Organic Cauliflower Research Articles

Production cost analysis of organic and conventional vegetable seedlings

This study investigated the economic differences between organic and conventional seedling production of vegetables in Louisiana (US) during 2018. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower organic and conventional seeds were used. Cost analysis was conducted for organic and conventional seedling production, including trays, containers (100 count flats), seeds, substrate, fertilizers, water used for fertilizer treatment, and irrigating the crop, labour, and greenhouse space utilized. Calculations were based on total production cost and net returns for 1 flat, 100 flats, for the production of 100 flats in 3 repetitions, and for the space of 100 m² in the greenhouse. After seedlings reached suitable growth for transplanting, a survey was conducted to determine potential demand for the production of organic and conventional vegetable seedlings for home gardeners. The total production cost of one plant/repetition equated to organic broccoli $0.31, organic cabbage $0.26, and organic cauliflower $0.30, whereas conventional seedlings equated to broccoli $0.15, cabbage $0.11, cauliflower $0.16. The net returns in the production of conventional seedlings for 100 flats 3x per year for broccoli $2,808.1, cabbage $3,498.1, cauliflower $2,760.7 was higher compared to organic seedlings: broccoli $1,201.01 (57.2 % lower than conventional), cabbage $2,118.06 (39.4% lower than conventional), cauliflower $1,572.1 (43 % lower than conventional). In the production of seedlings per 100 m², net returns were almost doubled for conventional seedlings compared to organic seedlings. Despite needing to recoup higher costs for organic vegetable transplants, more Louisiana consumers (65 %) prefer to pay a higher price to buy organic vegetable seedlings compared to conventional vegetable seedlings.

Production cost analysis of organic and conventional vegetable seedlings

This study investigated the economic differences between organic and conventional seedling production of vegetables in Louisiana (US) during 2018. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower organic and conventional seeds were used. Cost analysis was conducted for organic and conventional seedling production, including trays, containers (100 count flats), seeds, substrate, fertilizers, water used for fertilizer treatment, and irrigating the crop, labour, and greenhouse space utilized. Calculations were based on total production cost and net returns for 1 flat, 100 flats, for the production of 100 flats in 3 repetitions, and for the space of 100 m² in the greenhouse. After seedlings reached suitable growth for transplanting, a survey was conducted to determine potential demand for the production of organic and conventional vegetable seedlings for home gardeners. The total production cost of one plant/repetition equated to organic broccoli $0.31, organic cabbage $0.26, and organic cauliflower $0.30, whereas conventional seedlings equated to broccoli $0.15, cabbage $0.11, cauliflower $0.16. The net returns in the production of conventional seedlings for 100 flats 3x per year for broccoli $2,808.1, cabbage $3,498.1, cauliflower $2,760.7 was higher compared to organic seedlings: broccoli $1,201.01 (57.2 % lower than conventional), cabbage $2,118.06 (39.4% lower than conventional), cauliflower $1,572.1 (43 % lower than conventional). In the production of seedlings per 100 m², net returns were almost doubled for conventional seedlings compared to organic seedlings. Despite needing to recoup higher costs for organic vegetable transplants, more Louisiana consumers (65 %) prefer to pay a higher price to buy organic vegetable seedlings compared to conventional vegetable seedlings.

Comparative Study of Elemental Nutrients in Organic and Conventional Vegetables Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

In this study, the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique was used to identify and compare the presence of major nutrient elements in organic and conventional vegetables. Different parts of cauliflowers and broccolis were used as working samples. Laser-induced breakdown spectra from these samples were acquired at optimum values of laser energy, gate delay, and gate width. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for the comparison of these organic and conventional vegetable flowers. Principal component analysis (PCA) was taken into account for multivariate analysis while for univariate analysis, the intensity of selected atomic lines of different elements and their intensity ratio with some reference lines of organic cauliflower and broccoli samples were compared with those of conventional ones. In addition, different parts of the cauliflower and broccoli were compared in terms of intensity and intensity ratio of elemental lines.

Responses of natural 15N abundance in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) and soil to the application of organic and chemical fertilizers

Natural nitrogen isotope abundance (δ15N) has been suggested as a potential indicator for discriminating organic vegetables from their conventional counterparts. However, little is known about the δ15N characteristic of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) under organic production and how the application of chemical fertilizers could affect this characteristic. In this study, δ15N characteristics of cauliflower (including the intra-plant δ15N characteristic) and soil under different fertilization treatments were investigated under field conditions. Five treatments were laid out: control, chemical fertilizers (F4M0), organic fertilizer (F0M4), and chemical fertilizer in combination with organic fertilizer at the ratio of 3:1 (F3M1) and 1:3 (F1M3). Results showed that plant δ15N was positively correlated with fertilizer δ15N and plant root/flower was more sensitive to changes of fertilizer δ15N and soil δ15N than leaf/stem. Distribution of δ15N in different plant parts (especially in flower and leaf) was significantly changed when organic fertilizers were partially or totally substituted by chemical fertilizers, suggesting a comparison of flower δ15N and leaf δ15N might be applicable for the organic identification of marketed cauliflowers. Our results provide fundamental data for the soil- and fertilizer-specific crop δ15N database and indicate that the intra-plant δ15N characteristic could be helpful for organic cauliflower identification.

Effectiveness of living mulch strategies for winter organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) production in Central and Southern Italy

AbstractIn crop rotations, cover crops planted either before or concurrent with a main crop and maintained as a living ground cover (living mulch, LM) may provide many beneficial ecosystem services, and can be defined as ‘agro-ecological service crops’ (ASC). The objective of this research was to study the suitability of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L. var. anglona) as an LM for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) production in a Mediterranean environment. Two LM sowing times (early sowing – sowing concurrent with cauliflower transplanting versus late sowing – 3 weeks later) compared with a no living mulch control (LM-CT) were investigated in central Italy (Experiment 1), along with a comparison between two local cauliflower cultivars and a hybrid. In Southern Italy (Experiment 2), crop performance under two LM sowing times [20 days before cauliflower transplanting versus concurrent sowing (CS)] compared with a no LM-CT , with organic fertilizers and amendments allowed in organic farming as subplots, was assessed. In Experiment 1, no competition was observed between the late-sown ASC and the cash crop. An increase in crop nitrogen (N) uptake and weed mitigation was also determined in this treatment. There was a mixed response when comparing cultivar and LM interactions, with the hybrid cultivar in the late-sown LM producing the greatest yield. In Experiment 2, weather conditions had the greatest effect on crop response. However, an inverse trend between growth of the cash crop and the LM crop was observed in the CS treatment. A positive effect of LM introduction was found, particularly in altering the competitive relationship for N between the cash crop and weeds. In addition, yield results showed that, in LM systems, commercial organic fertilizers could be replaced with locally available organic fertilizers and amendments without any yield penalty. The effectiveness of LM strategies will thus depend on several factors: type of LM, cultivar of vegetable, weather, soils, length of growing season and ability to plant the cash crop into the LM. Initial research suggests the potential for burr medic as a LM for Mediterranean winter vegetable systems, but additional research is needed to ensure the viability of LM systems for longer periods of time.

Overwintering grass-clover as intercrop and moderately reduced nitrogen fertilization maintain yield and reduce the risk of nitrate leaching in an organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) agroecosystem

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) has high nitrogen (N) demand during growing, but due to its low N use efficiency and N-rich residues, it may cause N losses by leaching after harvest. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of overwintering grass-clover as an intercrop and moderately reduced N fertilization on organic cauliflower yield and risk of nitrate leaching. The experiment tested sole-cropped (S) and intercropped (I) systems using a substitution design and two N fertilizer rates (180 and 230kgNha−1). To investigate the competition between cauliflower and grass-clover, cauliflower grown alone with empty grass-clover rows (Semp) and grass-clover grown alone with empty cauliflower rows (GCemp) were included. The results showed that marketable yield was maintained in the I system compared to in the S system when calculated per meter crop row, and when N fertilization was moderately reduced. The Relative Competition Index (RCI) values in the I system were lower than 0, indicating that cauliflower growth was not interfered in the I system. The ability for aboveground N accumulation in the S and I systems was similar, but the N content of cauliflower residues in the S system was 33 and 23kgha−1 higher than in the I system in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The S system had 168kgNinorgha−1 in the soil layer of 0–1.5m at the start of leaching in 2013, which was 40kgNha−1 higher than the I system. Reduced N fertilizer level led to 22kgha−1 lower soil Ninorg at the end of leaching. However, the effect of system and N level on soil residual Ninorg per unit marketable yield was not significantly different. Intercropping cauliflower with overwintering grass-clover and moderately reduced N fertilization was feasible in organic cauliflower production, with regard to maintaining marketable yield and reducing the risk of nitrate leaching in the agroecosystem.

Response of organically grown cauliflower(Brassica oleraceaL. var.botrytis)to different sources and rates of organic manures in Indo-Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was carried out during during winter (rabi) 2009–10 at Kanpur, India under organic environment with aimed to find out the response of different organic manures (farmyard manure, vermicompost and neem cake) on curd yield and economics of organically grown cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis). Curd yield of cauliflower was significantly influenced by the application of different sources and rates of organic inputs. Results revealed that sole application of vermicompost emerged as better organic nutrient source over sole farmyard manure (FYM) and neem cake. Higher doses of these orgaincs exerted more encouraging results over their lower doses. The maximum curd yield (9.20 t ha−1) was realized with the sole application of vermicompost (7.5 t ha)−1, closely followed by FYM 30 t ha−1 (9.01 t ha−1). Further, combined application of organics established their superiority over sole application of either of these organics. Among the treatments which received organics in combination revealed that maximum curd yield (12.62 t ha−1) and calorific values (3155 × 103 kcal) were produced in the plots receiving FYM 10 t ha−1 + vermicompost 2.5 t ha−1 + neem cake 0.1 t ha−1 in combination. All treatments receiving organic inputs gave higher gross and net returns compared to the control, when a price premium (10–30%) was assigned to organic cauliflower. Combined use of FYM 10 t ha−1 + vermicompost 2.5 t ha−1 + neem cake 0.1 t ha−1 recorded highest gross (₹ 126.20 × 103 ha−1) and net return (₹ 70.87 × 103 ha−1) at normal prices, which was significantly superior over other treatments. Application of FYM 10 t ha−1 + neem cake 0.1 t ha−1 recorded maximum benefit: cost ratio (2.70) at normal prices.

Living mulch strategy for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) production in central and southern Italy

In sustainable agricultural systems, intercropping using living mulches (LM) provides many beneficial ecosystem services. The objective of these two-year field experiments was to study the suitability of different LM options of burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L. var. anglona) for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) cultivation in two sites under Mediterranean conditions. In central Italy (Experiment 1) contemporary and delayed (to crop) sowings of LM were compared with a no-cover crop treatment, contrasting two local cauliflower cultivars and a F1 Hybrid. In southern Italy (Experiment 2) the sustainability of systems combining LM (anticipated and contemporary sowing compared with no-cover) and organic fertilisation strategies was assessed. The aboveground biomasses dry weights of cauliflower crop (heads and residues), burr medic and weeds were separately determined. Results suggested that in Experiment 1 the LM was not able to smother weeds establishment and growth, as a consequence of early sowing, while cauliflower yield was reduced. Moreover, the genotypes behaviour was greatly influenced by the LM sowing times. In Experiment 2, irrespective of the agronomic practices applied, climatic conditions notably influenced cauliflower cultivation and also reduced the mean yield. Therefore, the recorded differences between the two experimental sites highlighted the need to tailor the LM strategies to the different environmental conditions.