Seminis, Inc., the world's leading developer, producer and marketer of vegetable and fruit seeds, has acquired Barham Seeds Inc., a company dedicated to the research and development of top seedless watermelon varieties.

The transaction, according to Seminis, will enhance the product lines of the company's multiple
brands, including Asgrow Vegetable Seeds, Petoseed and Royal Sluis.

"The BSI watermelon germplasm represents decades of intensive breeding for outstanding traits
critical to market-leading products,'' said Fredrick Bliss Ph.D., director of plant breeding for Seminis. "The excellent seedless materials from BSI will add significantly to our brands' ability to provide growers with new hybrids that satisfy consumer preferences.''

Market trends show a rapidly increasing worldwide demand for high-quality seedless watermelon. In California alone, seedless varieties constitute an estimated 60% of the commercial watermelon crop, a trend attributed to their popularity with the fresh-cut produce industry and consumer preferences for the convenience and flavor of seedless types.

As a result of this acquisition, Bliss says, breeder Rob Barham, based in Gilroy, California, will now continue his program through the Seminis research organization, providing quality products to the Seminis brands.

Company news release
N2109