Ramiro Arnedo S.A. Contribution to FUSION

RASA’s Expertise
Ramiro Arnedo, S.A. (RASA) specializes in the research, development, and production of horticultural seeds, including peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, melon, eggplant, bean, and artichoke. Their work focuses on developing new varieties resistant to diseases and adapted to climate change challenges, such as rising temperatures and drought.

Contribution to FUSION
Within the FUSION project, RASA is testing new greenhouse pepper varieties under different climatic conditions:

• Biougra (Agadir, Morocco): Five varieties of bell and conical peppers (red, yellow, green) are evaluated under high-temperature conditions typical of commercial greenhouses in the region.

• El Mirador (Cartagena, Spain): One commercial bell pepper variety is tested under two irrigation regimes: standard management and a 25% reduced dose (75% of regular irrigation) to compare performance under water scarcity.

Parameters assessed include fruit number, weight, shape, color intensity, cracking, firmness, plant vigor, and continuity. Fruits from the El Mirador trial will also be evaluated using the FUSION store prototype (portable refrigeration store) to assess long-term storage performance and food waste reduction.

Relevance within the Consortium
RASA provides key data on pepper varieties best adapted to Mediterranean climate conditions. Key goals include:

• Climate Adaptation: Developing varieties resistant to heat and drought while maintaining high yield and quality.

• Sustainability: Combining climate adaptation with disease resistance to minimize the use of chemical products, resulting in a positive impact on air, water, and soil quality.

• Innovation in Logistics: Testing commercial varieties in the portable refrigeration store to extend shelf life.

• Collaborative Research: Providing pepper fruits for testing other FUSION technologies and contributing to guides of good practices.

Additional Impact
RASA’s involvement strengthens collaborations between research institutions, cooperatives, and private companies within the agri-food value chain. The project aims to:

• Increase Biodiversity: Expand the number of varieties available to farmers, thereby reducing dependence on large multinational companies.

• Competitiveness: Strengthen RASA’s position in Mediterranean markets by offering solutions tailored to the specific needs of local customers and ecosystems.