Pamela RiemenschneiderDean Liere (left), Syngenta watermelon portfolio manager, and Craig Mathis, program manager, display the company's new Exclamation seedless watermelon variety at the National Watermelon Association convention in San Antonio. SAN ANTONIO — Syngenta punctuated its seedless watermelon category with a new variety designed to please both growers and retailers.
The Exclamation seedless watermelon joins the company’s lineup as a late-season variety with firm flesh — a bonus for fresh-cut watermelon.
Craig Mathis, program manager for the Greensboro, N.C.-based company, said the variety offers a different genetic pool for growers, and complements other varieties in production. That includes the company’s popular Fascination variety, now in its fourth season of production.
The Exclamation has a deep green skin, which appeals to retailers, Mathis said.
It’s also available as a Full Count Deuces companion transplant, an option which helps growers reduce labor costs and keep the transplant process faster and cost-efficient.
The Deuces trays offer 3:1 seedless to pollenizer ratios, and help reduce errors in the field.
“In the next 3-5 years, you’ll see the industry go this way,” Mathis said.
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