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22 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM per cent annually since our introduction of hybrid varieties in the mid 90s. In the past 20 years Bejos breeding program has been able to keep up with the growing demand and market requirements through the constant introduction of newly improved varieties. And this could actually also be said for the market in general. The fennel seed market is a competitive market- place. There are quite a few companies that offer good fennel varieties. Besides yield and disease resistance there are several other goals that the breed- ers work on Zutt adds. Other breeding tar- gets are agronomic improvements such as bolting resistance in summer cultivation upright and strong leaves a healthy and strong root system standability together with a white smooth crispy and consist- ent bulb Zutt adds. Concerning the overwintering varieties one of the main goals besides winter hardiness is to have a smoother and crispy skin through decreased fibre content. REGIONAL DIFFERENCES In terms of growing regions there are regional differences but this seems to be mainly related to growing cycles. The longer the growing cycle the larger the bulbs get ranging from 350 to 800 grams each. In Italy the long production cycles for winter crops are in the south yielding larger bulbs while yields per hectare are greater in the north. Italy is currently the largest producer of fennel in the world. The Italian peninsula is characterised by a very mild weather in the south ideal for growing fennel in the winter but very hot in the summer. In terms of autumn and winter crops the south is the place where a very high-quality fennel is produced and with very high yields in comparison to the central and north-central regions. Besides yield and disease resistance there are several other goals that the breed- ers work on Zutt adds. Other breeding tar- gets are agronomic improvements such as bolting resistance in summer cultivation upright and strong leaves a healthy and strong root system standability together with a white smooth crispy and consist- ent bulb Zutt adds. Concerning the overwintering varieties one of the main goals besides winter hardiness is to have a smoother and crispy skin through decreased fibre content. REGIONAL DIFFERENCES mainly related to growing cycles. The longer The improvement in yield in specific areas actually correlates with the introduc- tion of new improved varieties. We have put special focus on the development of varieties for springtime and summer production Zutt adds. Consequently yield improvements are now relatively larger in areas that produce in springtime and summer. High priority has also been given to the breeding of varieties for winter and overwintering production to provide growers with high quality varieties that have good winter hardiness and perform reliably during cultivation. DIFFERENT TYPES OF FENNEL Also in terms of type there are some differences between countries and regions. In Europe Italy is known as the specialist and serves as the model for the desired product form. The market focuses on achieving uniformity 12 out of 12 months per year. For export to France or other Northern European markets the preference is for smaller bulbs of 300-400 grams per bulb. Elsewhere in California for example the desired product is a little different with an emphasis on trimmed elongated bulbs for easier shipping and stalks as much as three times longer says Salvado. In the Maghreb region fennel is sold by the kilo three to four pieces per kg trimmed and products of all calibre are valued. The different types of fennel really depend on the season says Schiappa. In the north of Italy they can only grow early or very early types due to the weather conditions. In other areas we can find all of the types. The main differences apart from the commercial cycle of these plants are the colour and the aroma. Early varieties have an extremely white bulb colour absence of fibre and a very mild taste. Winter and over- wintering varieties are surely more greenish and have more taste. Zattoni emphasises the differences in consumer preferences. In Italy the best quality is still a round white crispy fennel whereas in Northern Europe a more flat- shaped version has been the standard. This shape came with the introduction of the variety Zefa Fino bred in the 1970s in Switzerland which had the ability to grow reasonably flat bulbs due to the high level of bolting tolerance. Bolting tolerance is an important characteristic for cultivation of fennel in high latitude areas during summer. Fennel is very susceptible to day length in order to grow a decent bulb. During long day periods like the summer period in northern Europe the Italian Florence types have a tendency to bolt quickly even before they have started forming a bulb. For the north- ern regions the best combinations availa- ble in the market are crossings of the Zefa Fino lines with Florence-type lines that have strong bolting tolerance says Zattoni. According to him the aromatic prop- erties and contents of fennel can vary a lot. This is dependent on the period of growth and the method of cultivation. As the anise flavour fluctuates throughout the year the target would be to have varieties with a con- sistent anise flavour all year round more sweet than strong. ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS BESIDES WINTER HARDINESS IS TO HAVE A SMOOTHER AND CRISPY SKIN THROUGH DECREASED FIBRE CONTENT. ENZA ZADENS IDILLIO VARIETY