As part of American Vegetable Grower’s (AVG) 2014 variety trial coverage, we visited Bejo Seeds in Geneva, NY, to find out about some of the latest offerings from the seed company. AVG toured several demonstration plots and got the scoop on some new tomatoes, a new pink onion, and more.
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Mountain Vineyard
The first appearance of Mountain Vineyard, a compact indeterminate grape tomato, was at Bejo Seeds’ demonstration trials in Geneva, NY, this summer. Known for its sweet flavor and high lycopene, the variety is resistant to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), making it a good fit for the Mid-Atlantic growing region as TSWV can be a problem in that area, says Dennis Ferlito, facility manager, at Bejo Seeds’s research and demonstration farm in New York. This variety also offers improved interior and exterior color and crack resistance.
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Tonopah
Formerly known as BSS-832, Tonopah is in its second year of commercial sales. An extra-large tomato, this variety performs well from Florida to states in the north. Tonopah is resistant to Fusarium races 1 and 2 and Verticillium wilt, and is suitable for vine ripe and mature green production.
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BSS-1056
BSS-1056 is a new beefsteak variety that produces high yields and is Bejo’s latest TSWV release, Bejo's Dennis Ferlito says. A main-season, large-fruited variety, BSS-1056 has performed well in spring slots in Florida and during the main season in North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. Fruit weigh between 9.5 and 15 ounces.
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BGS-300
A new pink onion, BGS-300 is slated to be named in January, but Bejo Seeds' Dennis Ferlito says seed is currently available. “There are not many pinks on the market now. This variety will be a good performer in the Northeast,” he adds.
A long-day variety featuring a pink interior, BGS-300 is easy to grow, features strong skin and stores well for long periods.
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Mokum
A recent offering from Bejo is Mokum, a sweet carrot that boasts 9-inch tops. The color and flavor develop early with this variety, and it features 6-by-¾ inch slender roots. Mokum is said to be easy to grow and has great texture.
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Burney
Burney, also known as B-2863, is one of the first varieties suitable for summer slots in the Northeast. According to Ferlito, this new broccoli typically comes in four to five days ahead of any other broccoli variety. It also boasts excellent heat resistance. Burney is one of the few broccoli varieties for the Northeast that performs well in July, and produces well-formed heads with excellent uniformity and good weight. It is designed for the mid-summer slot.
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Avalanche
A new white beet variety, Avalanche features round bulks with white flesh. For short storage, Avalanche offers a good disease resistance package and has an excellent sweet flavor. This variety matures in approximately 107 days.
December 2, 2014 
