Shield your cucumber crops with For Defense
Rijk Zwaan's For Defense cucumber varieties have intermediate resistance (IR) against the Fusarium menace. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp has long been a concern for cucumber producers globally, wreaking havoc on yields and fruit quality. For Defense, offers growers a robust solution, ensuring reliable defense against Fusarium and a boost in both productivity and quality for your cucumber cultivation.
Harvest the benefits of For Defense
Stable production
No unpleasant surprise of dying plants due to Fusarium.
Better fruit quality
Healthy plants secure production, give less waste and a good fruit quality.
Reduced need for crop protection agents
Resulting in better working conditions and saving costs.
Trials prove theperformance of For Defense
There is a big difference between the effects in cucumber plants with Fusarium resistance and those without. In trials, a comparison between Rijk Zwaan’s resistant varieties and susceptible varieties in a greenhouse with infected soil produced very clear results. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumber is a fungus found in soil and substrates that attacks the root system and is difficult to eradicate. Growers who choose to work with Fusarium-resistant cucumber varieties can be sure of stable production and fruit quality.
Fusarium in susceptible varieties
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumber is a fungus found in soil and substrates that attacks the root system and is difficult to eradicate. As a soil and substrate fungus, Fusarium affects the root system. At first, Fusarium causes just a few leaves to wilt slightly. However, the wilting becomes more progressive a couple of days after the initial infection. The fungus damages stems as well as leaves, and plants are no longer able to recover. As a result, they become a potential source of infection for other plants.
Minimising the risk of spread
Although Rijk Zwaan’s For Defense varieties are resistant against Fusarium, there is no guarantee of 100% protection. Therefore, it is essential to maintain good workplace hygiene in order to minimise the spread of the fungus.
From sleepless nightsto peace of mind
Since Fusarium poses significant challenges and is a serious threat to cucumber growers, Greek cucumber grower Marinos Epitropakis has adopted the For Defense variety Forada RZ: 'This variety now enables me to harvest high-quality fruits in a region where non-grafted cultivation is a risk.' More information?
Contact Heleen van Rijn-Wassenaar or Celine Firet to find our more about our For Defense cucumber varieties.