The squash market in France is experiencing growth, driven by pumpkin and butternut, among others. This trend is fueled by growing consumer interest in this versatile vegetable, with its nutritional benefits often praised on various TV programs and in the media. Moreover, supermarkets are increasingly promoting squash due to its excellent shelf life, which minimizes waste. For growers, high yields and ease of storage contribute to attractive incomes, provided they manage their crops effectively.
In this favorable context, seed companies are investing more in varietal research to expand their catalogs. Here is an overview of the leading varieties and new releases from Enza Zaden, Sakata, Graines Voltz, and Prosem.
Butternut varieties adapted to northern regions
Butternut predominates in the Southeast and Centre-West of France. Its longer growing cycle compared to pumpkin makes it more suitable for regions with warm summers and mild autumns. “Two Sakata varieties, Pluto F1 and Ariel F1, remain popular among growers for their sizes ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 kg, making them ideal for the fresh market. Their high yield potential, uniformity, and long shelf life until March ensure a stable income for growers”, according to Thierry Bernard, Sakata’s squash product manager.
Currently, breeders are developing shorter-cycle varieties better suited for northern regions, where conventional varieties struggle to reach maturity within the shorter production window. Sakata offers Mieluna F1, which is “gaining popularity, especially in the Centre-West region, over Ariel F1, due to its high yield” adds Mr. Bernard.
Enza Zaden has launched Eliana F1 for the 2023 season, focusing on small calibers for individual sales. Graines Voltz’s Tramonto variety, with its very dark flesh and skin, stands out for its short cycle. The company also highlights Tivano, a highly productive small-caliber variety suitable for organic farming. Prosem’s Buttor and Granor varieties are also noteworthy.
Enza Zaden prioritizes a clustered grip
Varietal selection for butternut also emphasizes varieties offering a clustered grip to optimize harvesting in a single pass with minimal difference in ripeness between fruits. This criterion is essential to avoid late harvests and address availability and labor cost issues, as explained by Simon Gilles, squash product manager at Enza Zaden. In addition to traditional analyses such as brix and dry matter content, Enza Zaden conducts taste tests, considering elements like sweetness, texture, and flavor (hazelnut, chestnut, squash, etc.).
A clustered approach is vital to adapt to future harvesting machine developments, including prototypes already developed in Belgium and the Netherlands. Vaiana F1, launched by Enza Zaden, offers a grouped grip, good yield, sizes ranging from 1.5 to 2 kg, high taste value, and darker flesh, indicating quality.
Didymella-resistant variety on the way
Although butternut is generally not susceptible to many viruses due to its early planting, damage by Didymella bryoniae has been reported in recent years, particularly in the South of France, leading to significant losses. “Sakata’s new variety, SQ211771 F1, resistant to this fungus, is due to enter the market early next year, based on highly successful large-scale trials”, according to Mr. Bernard.
Pumpkin: virus tolerance as a priority
Enza Zaden’s Orange Summer F1, a leading pumpkin variety, has been popular, especially in Brittany, the Centre-West, and the Southwest regions, for addressing yield and size heterogeneity issues.
However, with the emergence of viruses causing mottled green fruits, bitterness, and marketability problems, the focus has shifted towards developing resistant varieties. “Kaori Kuri F1, offering intermediate resistance to ZYMV, VWM, and PRSV, has been successful” explaining Mr. Gilles.
Prosem’s Flexi Kuri, tolerant to the same viruses, is known for “its bright red color with slight cream streaks, ideal for the fresh market due to its size (1.2-1.4 kg), productivity (up to 30 t/ha), and extended shelf life until February or March, explains Germain Risch, Sales Manager at Prosem. Although initially challenged by its round shape, which differs from the traditional pear shape preferred by supermarkets, its non-protruding stalk reduces breakage during handling, minimizing the risk of contamination in storage.”
Enza Zaden is also developing new resistances, particularly against CMV and New Delhi, already present in zucchinis in Spain and Morocco.
Squash comes in all colors?
While butternut is traditionally associated with its creamy brown color, some varieties are exploring different colors, such as Sakata’s Barbara F1, a green butternut with white stripes, or Buttergold, distributed by Prosem, with green stripes. However, “consumer and retailer acceptance of these diverse varieties remains cautious, as the brown-skinned butternut is the prevalent perception” notes Thierry Bernard, Sakata’s squash product manager.
Germain Risch of Prosem emphasizes “the need for communication to introduce consumers to these new varieties, primarily targeting market gardeners in the green belt who have direct contact with consumers”.