F1 Hybrid Strawberries
Van den Elzen Plants is a leading plant propagator, formed two years ago from a merger of Het Broek softfruit B.V. and Van den Elzen plant propagators. In one fell swoop, the Erp-based company became one of the largest propagators of soft fruit plants in Europe. Van den Elzen produces asparagus, raspberry, and blackberry plants, but its main focus is growing strawberry plants.
“Strawberries are indeed our biggest business,” explains Maurice Deben , commercial director of Van den Elzen. “We focus on high-quality substrate crops, producing tray plants of all shapes and sizes.”
The company holds licences from the leading breeders on the market and has a wide range of varieties. So until now, Van den Elzen propagated these varieties only clonally. “For all the varieties we grow, we propagate the parent material in our advanced high health facilities. These are specially adapted for mother material production,” Maurice further explains.
Competing at the top
“In that respect, the transition to F1 Hybrid Strawberries represents a culture shock for us as a company. We currently focus on the production and propagation of mother material, but with strawberries from seed, this process becomes effectively redundant.
Although this means a radical change for us, we are open to this innovation. By being actively involved in this development, we stay ahead and can anticipate changes within the sector,” says Maurice.
“Strawberries from seed is an important development within the Champions League of the strawberry sector. As a leading company, we simply have to be part of that. That is why cooperation with leading breeding companies is crucial. Breeders determine the future of the sector with their genetics. Good genetics contribute to disease resistance, flavor improvement and the adaptation of strawberries to different climates.
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For us, it is essential to maintain strong relationships with partners such as Limgroup and other market leaders in breeding in order to provide our customers with the best genetics.”