Abstract
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) growth and yield are impacted in warmer climates, especially during the dry season. Broccoli gives low yield and quality although it is heat-tolerant cultivars. Zeolite is an organic material recognized as suitable for dry season plant growth because it can adsorb cations, nutrients and water and release on demand from the plant. Application of zeolite in the soil may improve broccoli growth and yield during the dry season. The trial preparation followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications involving five amounts of zeolite at 0, 1.56, 3.12, 4.68 and 6.24 t ha-1 using broccoli cultivar ‘Top Green’. Results showed that zeolite applications of 4.68 and 6.24 t ha-1 improved growth and yield parameters including plant width, stem diameter, time to 50% flowering and harvest, head diameter and head weight better than the other treatments. Application of zeolite at 6.24 t ha-1 gave high total broccoli yield of 8.45 t ha-1 but not significantly different (p?0.05) from 4.68 t ha-1 that gave 7.89 t ha-1. Results indicated that application of zeolite at 4.68 t ha-1 was optimal for reducing drought stress and enhancing effective growth and yield of broccoli.
Highlights
Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae family which consists of the Cole crops viz., cauliflower, cabbage and kale [1] that originated from the Mediterranean region [2]
The shading technology under greenhouse is recommended for broccoli farmers
Application of zeolite did not significantly affect broccoli seedling survival (Fig. 2A) and height compared to the control, with values of 72.65 to 82.02% and 42.09 to 44.76 cm respectively
Summary
Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae family which consists of the Cole crops viz., cauliflower, cabbage and kale [1] that originated from the Mediterranean region [2]. In Thailand, broccoli cultivation has recently expanded, with increased production to satisfy the requirements of domestic consumers[6]. The most suitable temperature for broccoli cultivation is between 10 and 20°C [1]. In Thailand, broccoliis generally cultivated in northern areas where temperatures are lower or northeastern regions during the cool season [3, 7]. Southern areas are humid with no cool season and unsuitable for broccoli growth, while local consumers generate high product demand [8].To meet consumption demands in the south, heat-tolerant broccoli cultivars such as ‘Green Queen’, ‘Yok Kheo’ and ‘Top Green’ have been developed as better adapted to humid tropical weather [9]
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