Monsanto Succeeds in Creating Next Generation Seedless Watermelons

20 Feb 2015 --- Seminis (a Monsanto Vegetable Seeds Division) has introduced the next generation of seedless watermelons. Branded Summer Slice: “the taste of these three super sweet watermelons will take you back to the memories of summers gone by.”

“Consumer feedback has reinforced to us that the simple joys of summer are associated with the juicy, sweet taste of watermelons,” said Seminis Watermelon breeder Jerome Bernier. “With our three Summer Slice watermelon varieties, we are confident our farmer customers can help consumers rediscover that timeless watermelon flavor.”

The Summer Slice lineup includes Joy Ride, SV0241WA and SV0258WA. “Joy Ride is our newest addition to the Seminis watermelon pipeline,” explained Bernier. “It is highly-adaptable and suitable for growing across all regions of the U.S. and produces a large percentage of 36-count watermelon.” Joy Ride offers a thick rind, firm fruit with uniform setting and has a vigorous plant type with good canopy coverage. Joy Ride has shown a high, industry-leading average Degrees Brix of 11.5 in trials1.

SV0241WA is a 60-count watermelon hybrid with good yield potential and excellent interior quality. It is a vigorous plant type that provides outstanding coverage at harvest. The fruit are very uniform with small pips and vibrant red flesh color with exceptional firmness and sweet taste.

“Because SV0241WA is a little smaller than a traditional watermelon, this type of watermelon is going to become more popular as people are looking for something more convenient that takes up less space in the refrigerator,” explained Bernier, who primarily breeds for seedless watermelon varieties for the United States and Mexico.

SV0258WA is an ideal watermelon hybrid variety for growing in the Western and Midwestern U.S. due to its early maturity, good yield potential and Brix content. This hybrid has vigorous plant type and strong canopy to help protect the fruit from sunburn and produces consistent fruit uniformity across the field.

“It is exciting to know that after a strong commitment to breeding and testing, we have a lot to offer watermelon growers,” added Bernier. “But it doesn’t stop here – they can expect a portfolio of future products that continue to deliver yield potential, great flavor and overall quality.”