Nabila

Nabila is one of two cultivars the Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti selected specifically for Mediterranean growing. The plants were raised in a Polish nursery in 2009 and planted at Battipaglia in southern Italy that September.

The brief was a warm-winter cultivar that did not depend on soil fumigation — CIV markets both Nabila and its sister variety Rania as not requiring soil disinfection.

Productivity is its strongest claim: CIV reports yields superior to standard varieties, attributed to efficient rooting that lets it perform even in tired soils, and to unusually abundant pollen giving quick, complete pollination.

Pollination matters more than growers expect. Poorly pollinated berries come out misshapen, and misshapen fruit drops a grade regardless of how it tastes. A variety that sets cleanly protects the top-grade share that decides your realisation.

The fruit itself is regular and conical, intensely coloured over the whole surface with a slight gloss, and eats very sweet with a strong aroma.

Uniformity is what Nabila sells. Where fruit goes into punnets, hampers or gift packs and is effectively bought by appearance and count, a regular conical berry with even colour is worth more than a heavier misshapen one.

The tired-soil tolerance is worth a look for anyone replanting the same ground season after season, which describes a good deal of the belt. Treat CIV's claims as the breeder's own and trial it on a small area before committing acreage.