ISHS Acta Horticulturae 533: VIII International Symposium on Timing Field Production in Vegetable Crops
SOWING TIME INFLUENCES CAULIFLOWER SEED PRODUCTION |
| Authors: | G. Incalcaterra, G. Iapichino |
| Keywords: | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L., planting date, seed germination, climatic conditions, flowering |
| Abstract:
"Cavolfiore Verde di Palermo" is a green curded cauliflower widely grown in Western Sicily. Depending on the harvesting time various types of "Cavolfiore Verde di Palermo" are cultivated all year round. These types are locally maintained by farmers. Seeds are collected from selected plants and thereafter used to produce bare rooted transplants. However, little is known about cultural practices required for seed production in Sicily. As optimum sowing time for cauliflower seed production can vary according to cultivars and climatic conditions, information found in the literature is not adaptable to every situation. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different sowing dates on cauliflower seed production in Sicily. Seeds of a summer maturing type of "Cavolfiore Verde di Palermo" were monthly sown from January to December and transplanted at the 4–5 leaf stage of development. Sowing dates significantly affected cauliflower seed production. The highest seed yields were obtained from plants raised from seeds sown either in April (1000 kg/ha) or in May (1120 kg/ha). The lowest seed productions were recorded with the July and August sowings. Our results showed that, in Western Sicily climatic conditions, sowing dates for cauliflower seed production must be planned in order to avoid that either young plants at the first stage of development or mature plants at the flowering stage being subjected to adverse environmental conditions. This can be achieved along the Western coast of Sicily by sowing from late March to May. | |
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