b'THE MOST COMPLICATED SLICE OF SUMMERHOW MODERN WATERMELON BREEDING BALANCES FLAVOUR, FORMATS AND THE RISEOF SEEDLESS VARIETIES.BY: MARCEL BRUINSWHY IT MATTERS I n this two-part feature, Seed Worldwork, he explains, is organised around key Europe speaks with leading watermelonfrontiers: dual-purpose varieties, accelera-Few fruits carry as much culturalbreeders to understand how breedingtion toward seedless fruit, resilience against baggageand consumertargets have evolved, how seedless systemsclimate-related stresses, and a strong focus expectationas watermelon. Itreshape strategy, and how genetics, technol- on collaboration across partners. In his is the taste of summer, the symbology and long-term investment are redefin- framing, breeding is not only about a plant of holidays, picnics and long, hoting what the modern watermelon must be. and a fruit, but about aligning genetics with days. Slice it open and peopleWatermelon breeding used to soundreal-world needsfrom the growers field expect refreshment, sweetness andalmost quaint: make it sweeter, make itto the retailers shelf and the consumers crunch, without excuses. Miss thatredder, make it bigger, make it yield. If youkitchen.mark once, and the entire categorytold that story today, though, most breed- That emphasis on the wider chain also feels the impact. ers would smile politely and then show youcomes through clearly in the way Emilio the real checklist. The modern watermelonSarria Villada, breeding manager water-Globally, watermelon is one ofprogramme is not a single finish line. It ismelon, squash and beans at Rijk Zwaan, the most widely produced anda multi-lane motorway with growers, ship- describes shifting objectives. In the tradi-consumed fruits, with annualpers, retailers, processors and consumers alltional era, he notes, breeding focused on production topping 100 milliondriving at different speeds, honking aboutfruit quality traitsflesh colour, sugar, tonnes. Europe, meanwhile, is onedifferent things, and expecting the breederyield. More recently, objectives have wid-of the most quality-driven markets,to keep traffic flowing. ened to account for what different parts of increasingly shaped by seedlessSeed World Europe spoke with breedersthe chain require. For growers, the focus is watermelon, mini formats, and theworking in different markets and segments,on adaptation and resistances that reduce steady rise of fresh-cut. and their answers reveal a clear pattern:reliance on chemicals. For processors and breeding targets have expanded from thesupermarkets, shelf life and flesh texture Thats why watermelon breedingfruit to the entire value chain. The fruitmatter more than ever, especially as con-has become so strategic in thestill matters, absolutely, but it must nowvenience formats and ready-to-eat products seed sector. Breeders are noarrive on time, survive stress, withstandbecome more common. For consumers, the longer selecting only for yieldlogistics, fit new consumption habits, and dodirection points toward new formats that and sweetness, but for a wholeall of that while delivering the one thing thatkeep the sweet taste and attractive flesh chain of requirementsfromcant be negotiated: the eating experience. colour but better match how people buy field performance and shelfand eat fruit.life to transport resilience andFROM NICE WATERMELON TOAcross interviews, this complete conveniencewhile still deliveringCOMPLETE PRODUCT product idea shows up repeatedly. A the simple promise consumersDiego Maestre, global crop managermodern variety is expected to be productive care about most: a great eatingmelon & watermelon at BASF | Nunhems,and uniform, but also visually appealing, experience, every time. describes breeding priorities as strategictransportable, flexible for harvest timing, pillars rather than a loose wish list. Theand consistent across environments. Its 14ISEED WORLD EUROPEISEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPE | FEBRUARY 2026'