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Radicchio – An Italian Conquers Austria

Radicchio – An Italian Conquers Austria

Radicchio – An Italian Conquers Austria In the spring of 2024, the Experimental Station for Special Crops in Wies, on the initiative of Andrea Pölz (Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Austria) together with the Italian radicchio breeder Andrea Ghedina (Smarties.bio), organized a technical seminar dedicated to radicchio.  It was therefore an opportunity to closely examine a total of 21 varieties. This Italian specialty was mentioned for the first time in the 16th century. It is assumed that the varieties o that time had a much lower percentage of red leaves compared to those cultivated today. It is a fact that...

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Smarties Bio
Radicchios, variously colored vegetables with a bittersweet flavor

Radicchios, variously colored vegetables with a bittersweet flavor

Typically grown from summer for autumn-winter harvests, numerous types are available on the market, differing in shape, head color, and cultivation cycle length.   The vegetables known as radicchio are cultivated forms of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus), in some cases crossed with a similar plant, endive (Cichorium endivia), also called escarole, which has been native to and cultivated for millennia, especially in the Mediterranean basin. The various species of the genus Cichorium are inter-fertile, meaning they can cross-pollinate and produce fertile seeds. It is largely thanks to this characteristic that the richness of radicchio types exists today. Radicchio is a...

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Smarties Bio
Smarties.bio: In search of Taste

Smarties.bio: In search of Taste

Hello friends of the Smarties.bio World! History teaches that the flavor and healthiness of foods are linked to the differences in the food traditions of various areas of the world. When Europeans colonized the New World in the 15th century, they discovered plant species that were then unknown, but which today are part of our traditional cuisine: the potato, the tomato, the chili pepper and many others. It was the beginning of a first form of food globalization and a slow culinary hybridization. The introduction of some vegetables into foreign food cultures encountered difficulties in becoming slowly integrated. Without having...

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Smarties Bio
Smarties.bio: Agricultural Innovation for Biodiversity and Neorural Living

Smarties.bio: Agricultural Innovation for Biodiversity and Neorural Living

Hello friends of the Smarties.bio World!, We are thrilled to provide you with a fascinating glimpse into Smarties.bio's agricultural innovation, offering a preview of the rich content available in the full article published on VEZ News. Smarties.bio is shaking up the agricultural world with its cutting-edge genetic research, dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity and supporting neorural living. Smarties.bio's Commitment to Biodiversity The full article delves into the core of Smarties.bio, highlighting its commitment to biodiversity through genetic research. You will discover how Smarties.bio is leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to preserve the genetic diversity of crops, contributing to environmental conservation and food security. Genetic...

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News

Safeguarding traditional onions: recovering local varieties to improve seed quality and preserve biodiversity

Safeguarding traditional onions: recovering local varieties to improve seed quality and preserve biodiversity

Eight onion varieties, eight stories rooted in the land, and one shared goal: enhancing Italy’s horticultural heritage through the recovery of trad...
Smarties.bio featured in Vogue: a journey exploring chicory and the biodiversity of Italian radicchio

Smarties.bio featured in Vogue: a journey exploring chicory and the biodiversity of Italian radicchio

On September 29, 2026, Vogue published “All Hail the Chicory—The Most Wonderful Thing You Can Put On Your Plate”, an article by journalist Tamar A...
LiveSeeding: Brussels hosts the grand final event for the future of organic seed in Europe

LiveSeeding: Brussels hosts the grand final event for the future of organic seed in Europe

Smarties.bio takes part in the final exhibition of the European LiveSeeding project, bringing together research, biodiversity and new seed polici...
October Recommendations

October Recommendations

Recommended products for October: the best Smarties.bio varieties for autumn-winter production October is one of the most important months for crop...
Smarties.bio Autumn/Winter Open Day: discover the new varieties and projects for the upcoming season

Smarties.bio Autumn/Winter Open Day: discover the new varieties and projects for the upcoming season

After the great interest received during the spring and summer Open Days, Smarties.bio is once again opening the doors of its experimental fields w...
Smarties.bio at Scandicci: the 72 Ore di Biodiversità and the LLD Forum 2026

Smarties.bio at Scandicci: the 72 Ore di Biodiversità and the LLD Forum 2026

There are events that, edition after edition, become a fixture in Smarties.bio's calendar. One of these is Scandicci, where from 21 to 24 May 2026 ...
Smarties.bio at the University of Bari: a seminar on biodiversity, genetics and quality seeds

Smarties.bio at the University of Bari: a seminar on biodiversity, genetics and quality seeds

Sharing its journey with the research community has always been one of the values upon which Smarties.bio builds its identity. It is precisely with...
September Recommendations

September Recommendations

The recommended products for September: focus on the Wild Rocket, Onion and Corn Salad ranges September marks the beginning of a new phase for prof...
Smarties.bio Books

Smarties.bio Books

Smarties.bio Books: books for those who love seeds, land and food There is a way of cultivating that goes beyond the vegetable garden and the field...
How to Grow Radicchio: A Complete Guide to have High-Quality Harvests

How to Grow Radicchio: A Complete Guide to have High-Quality Harvests

Radicchio is one of the most iconic crops in Italian horticulture, appreciated for its intense flavor, crisp texture, and outstanding versatility i...
August Recommendations

August Recommendations

Recommended Products for August: Focus on the Smarties.bio Rocket Range August is a strategic month for planning leafy crop production. As summer g...
Late July: The Last Opportunity to Sow Cicoria and Radicchio Tardivo Varieties

Late July: The Last Opportunity to Sow Cicoria and Radicchio Tardivo Varieties

As July comes to an end, growers enter a crucial stage in planning autumn and winter production. For many Cicoria e Radicchio Tardivo varieties, th...
The Smarties.bio Lettuce Range Expands: Discover Myrtha and Maddalena, the New Additions to the Collection

The Smarties.bio Lettuce Range Expands: Discover Myrtha and Maddalena, the New Additions to the Collection

In professional horticulture, varietal selection is one of the key factors in achieving high-quality, consistent production capable of meeting the ...
Nursery Sowing Guide: The Basics for Growing Healthy and Vigorous Seedlings

Nursery Sowing Guide: The Basics for Growing Healthy and Vigorous Seedlings

Nursery sowing is a strategic stage in the success of any vegetable crop, just as important as field cultivation. In fact, 50% of a crop's success ...
The Smarties.bio Radicchio range: innovation and biodiversity

The Smarties.bio Radicchio range: innovation and biodiversity

When it comes to radicchio and chicories, Italian tradition meets a unique genetic heritage. Over the years, Smarties.bio has bred a comprehensive ...
July Recommendations

July Recommendations

Recommended products for July: radicchio, endive, and the great news: introduction to 10 brassica varieties Summer represents a key moment for plan...
Smarties.bio: Innovation and Agricultural Tradition

Smarties.bio: Innovation and Agricultural Tradition

In the landscape of modern agriculture, breeding represents one of the most important tools for increasing production quality, enhancing plant res...
Forcing and Whitening of Chicory

Forcing and Whitening of Chicory

Forcing and whitening are traditional agronomic techniques used to improve the quality, taste, and texture of certain chicory varieties. This proce...
The new Smarties.bio radicchios: genetic innovation and sustainable vision

The new Smarties.bio radicchios: genetic innovation and sustainable vision

The Smarties.bio radicchio range expands with four new varieties that represent the tangible result of genetic improvement and the company’s ongoin...
June Recommendations

June Recommendations

Recommended products for June: focus on the Smarties.bio chicory and radicchio range  June is a strategic month for planning autumn and winter crop...
Smarties.bio Spring Open Days: three events to discover our “Grow Different”

Smarties.bio Spring Open Days: three events to discover our “Grow Different”

Spring 2026 represented a special moment of sharing and exchange for Smarties.bio. With three Open Days organized at our headquarters and showcase ...
Smarties.bio Workshop at LA RAPA BENDATA

Smarties.bio Workshop at LA RAPA BENDATA

On March 9, 2026, LA RAPA BENDATA hosted an outstanding event: a workshop focused on brassicas, radicchio, and forcing techniques. It was a moment ...
ALBASCURA: the new lettuce by Smarties.bio combining quality and innovation

ALBASCURA: the new lettuce by Smarties.bio combining quality and innovation

In the professional vegetable seed world, Smarties.bio continues to stand out for its genetic research, sustainability, and attention to farmers’ n...
May Recommendations

May Recommendations

May Recommendations: baby lettuce, rocket, and corn salad for high-quality production May represents a strategic period for spring–summer sowing, w...
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