Warmenhuizen, The Netherlands
June 1, 2021
On Tuesday, June 1st, the International Bremia Evaluation Board for the EU (IBEB-EU) officially designated a new race of Bremia in lettuce, Bl:37EU. Several tests on the Bejo lettuce assortment have shown that our commercial varieties with resistance to Bl:16-36EU are also resistant to Bremia Bl:16-37EU.
Bremia, also known as downy mildew (Bremia lactucae), is one of the most destructive diseases in lettuce. Therefore it is important for growers to use lettuce varieties that have resistance to this pathogen. Bl:37EU is widely spread in France -and is also present in Spain, Portugal and Italy. This new race has not yet been found in the northern European centres of lettuce production.
Gerhard Voelkel, Bejo’s Crop Manager for lettuce, says: “Our current varieties, which are already on the market for over five years, are resistant against this new Bremia race. We are confident that the reliability of our varieties offers growers the best available protection for the future. Our assortment in Iceberg, Batavia, Butterhead and Babyleaf in general demonstrate strong resistances. We will continue breeding for the best possible Bremia resistances as a main focus for the next generation of lettuce varieties.”
The IBEB emphasizes that, although breeding companies will supply growers with lettuce varieties possessing resistance to the nominated Bl: 16-37EU races, this is not a full insurance against Bremia.
Please ask your local representative for more information about our lettuce varieties and resistances.
Read the full press release from Plantum.
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