Nachtvlinder BV is a real family business. Together with their daughter Ellen Akerboom, Peter and Gerda Akerboom are engaged in the breeding of various crops. In 1980, Peter Akerboom started breeding Asters for cut flowers. Nowadays, the Asters are the company’s main specialty next to Helleborus and they also do some work in breeding Eryngium and Solidago. The company is based in the village of Ter Aar in The Netherlands.
How many of your aster varieties are being protected by CPVO and in which countries they are being cultivated?
About 20 aster varieties are already being protected through CPVO and further we have about 50 varieties in final testing stage with numerous others still in development. Our species are grown in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ecuador and the rest of the world. These are mainly well-known varieties whose plant breeders' rights have expired.
Initially, our varieties are all grown commercially in our own greenhouse to see if they are suitable for large-scale cultivation. We select species that still contain the natural resilience of the Aster genus, leaving us with the strongest possible assortment. If these are met, we are then looking to see whether the flower shape and growth are also suitable for the market. The aim is to keep as much genetic variation as possible in order to be able to use all possible natural characteristics the genus contains, which allows us to grow almost without chemicals and energy. This has always been our starting point but it is now becoming even more important.
Apart from Asters, you are specialized in breeding also Helleborus. Can you tell us more about it?
We started with Helleborus about 25 years ago because we were looking for a crop that bloomed in winter. We did then and still do production of Asters as cut flowers and that ran roughly from May through October. In the winter months we had less to do so we started looking for something that bloomed in the winter to have more work in the winter and we ended up with Helleborus. At that time the Helleborus was still relatively unknown and we started buying plants from collectors and that's where we started selection and crossing.
Through years of selection with an emphasis on regaining the original resistance to disease and vigor, we have managed to create a range that can be grown virtually without artificial intervention (pesticides and inhibition). They are almost impervious to diseases and pests.
Our assortment consists of 2 series of self-developed Helleborus orientalis hybrids: Double Ellen® and Pretty Ellen. The Double Ellen® varieties, with their double row of petals. The double flower gives this species a higher ornamental value. Even out of bloom these flowers remain beautiful for a long time.
Continuous selection, hand pollination and passion for Helleborus are the secret of our high quality plants. In addition to flower colour and shape, we select in our breeding on, among other things, vigor and flowering in the first year. This approach results in selections that grow well, flower quickly and are almost impervious to diseases and pests. More than 90% of the plants we deliver in May will flower between January and March of the following year.
What motivated you to seek protection from the CPVO for your plant varieties? How does your business benefit from the legal certainty provided by the CPVO system?
CPVO offers legal protection to our newly developed plant varieties and plays vital support in protecting our efforts as a family-run business. We have more than 20 aster varieties already being protected through CPVO and around 50 other varieties in final testing stage.
How do you perceive the role of biodiversity in the future of plant genetics, and how can the CPVO system aid in its protection and promotion?
We have always considered the role of crop biodiversity as the highest criteria by maintaining the widest possible genetic base, preserving the original resistance of the plant and only slightly steering in traits for the desired appearance.
The important thing is to keep undisturbed use of all genetic traits of plants. So it is necessary to register as few patents on plant traits as possible. For specific traits specially created by the breeder or in the lab, a patent could possibly offer a solution. But this must be well substantiated otherwise it becomes a great danger.
In what ways is Nachtvlinder taking proactive measures to adapt to the environmental challenges brought about by climate change?
Today's trend of obtaining various certifications is something we find challenging. It feels like the authorities are continuously demanding from us in order to formalise the already agreed rules for use of resources and manners. We have to assume that we apply the best measures of our own accord to work as cleanly and as socially as possible. In our opinion, this is already present in the Dutch law. The process of obtaining certifications has benefits only if it really allows you to stand out; in other words, to be even more progressive than we already think we are. Even the foreign customers we work with also have the environment and social aspects in high regard. This is not due to certification but this is simply expected of you.
