Red mizuna, Scarletta, is a new variety to the range that is extremely uniform and has a narrow but very thick leaf giving it excellent shelf life. The colour is very dark red and will be an easy choice for growers looking to include a red leaf in their salad mix. While green mizuna is a commodity line in salad mixes SPS113-0 is a very thick, dark green, mizuna quite different to standard mizuna lines. SPS113-0 will have an advantage in warmer situations when extra leaf thickness will result in longer shelf life and better field holding. SPS114-0 is a very dark, slow growing tatsoi which can be used as a substitute for both pak choi and komatsuna in salad mixes. It has excellent yield and outstanding field holding giving growers harvest flexibility in warmer conditions. Amarena is an addition to the extensive beet and chard programme for SPS and is an improved Blush type. Amarena will have a wider window than Blush (hot, warm and cool) and a better resistance to pseudomonas but will be a shade lighter in colour.