Taiwan Develops New Chives Variety Yielding 8 Harvests Annually

After seven years of dedicated breeding, Taiwan's Taichung Agricultural Research and Extension Station has unveiled a new chives variety, "Taichung No. 1." This development promises to significantly enhance both yield and quality for farmers and consumers alike. The station is preparing to apply for plant variety rights, with plans to license the new strain to agricultural companies.

"Taichung No. 1" offers a substantial increase in harvest frequency, providing 7 to 8 cuts per year compared to the 5 to 7 cuts typical of current domestic varieties. This increased yield translates to a 5% to 20% boost in production. Beyond quantity, the new chives boast wider, softer leaves with less fiber, making them more tender and easier to chew, thus improving their culinary appeal.

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Do you know how many times chives can be harvested in a year?

According to Lan Xuan-jin, an associate researcher at the station, the breeding process involved "pure line selection" from the "Luzon variety." Chives only flower once a year, necessitating the seven-year development cycle. "Taichung No. 1" features a shorter bolting period of just one month, compared to the three months for the "Luzon variety," which allows for more frequent harvesting. Its fiber content is also lower than existing varieties, enhancing its texture.

The improved variety is projected to increase annual yields significantly. With an average yield of 18,693 kilograms per hectare over three years, it surpasses the "Japanese large-leaf variety" by 5.2% and the "Luzon variety" by 20.2%. At an estimated price of NT$40 per kilogram, this could generate a gross revenue of NT$747,730 per hectare, representing the highest income potential among the compared varieties.

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After seven years of pure line selection, we have successfully bred 'Taichung No. 1'. Its leaves are wide and thick, with a fiber content of 12.7%, which is more tender than the Luzon variety's 13.6% and the Japanese large-leaf variety's 14.1%. The bolting period is shortened to one month, allowing for 8 harvests per year.