he production of pickles in the state of Guanajuato concentrates mainly on

Baby's production. 80% of the production is based on small sizes and 20% in large sizes.

Variety development in this area has focused on parthenocarpic types, to meet the needs of producers as well as the quality requirements of the processors. Field results have been positive. Yields have increased significantly which range from 30 - 50 % on average compared to traditional varieties (Gyenecious). This has been recognized by producers and they have been modifying their traditional production programs thereby raising the productivity of their land and thus the profitability of farming. We believe this trend towards parthenocarpic production will continue. Producers will change the kinds of varieties they use and will increase their use of Nunhems parth varieties such as Gustoso. Nunhems has established itself as a leader in this market segment bringing innovative varieties and will continue working to develop new hybrids in different regions of Mexico. We also aim to develop parthenocarpic varieties for large fruit size to meet market requirements as well as the needs of the producers of this crop.

Events of interest in this region. In March of 2013 we received information that something was affecting the germination of cucumbers. Prior to this report the region

of Guanajuato was affected by a severe frost for 3 days. This severely affected plants that had recently been planted as crops in this region are scheduled for the second and third week of February. Coupled with this weather condition was observed an emergence of

the insect (Delia Platura) which had been severely affecting germination. Historically it had not caused enough damage to create significant economic harm to the producer. Damage ranged between 15 - 25% germination losses. This forced targeted

replanting and chemical control of this insect. The description is as follows:

Delia Platura They are small legless maggots, white or slightly yellow, can pierce the cotyledons of seeds sown, damage the stems and roots of young plants, usually killing them. The adult, we can say is similar to, but smaller than a housefly, is gray with yellow tints.

Egg, Maggot, Pupa and Adult The Maggot causes damage over a period of 10-12 days in the seed or small plants.

ho would have thought that pickles would need a revolution in production? For a

product that has been made for nearly 5,000 years you would think we would have it all

figured out. Today we are on the crux of a revolution in pickle production in the USA. 2013 marked a big first step forward towards higher yields and improved quality. The first significant change in pickle genetics in decades has arrived. We are seeing increased yields, much improved quality and consistency. Parthenocarpic production had a significant test in 2013 with great results. I estimate that we planted over 2,000 acres this year across the country. We learned a lot from our trials yields, planting densities and we advanced some new trial varieties to the next level.

We see parthenocarpic production as the future of the US pickle market. It has the greatest potential for increased yields and improved quality. Back in the 1980’s Eastern Europe switched from seeded varieties to parthenocarpic varieties. This was due to much increased yields, an improvement in quality and competition from other crops. Nunhems was there from the beginning.

Commodity crops continue to put increasing pressure on the available land for pickle production. Increasing the overall yields will allow us to better compete with the commodity crops. To achieve

that goal, today we are breeding for the US market US style pickles with parthenocarpic traits.

In 2013 we introduced NQ 5543 into the US market as our first parthencoarpic pickle bred for machine harvest. We were very impressed with its performance. It had high yields of the most desired

sizes, the ones that make you the most money and great quality. I expect this variety to perform very well for years to come.

In 2014 we will introduce NQ 5007, the second in our line of parthenocarpic pickles for machine harvest. 07 as we like to call it, has the blocky shape, dark color and yield that you expect. It sets the standard for quality in parthenocarpic pickles.

That’s what’s new for Nunhems pickle program this year. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. We are here to help in anyway we can.

“A Revolution in Pickle Production"

Howard Anderson- Sales Specialist International, USA

What ’s new with Nunhems picklesWINTER2013/2014

HOWARD’S TAKE

For more information contact your local sales specialistor Nunhems Customer Service at (800) 733-9505.About NunhemsThe vegetable seed business of Bayer CropScience operates under the name of Nunhems. Nunhems is the global specialist in vegetable genetics and services. As a globally integrated group of teams, Nunhems builds unique customer relationships and shares products, concepts and expertise with the professional horticultural production industry and supply chain. The portfolio of Nunhems consists of 2,500 varieties in 28 vegetable crops, including leading varieties of carrot, cucumber, leek, lettuce, melon, onion, pepper, tomato and watermelon. With more than 1,700 employees, Nunhems is present in all major vegetable production areas in the world.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Be sure to read the full Limitation of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranties found at www.nunhemsusa.com or available upon request from Nunhems USA, Inc. (Nunhems) before buying or using Nunhems seeds. Technical data, comments, advice, testimonials and graphic or other representations of the seeds and fruit there from included herein are offered without charge or warranty of any kind either express or implied, including, but not limited to, fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability. Technical data shown is solely a compilation of observations from various geographic areas, conditions, and laboratory tests. Growing results, including varietal characteristics and performance, vary depending upon a wide range of environmental conditions and growing practices. Nunhems DOES NOT GUARANTEE growing success and disclaims any warranty and disclaims all liability for such data and advice.

© 2012 Nunhems USA, Inc., All rights reserved. TE1212

www.nunhemsusa.com

Juan Carlos Iñiguez Sanchez- Account Manager, Mexico

MEXICO: PICKLES SITUATION IN GUANAJUATO

DELIA PLATURATAXONOMICAL POSITION:

REIN: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaCLASS: InsectaORDER: DipteraFAMILY: AnthomyiidaeField Observation

“Yields increased 30-50%”

This worm caused in this growing cycle, the loss of 15 to 25% of the surface, where the farmer had to make several plantings (reseeding).

The Treatment Farmore can be help to protect the plant in the first stage of grow.

GLOBAL BREEDING

n the featured chart, I try to summarize the season. The 2013

information is based on my projections, observations and conversations with growers this season. US acreage was down

slightly while production was up slightly. India and Canada reduced imports for the year compared to 2012. Heavy rains in India delayed planting, drought reduced yields and the lack of electricity to run irrigation pumps lowered productivity. Canada had heavy rains during harvest which reduced yield but quality was good overall. I expect Mexico to play a significant part in the 2013-2014 season as the need for fresh pickles will be in high demand until the US spring crop begins.

USA /CANADAndia is the preferred location for small size pickle cultivation because of favorable

agro-climatic conditions and labor availability for production as compared to other countries.

The majority of the pickle crop is exported to various international destinations in Europe, USA, Russia, and Australia Etc. 2013 was a year of uncertainties for pickle production, though there was good demand for pickles, India could not deliver on the production due to different factors involving climate, water availability and farmers Interest. This situation remains unchanged for the near future. Due to crop failures in different parts of the world, pressure on India is enormous to supply the needs of other countries, which is also one of the reasons that India has more demand for 3-6 and 6-9 cm fruits. Production in the first quarter was not as expected due to insufficient water availability. The acreage was down by 25% overall. The 2nd quarter

seems to bring in hopes of getting good production due to rains. However we foresee that the acreage will be down compared to the needs of the industry. There are a lot of challenges to Indian Pickle growing. Pickling cucumber production faces a lot of competition from other vegetable crops where the prices of those vegetables are consistently high over the year. The cost benefits to farmers is more in vegetable crops rather than pickling cucumber; unless there is sustainability in the yields of pickles across the odd tropical conditions and thus increase in profit to farmers. Remarkably the quality of Indian processed pickles have increased over the years, which is the reason that the exports are more in ready to eat jars as compared to bulk (drums). Looking at the export data of 2012-13, where India has exported around 140,000 to 145,000mt of pickles, the ratio of jars to bulk will be around 75% and 25% respectively.

R Manjunatha Rao- Business Manager, PU India and Sri Lanka

INDIA

Michele Wood- Associate Breeder, USA/Canada

s the bright, warm days of summer have left and brought in the crisp, cool and

rainy (yes, this is Oregon) days of fall and winter, we are reminded of the diversity this area has

to offer. This is not only true of the climate, but the Brooks, Oregon station as well. There are approximately 35 full-time employees who work in a wide range of programs: Breeding (Pickling Cucumber, Carrot, and Long-Day Onion), Phytopathology, Production, Cell Biology, Support Services and Seed Health. Specifically, the Pickling Cucumber program has two people dedicated full-time: Michele Wood (Associate Breeder) and Ryan Landa (Breeding Technician). The main focus of the program is to develop parent-lines and to conduct screening trials for new hybrids. Line development takes place year-round, taking advantage of the fields in the summer months and greenhouses in the fall

and spring. Screening trials for new hybrids happens for one to two years in Brooks before being advanced to locations such as Michigan and North Carolina. Up to 1,000 plots are evaluated each summer for quality characteristics (shape, length, interior quality) and yield. The processes for this work are specific for either once-over machine harvest or multi-pick hand harvest methods.

Naturally, the work done for pickling cucumbers at Brooks does not happen with only two people. Throughout the year, the program is supported by our greenhouse and farming programs and during the peak seasons with additional seasonal labor. Close and direct contact within the Nunhems Sales Team and with

the customers helps ensure that the program stays focused on the true needs of the industry.

USA/CANADA UPDATEDomestic productionAcres in productionAverage USA Yield Tons/ AcreUSA Tons ProducedTons in Fresh Pack Dec 1 year prior USDA estimate InventoryTons in Salt Stock Dec 1 year prior USDA estimate Inventory% of US production put into fresh packMonthly use of fresh pack tons% of US production put into saltMonthly use of salt stock tonsImport dataIndia Imports Preserved TonsMexico Imports Fresh TonsCanada Imports Fresh TonsTotal tons availableTotal US ExportsInventory ProjectionsFresh Pack Dec 1 TonsSalt Stock Dec 1 Tons

201286,0005.75494,50065,000182,00025%22,30075%28,500

39,000117,00030,000927,50033,479

44,343206,870

201383,0006.0498,00044,000206,00030%23,00070%27,800

30,000120,00027,000925,00052,000

14,000225,000

USA/CANADA: PICKLING CUCUMBER IN BROOKS, OREGON

“1, 000 plots are evaluated each summer.”

Screening Trials in Brooks, Oregon

Greenhouses in Brooks, Oregon

Jos Suelman- Breeder, Netherlands

MARKET UPDATES

ucumbers are one of the target vegetable crops in Nunhems. Globally,

there are five breeders working on the different types sold worldwide. Pickling cucumber is one of five types, along with the long Dutch type, the

Chinese types, and the beit alpha type. Within pickling cucumbers, different markets and requirements can be identified. The smallest grade pickles are being produced in India. The tropical climate makes it possible to produce pickles almost year round. The climate is not only favorable for the crop, but also for a range of plant diseases. Several viruses (CMV, ZYMV, etc.) and fungi (DM, PM) are present. To facilitate daily harvests, plants are grown vertically, supported by stakes and ropes. It is labor intensive to produce pickles this way and this is yet another reason why the smallest grades are being produced in India. The peculiarities of this market define the targets of the breeding program. In Europe, most of the crops are being harvested using the famous Fliegers. The disease pressure is much lower than in India. Most of the diseases present are controlled by a crop protection (DM) spraying program or by resistances (CMV). The result of this is that breeding can focus more on yield. As a rule, you can say that the fewer characteristics we have to take into account in breeding, the faster the progress is on the target characteristics. A combination of climate, innovative growing techniques and breeding results in a very high production per hectare. In the US, the main harvesting method is the once-over harvest. It is clear that this type of harvesting requires different characteristics than

those mentioned earlier. Most of the product is going into brine. The brining process is different from preservation in vinegar. This process has different effects on fruit characteristics that are necessary to breed for. The breeding for the “US type” is executed in Brooks, Oregon. The main characteristics bred for are number of fruits per plant, fruit length and interior quality. Yield and quality! We believe that these are

the characteristics that will bring the most value for the growers, as well as the processing industry. In addition to this there is also disease resistance breeding and breeding for plant types. This should result in more stability and more yield. Having resistance

without quality or yield is of no value. Finally, added stability and increased yield is expected when 100% gynoecious varieties with parthenocarpy are produced. We strongly believe that this is the future and the way to further improve the performance of our varieties. The breeding team in Brooks (Michele Wood and Ryan Landa) work full-time to develop novel varieties to meet the requirements of the industry and the growers. Interaction and feedback from everybody involved is very important, highly appreciated and used continuously to align our daily work.

“Yield and Quality”

Howard Anderson- Sales Specialist International, USA