Australia
October 30, 2025
The currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) remains one of the most persistent challenges in lettuce production.
Hidden deep within the heart of the plant, the currant-lettuce aphid can cause serious quality and yield losses and is notoriously difficult to control once established.
Rijk Zwaan first introduced lettuce varieties with resistance to N. ribisnigri in 1996. However, the aphid evolved to overcome that resistance in 2007, reinforcing the need for continual research and breeding innovation. Rijk Zwaan continues to invest deeply in R&D to stay ahead of these challenges and deliver reliable solutions that help growers protect yield and quality.
After years of testing and collaboration between our breeding and phytopathology teams, Rijk Zwaan has now identified a new source of resistance. This discovery prevents the aphid from suppressing the plant’s natural defences, offering a stronger and more durable level of protection.
This breakthrough demonstrates our ongoing commitment to helping growers stay ahead of evolving pest pressures. The new resistance will be incorporated into future varieties, combining robust lettuce aphid defence with the high yield, quality and reliability growers expect from Rijk Zwaan genetics.
For information on availability and variety performance under Australian conditions, please contact your local Rijk Zwaan representative.
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