Syngenta Vegetable Seeds and Emerald Seed Co. have signed a licensing agreement that will provide Syngenta exclusive access to Emerald Seed’s genetics. Specifically, the companies say this partnership will allow Syngenta to continue investing in advancing onion seed germplasm and strengthen its offering in onion seeds.
El Centro, Calif.,-based Emerald Seed Co. breeds open-pollinated and hybrid varieties across a variety of crops, including broccoli, cucumbers and onions.
“This partnership speaks to how collaboration is essential in our industry for the benefit of all stakeholders,” Matthew Johnston, global head of vegetable seeds and flowers for Syngenta, said in a news release. “We’re excited by the opportunity to share Emerald Seed’s products with more growers around the world, especially their world-class onion seeds. This aligns with our passion to serve growers of every type with the most diverse, innovative portfolio of vegetable seed varieties.”
Emerald Seed Co. said it has partnered with vegetable seed distributors throughout the world since its founding in 1995 to serve professional vegetable growers. The company maintains research fields and has focused on onion breeding for more than 20 years, the release said.
“Emerald Seed takes great pride in supplying our customers with a consistent source of high-quality vegetable seeds,” Michael Dessert, owner and head plant breeder of Emerald Seed Co., said in the release. “This partnership with Syngenta provides a path to put our seeds in the hands of more growers worldwide. We look forward to working with Syngenta for years to come.”
