Yield Of Broccoli Research Articles

Effect of Urea Super Granule and Prilled Urea on Yield and Yield Attributes of Broccoli (<i>Brassica oleracea</i> var. <i>italica</i> L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during 2010-2011 to determine the effects and economic performance of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU) in terms of growth and yield of broccoli and to find out the optimum and economic doses of USG and PU for broccoli in Shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil under Madhupur Tract. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications having 17 treatment combinations constituted with different levels of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU). Result showed that yield of broccoli increased significantly with increasing rate of USG and PU. The treatments containing 160 kg N from USG and 180 kg N from PU exhibited the best performance on yield and yield contributing characters of broccoli having the head yield of 12.9 and 10.6 ton ha-1, respectively. All the yield contributing characters and the economic profitability were favorably correlated with these high yield performing treatments. The performance of USG in terms of growth, yield and yield attributes, head quality (compactness coefficient) and economic profitability was found significantly higher as compared to that of PU. Therefore, USG @ 160 kg N ha-1 and PU @ 180 kg N ha-1 alongwith other recommended fertilizerscould be suggested for broccoli production in terms of yield and economics. From quadratic equation USG @ 163 and 160 kg N ha-1 and PU @ 169 and 160 kg N ha-1 alongwith other recommended fertilizerscould be suggested as optimum and economic doses for broccoli production in Silty Clay Loam Soil of Madhupur Tract.The Agriculturists 2016; 14(2) 95-112

Influence of foliar fertilization of boron on broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) in boron deficient soil of Doon Valley, India

Boron deficiency is widespread in Indian soils. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of foliar application of B on growth, yield and quality of broccoli through field experiment during winter season for two consecutive years in boron deficient soil of Doon Valley. Foliar application of all treatments of B had no significant effect on growth characters viz. plant height, number of leaves per plant and average plant spread. However, the days taken to curd initiation and curd maturity were minimum with the application of disodium octaborate @ 0.1% followed by borax @ 0.2%. Curd formation and curd weight per plant were maximum with di-sodium octaborate @ 0.1%. Other quality parameters like curd diameter and curd depth were also maximum with disodium octaborate @ 0.1%. All the B treatments significantly affected curd yield. The maximum curd yield was obtained with the application of disodium octaborate @ 0.1% which was 95.64% higher than the control. Thus, foliar application of B as disodium octaborate @ 0.1% was found most effective in the present investigation for maximization of yield and quality of broccoli.

Combined effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron on yield and quality of broccoli [Brassica oleraceae (L.) var. italica

An experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm and in the laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron on yield and quality of broccoli [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. italica]. A total of 15 treatment combinations, including three levels of fertilizers i. e. NPK (100% recommended dose of NPK, 75% recommended dose of NPK and 50% recommended dose of NPK) and four levels of boron (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 kg B/ha) were laid out in a split plot design with four replications. Experiment revealed that plant yield and quality characters were significantly influenced by NPK, boron and their interaction. It was observed that out of the three fertilizer effects i. e. F1, F2 and F3, the highest head diameter, head weight, total yield (19.29 t/ha), protein, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, leaf and soil NPK and boron were obtained in F1 (100% Recommended dose of NPK). Regarding the boron effect, B4 (2.0 kg B/ha) exhibited the highest head diameter, head weight, total yield (20.73 t/ha), protein, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, leaf and soil NPK. Among the interaction effects of NPK and boron, the yield and quality characters like the highest head diameter, head weight, total yield (25.37 t/ha), protein, chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, leaf and soil NPK and boron were recorded in fertilizer F1 with boron (B4) combination. Thus, it can be suggested that the application of 200 kg N, 80 kg P2O5, 60 kg K2O and 2 kg B/ha was found to be suitable for profitable cultivation of broccoli with optimum quality under the agro-climatic conditions of Assam.

EFFECT OF TRANS PLANTING DATE AND CULTIVAR ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF BROCCOLI

This investigation was conducted at the experimental station of theFaculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, during the two successivewinter seasons of 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 to study the effect of threeplanting dates, three F1 cultivars and their interactions on growth, yield andquality of broccoli plants. The planting dates were as follows, 1st September,1st October and 1st November with three F1 cultivars, viz. Marathon,Heraklion and Centauro, respectively. Results showed that plant growth,yield and quality of heads were greatly affected by the three cultivars inplanting dates. In this respect, second planting date 1st October gave thehighest values of most vegetative growth traits expressed as number ofleaves, leaf area and total fresh weight plant. As well as the highest values ofmain head and total heads yield/plot and /fed. Plants gave the highest valuesof most of vegetative growth characteristics, yield and quality of broccolifollowed by Marathon plus 1st November planting date recorded the lowestvalues of growth, yield and its components. With respect to the interaction,Centauro plus 1st October planting date was superior in total head yield andphysical characteristics of heads expressed as average head length, diameterand weight. Therefore, it could be recommended for to obtain the highestvalues of head yield and quality of broccoli we are advised to plant Centauroand Marathon, respectively in planting date 1st October.

Application of Cysteine, Methionine and Amino Acid Containing Fertilizers to Replace Urea: The Effects on Yield and Quality of Broccoli

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine the influence of replacing 80% of urea in broccoli fertilization with L-cysteine and L-methionine foliar spray at two concentrations 100 and 200 mgL-1 and amino acid containing fertilizer (AA) at 750 and 1500 mgL-1 on yield, nitrate accumulation, dry weight of head, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and total acidity. Replacing 80% of urea with AA increased the total acidity significantly (P = 0.05). Elimination of 80% urea but foliar spray of cysteine (100 and 200 mgL-1), methionine (200) the percentage of dry weight significantly (P = 0.05). Urea (250 kg ha-1) plus amino acids and amino acid Alone in Comparison with control (just 50 kg ha-1 urea) increased significantly (P = 0.05) Yield. The content of vitamin C, decrease significantly (P = 0.05) by the urea (250 kg ha-1) application with amino acids. Application of amino acid containing fertilizer (750 and 1500 mgL-1) along with urea (250 kg ha-1) increased nitrate accumulation.

Effect of Nitrogen and Boron Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Broccoli

Effect of Nitrogen and Boron Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Broccoli

Performance of Broccoli Cultivars in Spring and Fall Evaluations in Pennsylvania

Recent hypothetical modeling suggests that increasing commercial broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) acreage in the eastern United States has the potential to notably reduce the costs of transportation within the broccoli supply chain. In this region, increasing broccoli acreage will require production improvements. Here, research was conducted to determine the best yielding commercially available cultivars for broccoli production. Eighteen to 19 cultivars of broccoli were evaluated in spring and fall evaluations using diverse production systems during 2014–15 in three locations across Pennsylvania. Data collected included production, yield, and quality attributes. Most interactions between site, year, and cultivar were significant suggesting that environmental conditions influence broccoli yield, quality, and concentration of harvest. Overall, the cultivars evaluated were not different from, Imperial, the standard used, for marketable yield, head diameter, and concentration of harvest within a site year. Blue Wind was consistently the first cultivar harvested, and Avenger and Emerald Jewel the last overall site years and growing seasons. These three cultivars may be good options for extending the growing season.

Effect of different micronutrients on plant growth, yield and flower bud quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) cv. Green Bud

Effect of different micronutrients on plant growth, yield and flower bud quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) cv. Green Bud

Effects of Cattle Urine and FYM on Yield of Soil properties and Broccoli

A field experiment was conducted at Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal at farmer's field in 2011 winter season to evaluate the nitrogen efficiency of cattle urine and FYM on soil properties, nitrogen uptake and yield of broccoli cv. Calabrese. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments: N0, N100kg/ha by urine with soil application, N150kg/ha by urine by soil application, N100kg/ha by FYM, N150kg/ha by FYM, N50kg/ha by urine by foliar application, N100kg/ha by urine by foliar application and N150kg/ha by foliar application with three replications. The results of the field experiment revealed that the highest pH (6.1) was given by N150kg/ha Urine by soil application. The treatment N50kg/ha by urine by foliar application gave the highest potassium 242 kg/ha which was significantly higher than the lowest 187 kg/ha from N0. N150kg/ha by foliar application gave the highest soil organic matter 5.43%, the nitrogen 0.31% significantly higher to the lowest 0.07% from N and phosphorus 147kg/ha 0 significantly higher than the lowest. N150 kg/ha through urine by foliar application also gave the biological yield 36.7 t/ha which was significantly higher than the lowest 25.5t/ha from N0 and significantly higher curd yield 19.05 t/ha to the lowest 11.2 t/ha.

Performance of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) under drip irrigation and mulch

Field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyala, Gayespur, West Bengal during winter seasons of 2011-12 and 2012-13 to assess the comparative effectiveness of drip and conventional surface irrigation with and without mulch on growth and yield of broccoli. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design replicated thrice. Main plot treatments consist of four levels of irrigation such as surface irrigation with IW/CPE 1.0 and three drip irrigation at 1.0, 0.8 and 0.6 ETc (crop-evapotranspiration), and three mulch levels like no mulch, black polythene mulch and paddy straw mulch @ 5t/ha in sub-plots. The results showed that drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc showed significantly higher (P = 0.05) plant height (45.69 cm), no of leaves plant-1 (17.66), leaf size index (743.99 cm2), plant spread (89.94 cm), curd diameter (14.43 cm) and marketable curd yield (17.82 t ha-1) of broccoli, which was at par with drip at 1.0 ETc. Minimum growth and yield was obtained with drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc in both the years. Similarly, significantly the highest (P = 0.05) plant variables and curd yield was obtained with use of black polythene mulch over paddy straw and no mulch treatments. However, drip irrigation at 0.6 ETc registered maximum water use efficiency of 117.31kg ha-mm-1 and water saving of 38.43%. The interaction effect showed that drip irrigation at 0.8 ETc along with black polythene mulch produced significantly higher marketable curd yield. The experimental findings can be recommended for growing high value crop broccoli with water saving drip irrigation at ETc 0.8 along with plastic mulch technology in the water scarce regions of West Bengal.

No Tillage and Strip Tillage Effects on Plant Performance, Weed Suppression, and Profitability in Transitional Organic Broccoli Production

Organic no-till and strip-till systems have gained attention because of their reported capacity to enhance soil health and suppress annual weeds. This study, conducted at the Horticulture Research Station, Ames, IA, over 2 years (2013–14 and 2014–15) compared a cover crop–based no tillage (NT), strip tillage (ST), and conventional tillage (CT) in transitional organic broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) production, with data collected on broccoli yield and quality, plant health, weed suppression, soil temperature, and cost of production. A cover crop mixture of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.) was seeded in all plots in September, and was ended by rolling and crimping (NT and ST) or soil incorporation (CT) in late spring the following year. Each whole-plot tillage treatment was split into two subplot fertility treatments—one based entirely on organic preplant granular fertilizer, and the other split between preplant granular fertilizer and postplanting fertigation—to test the effect of fertigation on yield and plant growth under the typically nitrogen (N)-limited reduced tillage conditions. In 2014, yield of broccoli was highest in CT treatments, averaging 5.4 t·ha−1, with no difference between ST and NT treatments. In 2015, yields were equal among tillage treatments, averaging 20.0 t·ha−1. Changing the timing of fertilizer application through the use of fertigation did not affect yield. Weed density and biomass were lowest in the between-row (BR) regions of NT and ST plots in 2014, indicating effective early-season weed suppression. In 2015, NT and ST plots generally had lower weed biomass and density compared with CT plots, but weed growth in BR and in-row (IR) regions of NT and ST plots was similar. Soil temperature was highest in CT plots throughout the year, and higher in ST than in NT plots only during some periods. While production costs did vary slightly across treatments, profit per hectare was most strongly affected by yield. Our findings suggest that cover crop–based organic NT and ST systems may be viable options for organic broccoli growers.

Efficacy of Biopesticides for Management of the Swede Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Management of the swede midge, Contarinia nasturtii Kieffer, in North American crucifer production relies on crop rotation and the timely application of synthetic insecticides, based on pheromone trap monitoring of local adult populations. Organically acceptable formulations of azadirachtin, pyrethrin, and spinosad, and a commercial biopesticide containing the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, were evaluated for their effects on larval mortality and oviposition deterrence in the greenhouse, and on damage symptoms in the field. In greenhouse trials, pyrethrin and spinosad treatments applied up to 24 h prior to C. nasturtii exposure resulted in significant reductions in oviposition on host plants, whereas azadirachtin and B. bassiana only deterred oviposition when applied 2 h prior to exposure. Spinosad caused the highest larval reduction (∼96%) on cauliflower meristems, while azadirachtin, B. bassiana, and pyrethrin caused significant larval reduction when applied preoviposition and significant mortality when applied postoviposition. Field trials conducted with these insecticides on broccoli in 2011 produced no significant reductions in overall damage levels; however, B. bassiana treatments produced more marketable plants than did the control. In 2013, all treatments significantly reduced overall damage levels and all treatments, except B. bassiana, produced more uninfested and marketable plants than the control. Field applications of these alternative insecticides may be effective in protecting yields of broccoli and cauliflower, when combined with other tactics in an integrated pest management program.

Trap crop diversity enhances crop yield

Diverse plantings provide many benefits for agroecosystem health. For example, ⿿trap crops⿿ that are highly attractive to pests can protect nearby, less attractive host plants. However, it is unclear whether increasing biodiversity of trap crops themselves might increase the effectiveness of this pest-management technique. We examined whether multi-species trap-crop plantings were more effective than any single species at protecting broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) crops from the crucifer flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae. Our trap crop plantings included between one and three plant species (Brassica juncea, Brassica napus, and/or Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis), selected for their attractiveness to the beetles, while keeping total trap crop area constant. We found that only a diverse mix of all three trap-crops significantly improved yields of adjacent broccoli; indeed, the 3-species polyculture provided protection that exceeded that of a monoculture of the most effective single trap crop species. Furthermore, the protective effect of diverse trap crop plantings extended across the broccoli beds. Treating trap crops with an insecticide provided no further benefits for pest control or broccoli yields. Despite clear benefits of trap-crop diversity on yields, the number of flea beetles did not differ in broccoli adjacent to diverse versus simple trap crops, or in the trap-crops themselves. This suggests that plant protection resulted from a change in pest behavior rather than abundance. Our study revealed that increasing biodiversity of trap-crop plantings might be an effective means to enhance the success of the approach in many systems.

Evapotranspiration-based Irrigation Scheduling of Head Lettuce and Broccoli

Estimation of crop evapotranspiration supports efficient irrigation water management, which in turn supports water conservation, mitigation of groundwater depletion/degradation, energy savings, and crop quality maintenance. Past research in California has revealed strong relationships between fraction of the ground covered by photosynthetically active vegetation (Fc), crop coefficients (Kc), and evapotranspiration (ET) of cool-season vegetables and other specialty crops. Replicated irrigation trials for iceberg lettuce and broccoli were performed during 2012 and 2013 at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Salinas, CA. The main objective was to compare crop yield and quality from ET-based irrigation scheduling with industry standard practice. Sprinkler irrigation was used to germinate and establish the crops, followed by surface drip irrigation during the treatment period. Each experiment compared three irrigation treatment schedules replicated five times in a randomized block design. Two decision-support models were evaluated as follows: 1) an FAO-56-based algorithm embedded in NASA’s prototype Satellite Information Management System (SIMS) based on observed Fc, and 2) CropManage (CM), an online database-driven irrigation scheduling tool based on modeled Fc. Both methods used daily reference ETo data from the California Irrigation Management Irrigation System (CIMIS) to translate Kc to crop ET, with a target of 100% replacement of water use during the drip irrigation phase. A third treatment followed an irrigation schedule representing grower standard practice (SP) at 150% to 175% ET replacement during the drip irrigation phase. No significant treatment differences were seen in lettuce head weight or total biomass. Marketable yields of lettuce (near 45.4 Mg·ha−1) and broccoli (near 17.4 Mg·ha−1) were in-line with industry averages during both years and all treatments. During 2012, CM yield was below lettuce SP, and above broccoli SP, while in 2013 no treatment differences were detected for either crop. No significant differences were detected between SIMS and SP yields during any trial.

Standardization of optimum time planting on broccoli production

The effect of sowing date on the growth and yield of broccoli was studied at Horticulture College and Research Institute, Anantharajupet, YSR Kadapa (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, India, during Rabi season of 2013. Four sowing dates were used in this study viz ., 20 th November-2013, 10 th December-2013, 31 st December-2013 and 20 th January-2014 under open field conditions. Significant variations were observed in different growth, yield and quality parameters among the planting dates.The results indicated that significantly higher growth parameters viz ., plant height, number of leaves per plant, stalk stem diameter, leaf length, width, petiole length and higher yield components like curd weight, curd length, curd width, yield per hectare, B:C ratio and higher curd quality components viz ., ascorbic acid content and shelf-life at room temperature and at 4°C were recorded in December 10 t h planting (D 2 ). Minimum days to curd initiation were observed in December 10 th planting, whereas least number of days to harvest was observed in January 20 th planting (D 4 ).

Effect of sowing dates and spacing on broccoli(<italic>Brassica oleracea</italic> var. italica) seed production

A field experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons of 2010 to 2013 to find out the optimum time of sowing and plant spacing for broccoli (var. KTS-1) seed production. Seedlings raised by sowing on four different dates viz. 10th October, 30th October, 20th November and 10th December were transplanted at two spacing viz. 45 cm x 45 cm and 60 cm x 45 cm. Yield and yield attributing characters were significantly influenced by the treatments. Sowing on 10th October produced the highest head yield (137.81q/ha) while 10 December sowing produced the lowest head yield (6.75 q/ha) of broccoli. Closer spacing (45 cm x 45 cm) gave significantly higher head yield (88.28 q/ha) than planting at 60 cm x 45 cm distance. The highest seed yield (177 kg/ha) was obtained on planting 10 October sown seedlings at 45 cm x 45 cm distance and was the most remunerative (B: C ratio of 6.44) among all the treatment combinations. Plants from delayed sowing of 20th November and 10th December failed to produce viable seeds under agro-climatic condition of Assam.

Effect of Mulching and Organic Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica)

This study was carried out during 2014-2015 growing season at the vegetative researchfarm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Duhok University on broccoli plants, to study theeffect of mulching compared with no mulching and three levels of organic fertilizers(organic manure) (0, 5, 10 ton/donum) on broccoli (Zen Hybrid F1). The results showedthat mulching significantly increased plant height, leaf area, leaves number/plant,branches number/plant, head dry weight, head height, yield, fiber%, total sugar content,carbohydrate% and chlorophyll%. Organic fertilizer caused positive significantdifferences in all vegetative characteristics and most yield characteristics. The interactionbetween mulching and organic fertilizer significantly enhanced all studied traits.

Pengaruh Kombinasi Pupuk Kandang Sapi dan Abu Sabut Kelapa sebagai Pupuk Utama dalam Budidaya Tanaman Brokoli (Brassica oleracia L.)

This research aims to study the effectiveness of coconut fibre ash as an additive nutrient for growth and yield of Broccoli ( Brassica oleracia L.), and to determine the best combination between manure and coconut fibre ash in organic farming of Broccoli. This research conducted using single factor experiment that arranged in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD). The treatments are (1) Manure 0,75 kg + Coconut fire ash 24,3 g (2) Manure 0,75 kg + Coconut fibre ash12,15 g, (3) Manure 0,75 kg + without Coconut fibre ash, (4) Manure 1 kg + Coconut fibre ash 24,3 g, (5) Manure 1 kg + Coconut fibre ash 12,15 g, (6) Manure 1 kg + without coconut fibre ash, (7) Manure 1,25 kg + Coconut fibre ash 24,3 g, (8) Manure 1,25 kg + Coconut fibre ash 12,15 g, (9) Manure 1,25 kg + without coconut fibre ash. The result showed that the combination between manure and coconut fibre ash have not significantly different in number of leaves, flowering time, fresh weight, flower size, fresh weight of flower. However, the combination between manure 1,25 kg and coconut fibre ash 24,3 g is considered to be the most efficient in organic farming of Broccoli.

Growth, yield and quality response of organic broccoli to intercrops and crop geometry

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping and crop geometry in organic production of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) during winter season of the year 2013–2014. The experiment was laid out in split plot design replicated thrice with three different organic manures and two spacings as main plot treatments and five intercrops. Among the 30 treatment combinations, application of vermicompost coupled with single row spacing and sole crop of broccoli (M2S1C1) reordered the maximum values in terms of number of leaves (28.6), weight of main head (203.3 g), head girth (15.2 cm), number of sprouts per plant (9.9), yield of sprouts per plant (407.6 g), yield of sprouts/plant (main head + sprouts) per plant (610.9 g), total yield per ha (301.7 q), vitamin A (14.43 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (96.80 mg/100 g) significantly, while plant height (63.9 cm) was recorded maximum in the treatment M2S2C1, whereas yield of intercrop per ha (134.9 q) was recorded maximum in the M2S2C5 treatment. Amongst the intercropping treatments, broccoli + fenugreek along with vermicompost application following the spacing of 45 x 45 cm (M2S1C4) recorded the highest growth and yield attributing characters except number of sprouts per plant, which was found significantly better in the treatment (M2S1C3).

Selected yield and qualitative parameters of broccoli in dependence on nitrogen,sulfur, and zinc fertilization

The effect of nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and zinc (Zn) fertilization on the yield quantity and selected qualitative parameters of broccoli was studied in an experiment carried out in Nitra (Slovak Republic) during 2011 and 2012. In this experiment, the following fertilization treatments were tested: control; N200S80 (fertilized to the supply level: 200 kg N ha-1 and 80 kg S ha-1); N200S100 (supply level: 200 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg S ha-1), and N200S100 Zn (supply level: 200 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg S ha-1 + foliar zinc application). Compared to the control treatment, higher broccoli yield was shown at all fertilized treatments. The most significant increase in yield quantity was found at N200S100Zn, i.e. About 59% higher than the control. Application of N200S100Zn was the most suitable fertilization from the standpoint of broccoli quality. The foliar Zn spraying led to a statistically highly significant increase of sulforaphane in broccoli (about 41.1%) compared to the control. The applied N and S fertilization tended to decrease the vitamin C content in broccoli (about 9.2%) against the control. On the other hand, Zn application resulted in a return of the vitamin C content, nearly to its level in control. The results confirmed the well-known fact that nitrogen fertilization leads to nitrate accumulation in vegetables. However, the results of this research indicate that nitrogen fertilization combined with zinc application should be expressed mainly by lower nitrate accumulation in the edible parts of broccoli. The experimental data are interesting, and in terms of growing vegetables for consumption with enhanced quality, promising. This is notable because the formation of many serious diseases is increasing.