Harmoniz’s two late-season bell peppers, Bernabel (red) and Bonáyar (yellow), are entering their second commercial year with the aim of sustaining growth through high yields and premium-quality fruit of uniform size right to the end of the cycle.

Specifically bred for late cycles (recommended transplants from July 25 to August 15), Bernabel and Bonáyar are positioned to strengthen their presence in the market this season. Both varieties concluded last spring with strong results, thanks to Harmoniz’s robust genetics. “Farmers achieved excellent final yields per square meter,” says José Martínez, pepper development technician at the seed company.

Beyond their genetics, two other key factors drive the success of Bernabel and Bonáyar: their short internodes, which boost productivity, and their open plant structure, which enhances pest control. The plant’s reduced foliar density also facilitates the application of treatments, including those targeting Thrips parvispinus.

Bernabel: Outstanding Production

Bernabel is a vigorous plant that produces steadily throughout the winter, avoiding production gaps. Its exceptional fruit-setting capability enables it to deliver consistently high yields of premium-quality fruit by the end of the cycle. The fruits are uniform in size (L-XL), with four well-defined lobes, a smooth apex, and excellent plant and post-harvest durability thanks to their thick walls.

The absence of silvering makes Bernabel suitable for harvesting while still green. During ripening, its color transitions from chocolate to deep red, avoiding any orange hues. Additionally, Bernabel offers strong resistance to L4, spotted wilt virus, and powdery mildew.

Bonáyar: Consistent and Reliable

Bonáyar is a yellow bell pepper ideal for flow-pack packaging (size G). During its first commercial season, it impressed growers with reliable fruit setting under both cold and warm conditions, maintaining consistent production in terms of size and shape.

What sets Bonáyar apart is its exceptional fruit quality. While other yellow varieties tend to develop an orange hue in fruits exposed to the sun at the top of the plant, Bonáyar maintains a consistent canary-yellow color and firm texture. Like Bernabel, Bonáyar is resistant to L4, spotted wilt virus, and powdery mildew.

Future Innovations

Harmoniz remains committed to Bernabel and Bonáyar as standout performers in the late-season bell pepper segment in Almería. However, the company is also focused on expanding its portfolio. “Our goal is to continue complementing the production cycle with new varieties for medium, medium-late, and extra-late transplanting,” says Martínez. These new offerings will include robust resistance packages to ensure high yields for farmers, while guaranteeing supply consistency and quality for marketers and large-scale distributors.