A closely-knit team

At a time when domestic breeding and research activities in Romania were on the decline, foreign companies like KWS recognized the enormous potential of the local seed market. About 24 years ago, KWS began testing corn hybrids in microplots in the south of the country. “Back then I was collaborating with KWS Seminte as part of my work at a national research institute from the start,” says Marian Zamfir, who is now Research and Breeding Manager at the Alexandria station.

In the fall of 2004, KWS expanded the existing team to include a research and development department, and Marian joined the company. As a result, he was also involved when the first KWS station was set up in a leased building the following year. “Because our activities diversified and the team grew, we built a separate breeding station in the same region six years later.” Marian cites the fact that the south of the country is “a very suitable region for growing corn” as the reason for choosing Alexandria as the location – it boasts some of the most fertile soil in the world.

In Alexandria, the breeding team led by George Musat and the research and development team headed by Marian Zamfir work under the same roof to develop corn hybrids for the Romanian and Southeastern European markets, as well as some Western European markets. “In the face of global warming, drought tolerance is the most important criterion when selecting our genetic material for new hybrids,” says Marian. In Romania, they are grouped under the ClimaCONTROL3 concept. The Plus4GRAIN concept includes varieties that are intended for well-irrigated regions and deliver very high yields. “Our greatest achievement is that we are establishing successful varieties in our stable test network throughout Romania and consolidating KWS’ position in the market.”

Sunflowers since 2013

In addition to the main activity of corn hybrids, the first tests of sunflower varieties began in Alexandria in 2013. “These trials on our plots now account for around 35 percent of our total work,” states Marian. The sunflower breeding team also grew accordingly. Indeed, Marian singles out the team at the station as the mainstay for the past two decades of success. “In all these years, not a single colleague has left the team, which I believe is a great accomplishment.” With these colleagues, KWS has “a team of people who are dedicated to this profession, proficient and very ambitious.” |