Spero F1 is an exciting new variety that has made its debut in South Africa, which is the Latin for I HOPE… To name a few hopes/SPERO’s many farmers have:
- I hope it rains soon,
- I hope this year is better than last year and
- I hope I get good yields and prices
The first comments regarding the performance of this new variety gives Hygrotech and the growers of the first on farm trials, Spero, hope for the future! It was found that Spero, an Indeterminate Round Tomato, showed great potential from transplant, having a vigorous plant combined with an excellent yield potential.
Trusses of 6-8 fruits, averaging 120 – 150 grams were recorded during the growing season, and this is one of the main reasons several growers will be adding Spero to their planting programs.
High yield is important, but a high pack of quality fruit is crucial and what the grower expects and hope for! Spero F1 provides the best of both worlds in offering top quality fruit as well as the required yield realized.
Spero F1 is from the same breeding program as 1722 F1 and showed once again the importance of a strong genetic background of successful varieties launched from a strong breeding program.
Although open-field cultivation is promoted this variety can be grown under protection, boosted by an impressive disease package: Verticillium, Fusarium: 1,2 & 3, Nematodes, Tomato Yellow Leaf Virus, Tomato Spotted Wilt & Fusarium Crown root that would be acceptable for most production areas across South Africa.
Spero F1 Disease Package
- Verticillium
- Fusarium 1,2 & 3
- Nematodes
- Tomato Yellow Leaf Virus
- Tomato SpottedWilt
- Fusarium Crown root
Round with slightly flattened fruit tops with average weights of 120 – 150 grams will meet most market requirements. Limited seed will be available in the first quarter of 2024, but more will be available with the official launch September 2024!! Make sure you secure the seed well in advance.
Written by Francois Mostert, Nelspruit.
