Broccoli is a temperate crop and hence cool season is preferred for its cultivation. Optimum temperature for its vegetative growth is 20°–25°C; while for its reproductive growth, particularly for head formation optimum temperature required is 15°–20°C. If temperature is high during broccoli head formation, heads tend to be loose and less compact. Since it is a cool season crop, broccoli is not susceptible to frost injury. Deep, well-drained loamy soils are best suited for broccoli production. However broccoli crop may be adapted to a wide range of soils. Soil should be fertile with good moisture retention capacity. Ideal pH is 5.0–6.5.

Watering should be scheduled depending upon the prevalent climatic conditions. Frequent watering is recommended to keep the soil moist always as moist soils are preferred by broccoli. In dry soils, broccoli shoots tend to become fibrous. Water logging at the root zones must be avoided. Generally furrow irrigation is practiced in broccoli plants.

There are three types of broccoli varieties: early; mid type and late varieties. Broccoli is propagated through seeds. Vegetative propagation by cuttings and tissue culture are also practiced for broccoli cultivation. Seeds are sown in well-prepared nursery beds by broadcasting or sowing in rows. Nursery bed is covered after sowing process and adequate shade is given. A light watering is done soon after sowing and thereafter watering is done as and when necessary. Recommended seed rate is 200 to 250 grams per acre. Ideal sowing time is Mid-September to early-November in plains and September–October in lower hills.

Field is ploughed thoroughly and then to soil is mixed with bulk quantities of farm (barn) yard manure and organic compost. Thereafter small beds of 3m × 3m are prepared for transplanting the seedlings. 4–6 weeks old seedlings are transplanted in well-prepared main fields. Recommended spacing is 45cm × 45cm; i.e. plant to plant and row to row distance is same. Both wider and closer spacing than the recommended spacing must be avoided; at a wider spacing, plants produce more laterals which tend to reduce the marketability of broccoli heads while closer spacing delays maturity. Since broccoli plants tend to grow rapidly in rich soils resulting in stem hollowness, spacing should be reduced to 45cm × 30cm in rich soil. Broccoli plant matures in 90–100 days after transplanting under temperate climate, while it matures in 80-90 days under tropical climate. Fertilizer doses differ from place-to-place depending upon the fertility status of the soil. However a major point to be noted is that both under fertilization and over fertilization must be avoided. Over fertilization may result in stem hollowness and under fertilization results in poor yield.

An ideal fertilization schedule is as given below:

  • At the time of field preparation: 15–20 tones of farmyard manure (FYM) or organic compost
  • At the time of field preparation: 30–40kg N/ha and 100kg/ha each of P and K

During plant growth:

  1. 30-40 kg N/ha applied as top dressing in two equal parts
  2. first application 4–5 weeks after transplanting
  3. second before head formation
  4. Molybdenum and Boron in minute quantities applied by soil application or foliar sprays

Manual hand weeding or chemical weed control using herbicides may be practiced. Since broccoli is a shallow-rooted crop, hoeing should be done carefully not beyond the depth of 5–6cm and not very close to the plant roots. Hoeing is done frequently to loosen up the earth for better aeration and water retention. Ideal harvesting stage is when the broccoli heads turn to bright green in color and becomes tightly compact. Broccoli heads are generally harvested with a sharp knife with a single cutting. Harvesting can be done in phases and completed within a month. A mature broccoli head weighs about 300–500g. Yield of broccoli under optimum management conditions is 100–150 quintals/ha.

Postharvest Management: Freshly harvested broccoli heads are immediately transported to the pack houses from the fields. At the pack houses, precooling is done to remove field heat from the fresh produce which later cleaned, sorted, graded and packed using automated machines for commercial scale operations. Post harvest procedures for small pack houses are usually performed by manpower. Packed broccoli heads are then either transported to the local retail markets or stored under optimum cold storage conditions for later distribution.

Optimum Storage Conditions: Since broccoli has a high rate of respiration, it may result in rapid product deterioration. Therefore broccoli heads must be cooled to reduce its respiration rate. They are normally packed with ice in crates and stored in cold storages. Storage life is for 7–10 days at 4°C. Precooling Temperature is 4.4°C and Optimum Cold Storage Temperature is 4°C.

Freezing Broccoli: Broccoli heads may be chopped and frozen in order to extend the shelf life of the produce.

Physiological Disorders: Major physiological disorders that are observed in broccoli plants are whip tail and browning of heads. A detailed description is as given below:

Whip Tail: It is due to the deficiency of molybdenum. The lamina of the newly-formed leaves becomes leathery, irregular and consisting of only mid-rib. Soil application of 1–1.5kg of molybdenum before planting the seedlings and/or foliar application of 0.0–1% solution of ammonium molybdate will effectively control whiptail.

Browning of Broccoli Heads: This disorder is due to the deficiency of Boron, a trace mineral nutrient. First water-soaked areas appear on bud clusters which turn pinkish or rusty-brown in advanced stages, resulting in rotting. Soil application of borax or sodium borate @20kg/ha of Heads and/or foliar spraying of 0.25–0.5% solution of borax will effectively control browning disorder of broccoli heads.

We have a book on ‘Growing Broccoli‘….

Check out our publishing services here…

We publish top quality videos on various ‘Food & Agriculture’ topics. You may subscribe our video channel here…