4 July 2025 News
Earlier this week, the International Bremia Evaluation Board Europe (IBEB-EU) announced that no new races of Bremia lactucae have been designated in 2025. The most recent races – Bl:38EU, Bl:39EU, Bl:40EU, and Bl:41EU – remain the dominant strains in the field, with Bl:41EU now accounting for 41% of all isolates collected. Notably, Bl:38EU and Bl:39EU are gaining prevalence, while Bl:40EU is showing a decline.
Now more than ever, resistant portfolios gain importance as they are the only solution in the fight against Bremia. Our leafy portfolios offer full Bremia resistance from Bl:29EU to Bl:41EU which is going together with strong agronomical performance. This ensures that producers are equipped with reliable, sustainable solutions to protect their crops and maximize yield, even under increasing disease pressure.
Our Bremia-resistant lettuce varieties span all leafy crop segments. These varieties not only support growers with better field performance and post-harvest quality but also benefit the entire value chain – from guaranteed supply and improved shelf life for retailers to cleaner, healthier produce for consumers.
Bremia lactucae, or downy mildew, remains one of the most significant threats to lettuce production, capable of causing substantial crop losses. By integrating high-resistance genetics into our varieties, we help growers reduce their reliance on chemical treatments, lower input costs, and ensure more consistent yields – even in challenging conditions.
Our resistant portfolios are designed to offer growers a comprehensive defense against downy mildew, helping prevent the development and spread of new Bremia races.
Discover more about our Bremia resistant portfolios here
Read the full IBEB-EU announcement: Press Release IBEB-EU
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