Move over normal, sugary enhanced and supersweet types, Novartis Seeds has developed an entirely new endosperm that combines the benefits of homozygous sugary enhanced varieties with supersweet varieties.

TripleSweet™ is a new class of sweet corn that combines the exceptional tenderness and flavor of sugary enhanced types with extra sweetness and an extended shelf life. Consequently, TripleSweet™ varieties can be harvested over a longer period and deliver more consistent, long-lasting sweetness than sugary enhanced varieties, even under stress from high temperatures. This is possible because the sugary enhanced genetics are enhanced with supersweet genes in 25% of the kernels. TripleSweet™ varieties are ideal for roadside markets and local shipping. Serendipity , the world‘s first TripleSweet™variety is already available. Serendipity is an 82-day bi-color that has consistently produced a high percentage of 8-inch ears filled to the tip with 16 to 18 rows of tender kernels. This unique new variety is currently available for Spring 2000 through commercial fresh market, wholesale, and catalog seed dealers.

Novartis expects to launch the first yellow TripleSweet™ variety early in the Year 2000. Future plans call for a complete lineup of yellow, bicolor, and white TripleSweet™ hybrids.

Novartis Seeds, Inc. - Vegetables is a leading U.S. agriculture and research company based in Boise, Idaho, that develops value-added genetics, and produces and markets vegetable and melon seed under the ROGERS® brand. Additional facilities are located in Nampa and Twin Falls, Idaho; Gilroy and Woodland, California; Naples, Florida; and Othello, Washington. It is part of Novartis Seeds AG, a worldwide seed company, and Novartis, a world leader in Life Sciences with core businesses in Healthcare, Agribusiness, and Consumer Health (Nutrition and Self-Medication). In 1998 Novartis Group sales were $21.8 billion, of which $12 billion were in Healthcare, $5.8 billion in Agribusiness, and $4 billion in Consumer Health. The group annually invests more than $2.6 billion in research and development. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis employs about 82,000 people and operates in over 140 countries around the world. The company’s US headquarters are located in Summit, New Jersey.

Company news release
N2163