“We pulled Bernabel out in mid-May and the plants were still green and actively regrowing”

Antonio Vicioso, who grew one hectare of Bernabel for the first time this season, Harmoniz’s late-cycle red bell pepper, is clear about one thing: “I’ll grow it again.” And he has plenty of reasons why.

Vicioso transplanted the crop around 5 August in an area between El Ejido and La Mojonera. He cleared the crop in mid-May and, even then, “the plants were still green and continuing to regrow.”

By that point, he had already harvested more than 10 kg/m², something he attributes to the variety’s excellent fruit set during what was a climatically difficult season, especially in an area like his, where winter temperatures can be 5 to 6ºC lower than in other parts of western Almería.

“Bernabel is a very vigorous variety,” he says, referring to its powerful root system, which is combined with an open, well-aerated plant structure, small leaves and a resistance package that gives growers real confidence.

The open plant habit makes it easier to detect and manage Thrips parvispinus, while also helping to reduce problems linked to excess humidity, such as disease and fungal pressure. “Bernabel hasn’t shown any skin marking, and I haven’t had issues with rots or cracking either,” he explains.

As for the resistance package, Vicioso says he has been able to see its effectiveness for himself. “I haven’t had any problems with powdery mildew,” he adds.

Size and consistency

The grower also highlights the uniform fruit size from the first sets onwards, with mainly L-XL calibres throughout the cycle, as well as the attractive colour both at the green and red stages. “It performs very well for green harvests,” he says, while also underlining the firmness of the fruit.

“They’re very firm. I’ve never seen peppers this firm before,” he says, a characteristic that gives the fruit excellent hanging ability and very good post-harvest shelf life.

For all these reasons, Vicioso has no doubts: “I’ve really liked Bernabel.” So much so that after this first season, he has already decided to grow it again.

The Harmoniz range

Alongside Bernabel, Harmoniz’s bell pepper portfolio also includes Bonáyar, a yellow variety, and Bocos, a new variety this season for even later transplant windows than Bernabel, from mid-August and even early September.

All three varieties offer strong returns for growers thanks to their high productivity, consistent fruit quality throughout the cycle and open plant structure, a trait increasingly valued by producers. They also combine resistance to L4, TSWV and powdery mildew.

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