Every year, Chicosem tests various new chicory hybrids in the Netherlands regarding their practical value for professional chicory forcers. This year, on 25 March, a number of new specimens were again assessed at the company Koningslof in Rijsbergen. A number of the Symphonie lots from three different sources were more than able to bear the scrutiny of criticism. Of the new specimens, OK-2009 (test number 88) stood out.

Symphonie: time after time the best

Symphonie, which has meanwhile already been tested by various forcers, promises to be a real asset for late forcing. This week, Symphonie will again be set by ten forcers as the final test prior to the decision being taken about including Symphonie in the 2010 cultivation plan. This year, the results with Symphonie were good without exception. Symphonie produces beautiful, tightly closed and pointed heads and is very productive. In terms of root cultivation, Symphonie is a real asset on account of its good emergence properties and uniform roots. It is possible to produce large numbers of roots of this new late hybrid.

OK-2009 is unique

The new chicory hybrid OK-2009 (test number 88) clearly stood out in all internal tests. OK-2009 is a new chicory hybrid for the late segment. Stephane Hoquet is especially proud of this latest discovery. Stephane: "This variety is unique because of its remarkable shelf life, great flavour and short pith". And we can indeed confirm this from all the tests that we carried out this year in the Netherlands. OK-2009 is a little shorter and more bulbous than Symphonie. The very thick leaf and the high weight density are particularly striking features. The flavour is mild, almost sweet. The excellent shelf life properties are unique, which means OK-2009 will enjoy excellent opportunities in the distribution channel. OK-2009 also does well during the root cultivation stage, because of a high uniform root yield. OK-2009 has strong and healthy foliage, which remains vigorous until late in the autumn and which seems to have good tolerance to a number of fungal diseases.

On the photographs (click to enlarge) you can see mr. Stephane Hoquet and Mr. van Hooijdonk with the internal tests. Further some photographs from Symphonie and OK-2009 grown by Mr. den Reyer.