ISHS Acta Horticulturae 533: VIII International Symposium on Timing Field Production in Vegetable Crops
LATE SOWING DATES AND HIGH PLANT DENSITY IN SIX CULTIVARS OF BROCCOLI FOR PROCESSING |
| Author: | G. Damato |
| Keywords: | yield, timing field production, Brassica oleracea, var. italica Plenck |
| Abstract:
Processors need a continuing supply of broccoli heads and normally the product is scarce in January and February. The aim of these experiments was to increase production in January and February by late sowing, cultivars and high plant density. A preliminary experiment was conducted in the first year with two cultivars (Grande and Toro) sown directly in the field on September 19 and October 15. In the second year six cultivars were seeded on September 26 and October 9. In both years seedlings were thinned to 12.5, 8.3 and 6.3 plants m-2. In the second year a continuous production was obtained from mid January to mid April. The influence of sowing dates on yield characteristics was negligible. By delaying seeding by 13 days the harvest of central heads (CH) was delayed by 26 days. Late cultivars were more productive (Toro and Compact, 10 t ha-1 of CH in average) while lower yields were picked with ‘Grande’ (5.0 t ha-1). By increasing plant density the yield of CH increased, while the weight and diameter decreased. The goal to produce broccoli in January and February was achieved. | |
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