The cultivation of plum tomatoes for export in Almería is facing increasingly demanding growing seasons. The pressure of emerging viruses, pest incidence, soil-borne diseases and sudden temperature fluctuations is prompting growers to seek varieties capable of maintaining yield, fruit size and commercial quality throughout the entire crop cycle.
Against this backdrop, CapGen Seeds, a breeding company specialising in the genetic improvement of vegetable seeds, has consolidated Panoramix as one of its leading solutions for the export plum tomato segment.
This variety stands out for combining easy crop management, highly consistent yields, uniform fruits and intermediate resistance to Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, ToBRFV.
“Panoramix has demonstrated exceptional performance under extreme weather conditions, consistently maintaining fruit size, weight and quality, even during the most challenging and coldest winters,” explains Hiedra Muñoz, Product Development Manager at CapGen Seeds.
Thanks to its adaptability, Panoramix delivers strong results in both short spring cycles and long autumn-winter cycles.
What does Panoramix bring to plum tomato production?
Panoramix offers a balanced combination of agronomic and commercial characteristics:
- Vigorous plant with an open growth habit.
- Powerful root system.
- Strong performance under cold conditions.
- Easy crop management.
- Consistent production throughout the entire cycle.
- Uniform fruits weighing approximately 100-110 grams.
- Intense red colour and high gloss.
- Excellent firmness and postharvest performance.
- Intermediate resistance to ToBRFV.
- Adapted to both short and long growing cycles.
These characteristics address two of the grower’s main concerns: simplifying day-to-day crop management and increasing the percentage of marketable fruit.
A powerful root system for sustained productivity
One of Panoramix’s main agronomic strengths is its powerful root system.
The variety develops strong roots that support plant establishment and maintain productive activity throughout the entire cycle. This characteristic is particularly relevant in tired or stressed soils, or where soil-borne pathogens such as different forms of Fusarium are present.
A well-developed root system helps the plant make better use of water and nutrients while improving its ability to cope with stressful conditions.
This root strength results in a balanced plant capable of supporting a high fruit load and maintaining fruit size even during agronomically challenging periods.
An open plant habit for easier crop management
Panoramix has an open plant architecture, a characteristic particularly valued by growers and crop technicians.
Its growth habit improves light penetration and air circulation within the crop while simplifying routine tasks such as:
- Side-shoot removal.
- Leaf removal.
- Trellising.
- Harvesting.
- Crop health monitoring.
- Crop protection applications.
Improved plant ventilation helps reduce the humid conditions that favour the development of certain fungal and bacterial diseases. An open plant structure also facilitates the early detection and control of pests such as Tuta absoluta and thrips.
However, the variety’s plant architecture should always be combined with an appropriate integrated pest and disease management strategy.
ToBRFV resistance for greater production security
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, commonly known as ToBRFV, is one of the main plant health challenges facing modern tomato production.
Panoramix incorporates intermediate resistance to ToBRFV, providing an additional genetic tool within virus prevention and management strategies.
This resistance does not replace hygiene, biosecurity, disinfection and movement-control measures within the farm, but it contributes to greater crop security and helps reduce the potential impact of the disease on production.
The combination of genetic resistance and good agronomic practices allows growers to manage the crop cycle with greater confidence and stability.
Uniformity and consistent fruit size for export markets
From a commercial perspective, Panoramix meets the requirements of cooperatives, marketing companies and international markets.
Its fruits have an average weight of approximately 100 to 110 grams, together with high uniformity in shape, size and colour.
This consistency helps to:
- Increase the percentage of marketable fruit.
- Reduce rejected fruit on packing lines.
- Simplify grading and packaging.
- Achieve more uniform commercial presentations.
- Improve economic returns per square metre.
The variety maintains fruit size both during the plant’s upward growth phase and during the final stage of the crop cycle. As a result, it continues to produce commercially valid fruits through to the final harvests.
Firmness and postharvest performance for long-distance markets
Tomatoes intended for export must be capable of maintaining their quality throughout handling, packing, transportation and distribution.
Panoramix stands out for its excellent firmness, intense red colour, high gloss and outstanding postharvest performance. These qualities allow the fruit to maintain a strong commercial appearance during long-distance transportation.
Its consistency helps reduce damage during handling and ensures that the product reaches its destination market with a uniform and attractive appearance.
Panoramix is therefore particularly suitable for growers and companies producing plum tomatoes for export to European markets.
Profitability based on marketable yield
The profitability of a variety does not depend solely on its total yield, but also on its ability to produce kilograms of fruit that meet market standards.
Panoramix combines productivity, consistent fruit size, uniformity and strong postharvest performance. Together, these characteristics help increase the percentage of production suitable for marketing and reduce losses caused by rejected fruit.
Its ease of management can also help optimise field operations, an increasingly important consideration in view of rising production and labour costs.
In summary, Panoramix offers growers a solution based on three pillars:
- Agronomic security.
- Ease of management.
- Commercial profitability.
CapGen Seeds prepares a new cocktail tomato
Alongside the consolidation of Panoramix in the export plum tomato segment, CapGen Seeds is working on new cocktail tomato genetics.
The material is currently undergoing pre-commercial field evaluation. The trials are assessing characteristics such as plant structure, truss uniformity, fruit quality, productivity and performance against the main tomato diseases.
Should the results continue to develop positively, CapGen Seeds plans to present this new product to the sector during upcoming field days.
The company is therefore continuing to expand its tomato portfolio with genetic solutions focused on profitability, resistance and the real needs of growers.
Frequently asked questions about Panoramix
What type of tomato is Panoramix?
Panoramix is a plum tomato developed by CapGen Seeds and designed particularly for export markets.
How much do Panoramix fruits weigh?
Its fruits have an average weight of approximately 100 to 110 grams, with high uniformity throughout the crop cycle.
Does Panoramix have resistance to Tomato brown rugose fruit virus?
Yes. Panoramix incorporates intermediate resistance to Tomato brown rugose fruit virus, commonly known as ToBRFV.
Which growing cycles is Panoramix recommended for?
Panoramix is adapted to both short spring cycles and long autumn-winter cycles.
Why does Panoramix make crop management easier?
Its open plant habit improves ventilation, simplifies crop management tasks and provides easier access to the fruits and different parts of the plant.
Is Panoramix suitable for export markets?
Yes. Its firmness, uniformity, intense red colour and strong postharvest performance make it particularly suitable for long-distance markets.
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