fitonews-19 by SEMILLAS FITÓ

Nยบ 19

December 2018

Fitó News 19

EDITORIAL At Fitó we are undertaking numerous initiatives to meet the needs of our customers and make their businesses more profitable through our seeds. We can attain this objective only if our people are good, that is, if organisations manage to develop the skills and abilities of their employees. But what are these skills? We live in a dynamic and ever-changing world. Therefore—and to adapt to different circumstances—organisations must manage talent. Those who defend this position believe that the most valuable asset in an employee should be learning: we must learn to learn, learn to do, learn to innovate, to research and forget. Moreover, at Semillas Fitó we tend to emphasise that our business is cyclical. Year after year we repeat the same campaigns and yet at times we stumble repeatedly on the same obstacles. In these situations, the most valued skill is excellence in resource management. Thus, depending on the organisation’s context, we must apply one set or another set of skills, but we must develop the maximum of skills to efficiently manage any situation. A good process or project manager will always keep an eye on resources. These are finite, and using them badly can lead us to ruin. We must be efficient, but

Darwinians claim that efficiency leads to extinction. When a species evolves to adapt perfectly to a given environment, if the environment changes the species becomes extinct. Applying this principle to companies, not renewing ourselves would mean certain death. However, Tesla, the inventor of the AC electric motor—among other things—died bankrupt. Edison said that Tesla was the best engineer he had ever known, but he was unable to bring his ideas to market. In Darwinian terms, Tesla had an excellent ability to adapt to the environment, but never really adapted to none. So good research leading to an invention must also take into account resources to be sustainable. Given all this, for Semillas Fitó to continue meeting the needs of our customers we must strike a balance between improving processes over and over to achieve excellence and the ability to change everything around to make it better. In other words, we must strive for excellence in our work and keep learning new ways of doing things.

Fitó News 19 Proximity

AGROGLOBAL: A COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS We consolidate our presence at the Agroglobal fair in Portugal, a benchmark event in the industry.

Agroglobal is the largest agricultural fair in Portugal and enjoys the presence of the entire sector in a 100% professional manner. It is one of the most popular agricultural fairs because of its dynamic and interactive format—it features practical field demonstrations in the Tagus River valley.

PROXIMITY

The fair was held from 5 to 7 September in Valada do Ribatejo, a town 80 km north of Lisbon. In addition to being an exhibitor, as in the previous edition, this year Semillas Fitó also participated as an official sponsor at the event. Portugal is an important region for the Field Crops division. Our presence at the fair allowed us to increase our network, strengthen our brand image and communicate our main objective: to offer farmers solutions aimed at increasing the profitability of their operations. New corn innovations for this year were presented as part of the event: Hatay, Altamira, Portbou and Ubeda. We also showcased our more potent varieties like Sagunto, Temuco and the Fitómix forage formulas. We also presented Fitó Agronomic Solutions and our Fitó Care technology for seed treatment. Farmers in the area showed great interest in Fitó and were very satisfied with us. “I knew it was going to go well, but it was even better. Based on the feedback we receive from customers and farmers who visited the fair, we exceeded expectations”, says Luis Hilario, sales engineer in Southern Portugal.

Fitó News 19 Proximity

FITÓWEEK 2018 We presented our range of horticultural varieties in Spain and Hungary.

The European FitoWeek changed location after four consecutive years in Serbia, the home of Igor Jozic, our Area Manager for the region. In this edition we focused on a new scenario to display the solid performance of our genetic varieties in various terrains, climates and conditions. We opted for Budapest as the venue for this year, aimed mostly towards Eastern European clients. For three days we had the chance to meet with our distributors in the area, which includes 12 countries, to evaluate and align our business strategy and the market situation in Central-Eastern Europe. After an intense day of meetings with our partners, attendees visited the Bokros test field, 140 km from Budapest. There they were able to discover our flagship varieties and our star squashes, tomatoes, peppers, melons, eggplants and cucumbers. We highlighted our pepper and tomato species—strategic crops for the growth of the sector in Central-Eastern Europe.

We organized FitóWeek yet another year—an event organised in Campo de Cartagena (Murcia) and Budapest, in parallel. This event, which takes place in July, allows us to show our clients and the various agents in the agro-food chain, the new commercial and pre-commercial varieties. At Campo de Cartagena we had the opportunity of displaying our extensive melon range and new Santa Claus varieties for Murcia and La Mancha, including Ceferino and smaller 1.8 and 2 kg export varieties. We also have new innovations in Cantaloupe with Loire and Yellow Cantaloupe with Robledo.

Fitó sales team with clients in the region.

Our booth, located close to the field, was visited by national farmers and brokers and persons responsible for fresh produce in the main retail chains. We also received visits from producers from Costa Rica and Brazil, regions where we are leaders thanks to Goldex, our star variety in the Yellow melon segment. We also received visits from colleagues in the Sales and Development departments all over Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Middle East, Mexico, Chile and Brazil. This event allowed us to hear the key concerns of the sector and debate about market trends.

Fitó sales team with clients in Central and Eastern Europe.

Fitó News 19 Proximity

MANCHEGO MELON, LEADER OF THE 4TH FERMIEL EDITION Manchego, our leading Piel de Sapo melon variety in La Mancha, won the new Professional Melon Taster Contest organized by the Fair.

INTERNATIONAL FIELD DAY 2018 Bringing together our best Field Crops clients from Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa.

As noted by the judges and farmers in the region, Manchego stands out for its qualities and homogeneous growth adapted to the cycle in Castilla-La Mancha, both in terms of early, mid and late transplants

Vasco Vital and José Antonio Zafra from Fitó next to the mayor of Membrilla, Manuel Borja, its first Deputy Mayor Carlos Martín and councilwoman Gloria Márquez; Lola Merino (president of AMFAR); Mariani Fuentes (president of Promelón) and Carlos Maldonado (winner of Masterchef 3).

During the fair, which took place from 2 to 4 August in Membrilla, we welcomed at our booth hundreds of visitors, including farmers, brokers and professionals in the melon industry.

Ferimel is for us an important event where we can exchange impressions with the industry and display our sales catalogue and new products. Visitors were interested above all in pre-commercial varieties resistant to powdery mildew and aphids, and adapted to transplants with thermal blanket. We also had the opportunity of showcasing our varieties for other markets such as Pías, leading Branco melon variety in Portugal. We also

presented Loire, a melon for Murcia and La Mancha featuring firm fruits, great postharvest preservation and excellent taste.

At the booth we also welcomed authorities and the organizing committee of Ferimel, who appreciated the effort made by Semillas Fitó to offer cost-effective and competitive varieties to farmers in the area—in addition to its commitment with the melon industry and the fair, in which it is involved since its inception. Ferimel is currently the benchmark for the melon industry in Spain.

On 24, 25 and 26 September we held the Field Crops International Field Day. At this event, which we celebrate every two years, we invite clients from Serbia, Romania, Moldavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Albania, Israel, Jordania and Morocco to show them our facilities and inform them more extensively about our breeding programmes and quality processes. We offered the International Quality Seminar for distributors, which comprised talks and demonstrations of the exhaustive follow-up and quality control of our seeds. This year we have also launched the Fitó Reward Club, a recognition system for our best distributors and topsales clients. We awarded our distributors Konus Glorija and Tarsiseed, from Serbia and Israel respectively. Konus Glorija, with whom we’ve been working since 2012, was recognised for its sustained sales growth and success in penetrating the market, for its loyalty not only to the Field Crops division but also to the Vegetable Seeds division, and for its innovative spirit and believing in a long-term relationship, values which shape our business vision. We also awarded Tarsiseed for helping position us as a leading company in fungi resistance and its ability to find solutions to market problems or difficulties and managing to lead a very competitive and currently very complex market, with about 45% of market share. This edition has been the most successful to date, with almost 100 attendees including distributors and farmers. The event was very productive for strengthening relations, address concerns and share our impressions about the market.

Konus Glorija team with Eugenio González, Field Crops Director.

Tarsiseed Team with Eduard Fitó, Corporate Director of Semillas Fitó and Eugenio González, Director of Field Crops.

Fitó News 19 Experience

THE QUEST FOR THE BEST CATALAN TOMATO Ametller Origen and SEMBRA organise the El Millor Tomàquet Català contest for amateur gardeners. Ametller Origen, in line with his strong commitment to boost the tomato line, has launched a contest together with SEMBRA to search for the best homegrown tomato. The project comprises different phases, all of them based on an amateur and semi-professional approach focused on tomato growing.

EXPERIENCE

The first step involved buying a growing kit available in the Casa Ametller and Jardiland shops and following growing instructions. The two available varieties were the Egara tomato (green salad tomato) and the Monterosa tomato (ripe salad tomato). Through www.millortomaquetcatala.cat, contestants were able to check the steps to follow and had access to advice from experts Conrad Conill and SEMBRA technicians to ensure the best results. The jury was comprised by four tomato growing experts: Jordi Ballester (Monterosa and Egara expert at Semillas Fitó), Conrad Conill (Ametller Origen farmer), Gemma Echevarría (IRTA) and Elisabet Fitó (SEMBRA). They were in charge of evaluating and selecting the best tomato in each category, based on

Members of the jury analysing the fruits.

plant aesthetics and health, the look of the fruit and above all its flavour. Of the 270 contestants, only 14 made it to the final. The winners, Mª Glòria Toda (Monterosa variety) and Montserrat Calpe (Egara variety), where awarded with a dinner for two at the Els Tinars restaurant, recipient of a Michelin star. Given the great success of the project, Ametller Origen and SEMBRA aim to repeat it every year. It is worth noting that the contest has been possible thanks to the implication of various entities: Ametller Origen, promoter; Jardiland, kit seller; Cuina magazine y RAC1 radio station as media partners that have advertised the project; IRTA and Semillas Fitó, who have been part of the jury; and the Els Tinars restaurant, which has offered the prize.

Jordi Ballester, Conrad Conill, Gemma Echevarría and Elisabet Fitó with the winning specimens.

As Elisabet Fitó (SEMBRA) notes, “This stands out as a good example of a collaborative project between various companies, geared toward boosting education on home growing, recovering the taste of our vegetables and insist on healthy eating”.

Fitó News 19 Experience

MARKET TEAM AMERICA DEFINES ITS SALES STRATEGY Toni Cabrero, Director of Vegetable Seeds Sales and Marketing in America, explains what the meeting was all about and highlights its findings.

What is Market Team America and what countries does it work in? Toni Cabrero: It is an internal event designed to inform and analyse, from a sales standpoint, the development of American markets where Fitó is present directly or indirectly. To date, the countries involved in the event are Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

What is the aim of this meeting? T.C: In sales terms, the main objective is to prioritise the key markets where we need to offer genetic (programmes), variety (development) and commercial (resources) offers. We also met to identify synergies between markets through profile products and report on developments in market trends to align or expand programmes.

What teams collaborate? T.C: It is a cross-cutting meeting led by the sales team of the Vegetable Seeds unit, involving sales teams represented by the Area Managers, breeding teams represented by the Breeders who have programs for these markets, the seed supply team represented by Product Managers, as well as Directors from the Unit, R&D, Sales and Marketing departments. What issues were discussed? T.C: The main topics discussed have been the analysis of sales and developments, market trends, the status of proposed breeding programmes, development strategies and defining plans for future actions. What are the key countries for the American market? T.C: Key countries in the American market are Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Colombia. These countries are those where the company makes varietal proposals each year, since the market justifies it. What crops does Semillas Fitó focus on in this market? T.C: Mostly on those comprising our matrix portfolio, i.e., solanaceae (tomato, pepper and eggplant) and cucurbits (cucumber, melon, watermelon and zucchini). In Mexico we have developed a "spicy chili" programme with great business potential in the American market.

Semillas Fitó Market Team America.

And of all these, in what crops does Fitó stand out? T.C: In the American market, Semillas Fitó are leaders in the following markets and segments: in Mexico with the semi-long eggplant, Dutch and slicer cucumbers and Lamuyo pepper; in Brazil with yellow melon, and in Argentina and with semi-long eggplant.

What are the new trends in the American market? T.C: On the one hand, there is a more mature market in terms of technology and consumption where exports have a significant weight, increasingly demanding at all levels, valuing aspects such as synonymous with a fresher product, and more predisposed to innovation and differentiation. On the other, we work with a more local, traditional and less-developed customer, where quality also plays an important role. We conducted field days with our customers so they observe greenhouse growing and thus generate more trust. What conclusions did you come to at the meeting? T.C: We have concluded that we have great potential for future growth in the American market. So far results have shown that there are things that have done very well by all teams, and this gives us confidence and serves us to define the right strategies that allows us to achieve an ambitious goal: to be a leading company in strategic markets. What is your roadmap? T.C: Consolidate markets where we are already leaders, enhancing the development strategy in those where we are not yet present and generating new business opportunities. For this we need to identify and seek out resources and align our breeding to achieve the objectives.

Fitรณ News 19 Innovaciรณn Innovation

WE PRIORITISE QUALITY WE IMPLEMENT QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

what are best practices to avoid bacteria contamination in tomato seeds?

INNOVATION

Best management practices involve working in accordance to certifications that define seed production and processing protocols, issued by leading international organizations (such as the the GSPP, Good Seed and Plant Practices). These protocols stipulate hygiene measures to be implemented during work operations, and worker conditioning to perform these tasks. For tomato seeds, these working protocols are focused on preventing contamination from the Clavibacter michiganensis subsp bacteria. michiganensis (Cmm) bacteria. Locations operating under these protocols can be accredited to achieve certification from international organisations. To this end, the following points must be met:

Isolating the workplace from the environment (either physically or by separating tasks over time).

Prevent infection by best practice and hygiene measures.

Monitor growth to ensure traceability of seed batches.

Perform comprehensive bacterial analysis on seeds.

Undergo audits (internal and external).

Fitó News 19 Innovación Innovation

Accredited production sites must also:

semillas fitó best practices

- Develop, implement and maintain a quality management system and improve efficiency.

In order to further increase the safety standard of our seeds, Fitó is implementing a management system based on best working practices during tomato seed production and processing. This management system is based on regulations issued by international organizations.

- Write procedures describing actions taken and how growing is managed (and the resulting seed) through work instructions. - Carry out proper monitoring, train staff regularly, create a preventive mindset and define an emergency procedure against the appearance of commercial incidents resulting from the presence of pathogens.

LÁVESE LAS MANOS Y COLÓQUESE LOS GUANTES ANTES DE ACCEDER ALA ZONA GSPP Semillas Fitó GSPP area signalling.

A controlled working environment has been set up in the centre of Barcelona to prevent any contamination by Cmm in processing tomato seed. Only trained personnel enabled for this purpose may have access to this area.

Fruit contaminated by Cmm.

clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (cmm) Continuous improvement cycle of a quality management system. Tasks are executed based on planned activities. Subsequently, we determine whether the target has been reached through indicators. Improvement actions are defined if otherwise.

This pathogen infects tomato, pepper/ paprika and eggplant plants. This is the pathogen that causes the most problems for tomato plants worldwide. This bacteria is easily transmitted. An infected plant can contaminate others by simple contact between them: leaves, roots, irrigation water and even operators with their hands during grafting operations. Symptoms of the disease include a general wilting of the plant (diminishing the final crop production) as well as the appearance of black spots on the fruit, causing it to be unappetizing to the consumer.

semillas fitó is also working on obtaining other certifications that ensure continuous improvement in the performance of our activities. In all cases, these work practices stem from the following quality policy defined by company management: Semillas Fitó strives to be a leading multinational company in obtaining the varieties that meet the needs of our clients as well as acting as a driver for transformation in the agricultural sector.

- Continuous improvement in terms of process efficiency. Ensure the loyalty of our customers through a strategy of trust, proximity and cooperation.

To ensure the quality of the product and service, our objective is to apply first-class industry standards in all our efforts. Fitó thus applies Quality Management System guidelines in keeping with international standards, with the aim of ensuring continuous improvement.

- Working under the company’s regulatory framework and unique requirements.

Senior management of the company defines a Quality Policy aligned with the mission of the organisation, ensuring staff participation to achieve the following objectives:

HOW TO DETECT IT? To detect its presence in tomato seeds, quality control must be performed by a certified laboratory.

- Involving staff in the management system, defining operational responsibilities. - Working to provide an environment of freedom, respect and teamwork where the professional and personal development of our employees is promoted.

- Ensuring the quality of our seeds. Driven by the development and implementation of best work practices.

- Strengthen effective management of the company and be versatile enough to allow changes in order to strengthen economic and employment stability. Being respectful in our actions with the community.

- Striving to meet the needs and expectations of customers, ensuring the effectiveness of our products.

- This Quality policy is disseminated, understood and assumed as the responsibility of all organisation members.

Fitó News 19 Innovation

HOBBY TAKES OFF IN CENTRAL AMERICA The Hobby division aims to grow in the medium term, strengthening its presence in Central America thanks to the new collaboration with El Colono Agropecuario.

Ignasi Casajuana, Hobby sales technician, explains the main objectives of the Hobby division and the relevance of the new partner. What are the Hobby division objectives in the long and short term? Ignasi Casajuana: Boost exports, grow the catalogue and explore new business lines for the company. What markets are important? In what markets do we want to launch? I.C.: There are actually many markets available to the division. Our short-term goals involve opening the market in new countries in South America and in Eastern Europe. Why is the Central American market important? I.C.: Because it is a market with a great culture of selfconsumption in small home gardens, since they have a climate that allows the vast majority of horticultural crops and flowers.

What is our strategy/goal in this market? I.C.: In export we are seeking distributors able to supply the whole country with the capacity to reach the retail market, either because they own shops or because they sell consumer to large chains. Ignasi Casajuana (Fitó sales engineer) with Santos Aguilera (commercial manager of El Colono Agropecuario).

What is so valuable about a client such as El Colono Agropecuario? Why is it important? I.C.: Its importance lies in its inroads in the territory. El Colono Agropecuario has 52 warehouses around Costa Rica and is present also in neighbouring countries like Panama, Nicaragua, etc. What type of relationship is hoped for in the future? I.C.: A relationship between equals where both parties are comfortable, consolidating our Hobby product line, introducing the innovations that appear in this line, technical support and being aware if the client has any need we are capable of meeting.

El Colono Agropecuario is a proudly Costa Rican company established in 1978. They focus on the sale of products and services for the agricultural and livestock sector. In addition to livestock farms, they serve banana, pineapple, coffee, sugar cane, rice, melon and watermelon plantations, among others, in more than 50 outlets located in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala. We spoke to Abraham Aguilera (manager) for his impression of Semillas Fitó. When did your relationship with Semillas Fitó begin? Abraham Aguilera: We started our direct relationship with Semillas Fitó in 2017. Previously, at El Colono Agropecuario we were clients of the old distributor in Costa Rica, so we were already old acquaintances. What do you value about Semillas Fitó? Why do you trust us? A.A.: It is a family business, with high quality and service standards, who long for differentiated market products and look to stand out from traditional approaches. We rely on Fitó because we see many similarities between the two companies. We value the differentiation, quality, support and service.

Ignasi Casajuana with Alejandra Fuentes, Abraham Aguilera and Santos Aguilera from El Colono Agropecuario.

What do you think are the new trends in the sector? A.A.: Costa Rican consumers look for quality and like to know where their food comes from, and how it’s grown. This has led many to plant and grow their own food in small gardens in their homes. The Hobby segment is a new market growing steadily and with great potential in Costa Rica.

What key commercial changes have you experienced in recent years? A.A.: El Colono Agropecuario is vertically integrated through the industrial division with agrochemical formulation and repackaging, granular fertilizer, and mineral balanced animal feed with the aim of offering premium products at competitive prices to agricultural and livestock producers. What business challenges do you foresee in the future? A.A.: Since it is a growing market, a clear challenge will be the excess supply of seeds and services. We must start now to differentiate ourselves and mark a line that can hardly be followed by our competitors. What do your customers want? What do they value most? A.A.: Quality, support and service. Our customers value the personal attention and support provided by El Colono Agropecuario on each product or service sale. How do you see our relationship in the future? A.A.: Greatly strengthened and embracing new markets. We see a great opportunity to bring the very highest quality technology to farmers. Semillas Fitó is definitely the commercial partner with whom our company seeks to maintain long-term relationships.

Fitรณ News 19 Innovation

NEW MELON BREEDING PROGRAMME FOR CENTRAL ASIA Last summer the biggest melon improvement project was launched exclusively for the region of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries, led by Charlotte Trazit. Melon comes from Asia Minor and Central Asia, where it began to be developed for the first time in the world several centuries before Christ. Specifically, Uzbekistan is famous worldwide for having local varieties of the sweetest and most aromatic melon, due to its favourable climatic conditions, the amount of sunlight and fertile, low-salinity soil. The country is logically a major exporter of melons, mostly to Russia and Korea.

There are about 160 varieties of local melons exclusive to Uzbekistan. Some of the best known are: Torpeda, Obi-Novvot, Handalak, Bori Kalla, Kichkintoy, Buharka, Zarchopon, Kokcha, Shakar Palak, Ich Qizil, Oltin Vodiy, Oltin Tepa, Suyunchi, Gurbek, Arabakeshka and Amudarya. Most of these varieties are grown in the regions of Syrdarya and Jizzakh, where the soil has medium salinity, the climate is somewhat warm and windy and there are wastelands. However, Uzbekistan features different climate regions. For example, the region of Kharezm (the oldest melon region) and the Republic of Karakalpakistan are highsalinity areas where the climate is much colder and therefore yields melons destined primarily for storage. Uzbekistan and Central Asia in general are areas with great potential for distribution of hybrid melon seeds. The Semillas Fitรณ new breeding programme aims to provide solutions for the major disadvantages of local varieties: low resistance to diseases, inadequacy for long-distance transport and low productivity. So far more than 90 varieties have been tested in Tashkent and the results have been positive. The next step will be to evaluate large quantities of varieties selected in different regions over the next year.

Fitó News 19 Fitó Family

NEW HIRES Anna Valle

Operations cost analyst

Facility: Barcelona, Spain. Hobbies: Traveling, skiing, beach.

Georgios Tsaprounis Key Account Manager

Facility: Mediterranean Field Crops. Hobbies: Cinema and hiking—in fact he is a member of a forest protection team!

FITÓ FAMILY

Rajae Hamdoune

Vegetable Seeds sales technician

Facility: Almería, Spain. Hobbies: Reading, traveling, enjoying family and friends.

Charlotte Trazit Melon Breeder

Facility: Cabrera de Mar, Spain. Hobbies: Traveling, reading, art in general and outdoor sports.

Bernat Termes Assistant Melon Breeder

Facility: Cabrera de Mar, Spain. Hobbies: Cycling, swimming and trekking.

Births

Fitó News 19 Fitó Family

NAYARA 30/09/2017

MARCO

She is the first daughter of Eva Mota, Import and Administration in Les Cases de Barbens, and she just turned one year old!

30/06/2018

The first son of Laura Mateo, Breeder in Cabrera de Mar, is all giggles and jabbers away at everyone who greets him... not to mention that he is a bit of a glutton!

LEONARDO 05/08/2018

First son of Raffaele Giurato, sales technician of Vegetable Seeds in Sicily, Italy. He weighed 3.7 kg. With him, they now have it all!

BIEL

9/10/2018 Our designer colleague Manuel Navarro is a brand-new dad. He survives on micro-naps and a ton of excitement!

FITOKU

DAWDA 07/10/2018

The family of Moctar Diedhou, farmhand at Cabrera de Mar, has increased with the birth of little Dawda.

WORD SEARCH Find 6 tomato varieties

M A T A R O N R D A S E R G

P W A

U L R Z U P L

S E B

M E A

A D M T N L A E S

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F E A J

A U O X R N T V C E O

M A

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R E A T

A M O N T E R O S A O K

L O B M A R T

FITÓ WISHES YOU HAPPY HOLIDAYS HERE’S TO A NEW YEAR OF CONTINUED SUCCESS!

Fitó News 19 Familia Did youFitó know...

DID YOU KNOW... ...Fitó turf grass plays in first division?

Fitó News 19 Did you know...

The main Fitó varieties used in football fields are varieties of perennial ryegrass RINOVO, FIESTA4, RINGLES, SUN, SILVER DOLLAR, VANTAGE and ZURICH, along with varieties of Poa pratensis NUGLADE and PRAFIN, and the Cynodon dactylon variety RIVIERA for warm areas. Lately, interest has also increased for the variety of Lolium multiflorum THUNDER, for its winter growth. A well-known formula for elite football fields in Spain and Italy is as follows: 34% Poa pratensis NUGLADE + 33% Lolium perenne FIESTA4 + 33% Lolium perenne RINOVO; which, combined with artificial fibre, is the basis for field of some of the largest teams in Europe.

Currently, most football stadiums are restored with natural grass sod grown in nurseries or specialized sods due to rapid installation. The fact that they’re easy to install is important for stadiums, since downtime is very short and matches can resume quickly. However, a significant part of football stadium turf is grown from seed, to lower costs and ensure better genetic uniformity, although of course more time is needed to play. The use of new technologies such as photosynthetic lights, heating and hybrid grass (mixture of synthetic and natural turf), help ensure that more games can be played under better conditions. In short, it ensures higher turf quality and usability. Hybrid turf consists of 96% natural material and 4% plastic, which are combined by a tissue below the surface. This alternative represents a revolution for the sport. Strength and stability is achieved, and it requires more maintenance than natural grass. Today, a significant part of European first division football fields use hybrid grass sods. Another significant section uses sods, and the rest are sown directly with pure varieties or seed mixes. Semillas Fitó supplies the vast majority of football clubs in the Spanish first division, their training camps, football schools and sports centres. It does so directly with its seeds or indirectly by sods produced with the company’s seed.

These famous stadiums are re-seeded usually with pure varieties of perennial ryegrass such as FIESTA 4 or RINOVO, when a dark colour and maximum persistence is desired. When a lighter tone is desired, they use our variety of perennial ryegrass ZURICH for its excellent lateral growth. And for fields in warmer climates or areas with water problems, the recommended species is Cynodon dactylon RIVIERA: very tolerant to cold, heat and drought, which is reseeded in winter with some of the aforementioned varieties of Lolium perenne for enhanced colour. So we can proudly say that many Champions League games are played on Semillas Fitó grass.