The transaction, according to Seminis, will enhance the product lines of the company's multiple brands, including Asgrow Vegetable Seeds, Petoseed and Royal Sluis. The BSI watermelon germplasm represents decades of intensive breeding for outstanding traits critical to market-leading products,'' said Fredrick Bliss Ph.D., director of plant breeding for Seminis.
Market trends show a rapidly increasing worldwide demand for high-quality seedless watermelon.
As a result of this acquisition, Bliss says, breeder Rob Barham, based in Gilroy, California, will now continue his program through the Seminis research organization, providing quality products to the Seminis brands.