This week, we bring good news from vines of the Puglia region of Italy and take a peek at what’s in store for visitors to the Grapa stand at the Fruit Attraction Exhibition in Madrid. In addition, we share with you recent updates on the ARRA programme in Brazil.
Italy
Agricola Caputo Nicola Farm - ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15)
Farm owner, Nicola Caputo is happy with this year’s crop of ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15). Producing slightly less than thirty tons per hectare, the crop was harvested in September at 17-22 Brix at very high quality. Nicola used Abomin in winter and spring in the soil and bunch selection and bunch trimming took place at a very early stage.
The Main Attraction
AVI has ensured that there will be some shining examples of the ARRA varieties on display at this year’s Fruit Attraction Exhibition which will take place in Madrid on 22 – 24th October. Attendees of Fruit Attraction will have the chance to see and taste, at the Grapa stand, the beautiful samples (pictured below) of ARRA Mystic Dream™ (ARRA 32) and ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15) grown at AVI general manager, Carlo Lingua’s farm in Saluzzo, Italy.
Brazil
Selection ARRA 8A-19+4
Agrivale’s ARRA 8A-19+4 selection is attracting the attention of the Brazilian growers due to its short growing cycle, good yield, and great eating quality and appearance. After three growing seasons, the growers have started to plant selection ARRA 8A-19+4 commercially as it shows good resistance to rain so far.
Selection ARRA 8A-19+4, 105 days after pruning
ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30)
As can be seen from the pictures below, GVS Fruit Company have produced a fantastic crop of ARRA Sugar Drop (ARRA 30) this season. Since a single crop of this variety produces a decent yield, the GVS team made the decision to continue growing ARRA Sugar Drop (ARRA 30) even though, in their experience, it doesn’t produce two crops a year like ARRA Sweeties (ARRA 15).
Stay ahead of the curve
The 26th Brazilian Fruit Congress took place in Juazeiro, Brazil on 9th Sept – 4th October. Attracting professionals and producers from the fruit industry as well as university faculty and students, the programme held short lectures on various topics including ‘The production of table grapes under semi-arid conditions’ which was presented by Grapa consultant agronomist in Brazil, Augusto Prado and agronomist Newton Matsumoto.
As well as lectures, different technical visits were organized, including a visit to JD Group’s experimental blocks in Brasiluvas Farm. During the visit, participants learned about a project for new table grape varieties in the Sao Francisco Valley which included the ARRA varieties and ARRA selections known for their self-colouring, great yield and above all, rain-resistance.
In addition, JD Group CEO, Arnaldo Eijsink, invited Grapa technical representative in Brazil, Ms Russaika Nascimento and the Grapa team to present the ARRA varieties and hold a tasting panel. Among the varieties sampled were ARRA Sweeties™ (ARRA 15). ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30), and selections ARRA 12-7+5 and ARRA 33-31+7.
Meet the team
We are delighted to introduce to our readers, the newest member of the Grapa team in Brazil, Amanda Rodrigues Da Silva.
Amanda graduated as an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Vale do Sao Francisco and is currently studying for a Masters degree in the field of plant protection at the Federal University of Vicosa. She gained her experience in grapevine cultivation by working as an agronomist in farms and through participation in research projects during her first degree.
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