By
Kristin Churchill
Assistant Editor
Decorating and flavor are
the most important factors in the seed industry this season, three
seed officials said.
Siegers Seed Co.’s Roy Pearman, Harris Seeds’ Karen McGuire
and Chesmore Seed Co.’s Mark Pflumm agree pumpkins, ornamentals
and vegetables with high sugar contents are popular right now and
the trends will continue. The three cited diversity and disease resistance
as the reasons for the current trends.
“Pumpkins in every size, shape and color have become available,”
said Pearman, Siegers’ director of marketing and sales.
He said of ornamentals, “There’s been a surge of new genetics
available.”
Pearman said some new pumpkin varieties are disease resistant, especially
to powdery mildew. One new variety offered by Siegers is King Midas,
a 25-pound to 28-pound slightly tall pumpkin with moderate ribs and
a strong, black handle that is powdery mildew tolerant.
McGuire said Harris Seeds is introducing five new pumpkin varieties,
ranging from 3 pounds to 40 pounds, that are more disease tolerant.
McGuire is Harris Seeds’ national sales and marketing manager
for the vegetable division.
The market for pumpkins has been steadily increasing and will continue
to do so, McGuire said. She’s also seeing an increase in ornamentals,
such as colorful eggplants, gourds and lettuce.
“There’s a high level of decorating for all seasons,”
she said.
Pflumm, sales manager for Chessmore Seeds, agreed there’s been
an increase is what he described as “fall festival-type business.”
“There’s been a lot of emphasis on gourds and pumpkins
and the market continues to grow,” he said.
Pearman, McGuire and Pflumm said consumer demand is increasing for
vegetables with high sugar contents as well, especially sweet corn.
Pearman said there’s been a “revolution” in corn
genetics and standard sweet corn will no longer be in demand.
Pearman said of the new high-sugar sweet corn varieties: “Anyone
tasting it, the texture and taste difference is dramatic. Customers
taste it and say, ‘Wow.’”
Mirai is a popular new high-sugar variety of sweet corn. Siegers is
introducing new bicolor, yellow and white Mirai varieties this year.
The company has a 2005 program that will allow growers to start and
finish their season with Mirai varieties.
“Anyone tasting it, the texture and taste difference is dramatic,”
Pearman said. “Customers taste it and say, ‘Wow.’”
Disease resistance also is being incorporated into the high eating-quality
sweet corn, Pearman said. Some Mirai varieties tolerate diseases such
as Stewart’s wilt and common rust.
Harris Seeds also carries the new Mirai varieties. McGuire said Mirai
varieties have “raised the bar” on tenderness and sweetness.
“It has excellent corn flavor,” she said. “Customers
want flavor and sweetness.”
Pflumm agreed new developments in sweet corn varieties, especially
the high sugar content, have increased their popularity.
“Emphasis is being put on varieties for appearance, flavor,
disease tolerance and resistance – and not necessarily in that
order,” he said.
McGuire said consumers also are seeing high sugar contents in tomatoes
and carrots.
Pearman also said high sugar content is becoming more popular in other
vegetables, not just sweet corn. He said the trend will continue.
“The beet this year has a high sugar content,” he said.
“If they can do that to a beet, they’ll do it to all sorts
of vegetables.”
