Chicarita

Growing Practice: Experience with 'Chicarita'

When working with the Rijk Zwaan 'Chicarita' hybrid, the first thing you notice is the predictability of the result. As an agronomist specializing in iceberg lettuce, I value this variety for its technological efficiency: a 60–70 day maturity period allows for precise harvest scheduling. You don't have to guess whether the plant will form a head before the summer heat peak.

Field Performance and Resistance

Visually, 'Chicarita' stands out with its rich dark green color, which persists even under intense sunlight. A planting density of 80,000–100,000 plants per hectare is the 'gold standard' for this segment, ensuring medium-sized heads ideal for retail and processing. A crucial point for us is its resistance to tip burn. Under stress conditions, when fluctuating humidity or temperatures trigger leaf scorching, this hybrid remains more resilient than many of its counterparts. This significantly reduces waste during sorting and packaging.

Operational Features

• Density: 80,000–100,000 plants/ha is the optimal balance for consistent head weight.
• Harvesting: The head forms dense and uniform, simplifying both mechanical processes and manual cutting.
• Crop Management: Despite its genetic resistance to necrosis, I recommend following a strict irrigation schedule, as iceberg is highly demanding regarding soil moisture uniformity.

For a farmer aiming for a stable output without end-of-season surprises, choosing 'Chicarita' is a rational and well-founded decision. Its stable habit and high marketability make it one of the most reliable tools in the Rijk Zwaan portfolio.