Broccoli

Juan Nastor Sr., Rafael Cachin and Vivian V. Reyes

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italic was introduced in the industry and to Filipino taste
buds in the 20th century. Broccoli belongs to the family that includes cabbage, pechay, and
cauliflower. Broccoli is of the Brassica oleracea species. It is often called a brassica or cruciferous
vegetable from the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family.

Broccoli is one of the most expensive vegetables in the Philippines. It is boiled, steamed
or stir fried. It is fairly high in Vitamin A, and a good source of Vitamin C, calcium, iron,
thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.

The word broccoli means 'little sprouts' in Italian. It is part of the cabbage family of
vegetables which also includes cauliflower, cabbages, Brussel sprouts, turnips and many of the
Asian greens.

The broccolis flowerettes are green compared to the cauliflowers white flowerets.
Broccoli is the highest-valued vegetable in the Cordillera. This is mainly because broccoli has
been reported to help in fighting cancer. Approximately 283 hectares of the Cordillera is being
used for growing this vegetable.

Broccoli production grew by 16.0 percent from 1.2 thousand metric tons in January-June
2004 to 1.4 thousand metric tons in January-June 2005. Benguet province the major producer of
broccoli shifted from asparagus to broccoli. During the first semester of 2005, Benguet was the
top producer of broccoli with an output of 1.2 thousand metric tons which accounted for 87.4
percent of the national production. Bukidnon followed with a share of 9.1 percent or 125 metric
tons.

Varieties
1. Hybrid Gypsy Sakata - It matures at 60 - 65 days. It is high domem, the head is bluish
green in color, the bead size is fine and the compactnes is excellent. It is tolerant to
downy mildew and black rot. It has large and heavy curds with large stem and few
branches.
2. Hybrid Green Magic Sakata - It matures at 65 days. It is semi-domed, the head is bluish
green in color, the bead size is fine and the compactness is excellent. It is tolerant to
downy mildew and block rot. It is a new variety bred for long distance markets.
3. Hybrid Gree Pride Tokita - It matures at 63-73 days. It is domed, the head is dark green
in color, the bead size is fine and the compactness is excellent. It is tolerant to rot. It is a
heavy yielder with excellent green color retention adaptable to rainy and cold season.
4. Hybrid Marathon Sakata - It matures at 60 days. It is high domed, the head is bluish
green in color, the bead size is fine and the compactness is excellent. It is resistant to
downy mildew. It is the best choice for uniformity during cold weather production. It
has a large head and is the standard variety for long distance shipping.
5. Hybrid Top Green Condor - It matures at 45 - 50 days. It is flat domed, the head is
bluish green in color, the bead size is medium and the compactness is excellent. It is
 tolerant to downy mildew and block rot. It is a tropical variety that grows well under
hot tropical lowland condition.
6. Hybrid Green Pia Nong Woo Bio -- It matures at 80 - 95 days. It is domed, the head is
blue green in color, the bead size is large and the compactness is very solid. It is tolerant
to downy mildew and block rot. It has an excellent quality head such as compact yield.
7. Hybrid Sonata Nong Woo Bio - It matures at 75 - 80 days. It is medium domde, the
head is dark blue green in color, the bead size is large and the compactness is solid. It is
suitable for warm season cropping. It is a wide adapted variety and has a good holding
ability.
8. Blue Genuis Hybrid - It matures at 45 days. The head is dark green in color and the
compactness is excellent. Its average weight is 0.8 kg. It is highly disease resistant and is
covered with white tender powder.
9. Green Country Hybrid - It matures at 85 - 90 days. It is high domed, the head is deep
green in color, and the bead size is small fine. It has improved uniformity and size in
cold production. It is very good in crown cut packing and processing.
10. Green King - It matures at 85 days. The head is blue green in color, the bead size is
large and the compactness is excellent. It is tolerant to downy mildew. It is a heavy
yielder, heat tolerant and can be planted in lowland areas of the Philippines.
11. King Dome Hybrid - It matures at 85 - 90 days. It is high domed, the head is deep green
in color, the bead size is small fine and the compactness is solid. It has an excellent post
harvest quality after cutting. It has a very popular crown cut market and is widely
adapted for cooler condition.
12. Legacy Hybrid - It matures at 75 - 100 days. It is high domed, the head is deep green in
color and smooth with fine beads, and the compactness is solid.
13. Tender Green - It matures at 55 - 60 days. The head is dark green and the compactness
is solid. The average weight is 0.6 kg and it is good for consumer market and freezing.

Climatic Requirement

Broccoli will tolerate frosts of 20F (6.5C) and likes daytime temperatures around 50-
70F F (10-20C) and certainly no higher than 80F (26C), or it will bolt to seed. The minimum
and maximum growing temperature is 00C and 290C, however, the optimum growing
temperature range is between 15 and 220C. Optimum germination temperature is 290C. High
temperatures (greater than 270C) delay maturity and increase vegetative growth and cool
temperatures (1.5 -100C) hasten maturity and may induce bolting.

Soil Requirement
Broccoli requires soils that can provide continuous water throughout the season. Well
drained, sandy loam soils are suited to early varieties, whereas loamy and clay loam soils are
suited to late ones because they are somewhat tolerant of poor drainage. Well drained soils can
be rotated closely since club root is easier to control.

Culture and Management

A. Seedling Production. About 280 g of seeds per hectare is required. Prepare 1-m wide
seedbed at any desired length. Pulverize the soil and incorporate 1 kg fully decomposed
chicken manure or compost and 300 g carbonized rice hull/M2. Wet the seedbeds and
 make shallow lines across the beds, 7-10 cm apart. Sow the seeds thinly and cover lightly
with soil. Mulch with rice hull, chopped rice straw, or cogon, and water regularly. Provide
partial shade during the dry season and rain shelter or clear plastic roofing during the wet
season.
In case of diamondback moth and cutworm infestation, spray with hot pepper
solution (100 g macerated hot pepper/16 L water) plus 1 tbsp soap, or apply pesticides at
recommended rates. Harden the seedlings at one week before transplanting by exposing
fully to sunlight and watering only when the plants show signs of temporary wilting.
Transplant the seedlings at three weeks after emergence.

B. Land Preparation. Prepare the land thoroughly by plowing and harrowing several times.
In low and mid elevation areas, make deep furrows 0.5 m wide. In high elevations,
prepare beds 0.75-1.0 m wide. Apply 1kg fully decomposed chicken manure and 300 g
carbonized rice hull/m2. Incorporate thoroughly with the soil. For single row planting,
make holes 0.3 m between hills, and for double row planting, 0.3 m between hills and 0.4
m between rows. Wet the holes, apply 10 g 14-14-14 in each hole, and then cover lightly
with soil.

C. Transplanting. Water the seedbeds and gently uproot the seedlings. Transplant in rows
0.5-0.75 cm apart and 0.3-0.5 m between plants. Apply basal fertilizer at 10 g 14-14-14/hill.
Irrigate before and after transplanting. Mulch with rice straw, rice hull or plastic to
prevent weed growth and conserve soil moisture. It is best also to intercrop with bunching
onion, bulb onion, garlic, kutsai, tomato, marigold, and other crops to minimize insect
pests. Areas with low irrigation capacity should plant broccoli in seedbeds with the width
of sixty to one hundred twenty cm. As for areas with ample irrigation facilities, broccoli
may be planted in a sunken bed to ensure that the crop is receiving enough moisture.

D. Fertilization. Side-dress with urea (46-0-0) at the rate of 5-10 g/plant 2-3 weeks after
transplanting with 10 g/hill of 2:1 mixture of 46-0-0 and 0-0-60. Fertilize only after
weeding. Tea manure may be applied weekly as source of micronutrients. To prepare,
soak 3/4 sack cow/ horse manure in a plastic drum filled with 189.25 L water for seven
days. Fermented plant juice may also be used every two weeks to boost plant vigor. To
prepare, mix equal parts of chopped actively growing plant parts and molasses or brown
sugar. After one week of fermentation, extract the juice and apply as foliar fertilizer at 1
tbsp/ 3.785 L water.

Broccoli does well when manure is applied, however it is best not to use manure from
animals that have been fed turnips or rutabagas. Excessive use of manure may contribute
to tip burn, hollow stem, internal browning, head rot and other problems.

E. Liming. Lime should be applied to maintain the soil pH in the range of 6.5 to 7.0, unless
club root control is required (pH of 7.2). If soil pH is below 6.2, apply lime six weeks
before planting.

F. Mulching. Mulching with rice straw, rice hull, or mulching film is recommended to
suppress weed growth and conserve soil moisture.
G. Weeding. Perennial weeds should be controlled prior to planting. Herbicides recommended
for use on Cole crops will not provide complete control of weeds; therefore it is important to
grow Cole crops on soil where the weed seed population is low. The weed seed bank in the
soil can be reduced by crop rotation. Care must be taken to avoid fields where residual
herbicides from previous years persist in the soil as crop injury may occur.

H. Irrigation. During the dry season, irrigate before transplanting. Repeat every 7-10 days
(furrow irrigation) or 2-3 times/week (sprinkler irrigation). Mulching helps minimize
irrigation frequency. The availability of water is critical to successful broccoli production.
Irrigation may also be used to cool plants during periods of high temperature. Fertilizer
could be applied through an irrigation system. Irrigation at the wrong time can cause
problems such as head rot. Broccoli crops require a regular water supply of 25 mm every 5
to 7 days during the growing season. Shortage of water is detrimental for head
development.

I. Disease and Insect Management

1. Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor.) Clubroot is a soil borne disease which

affects broccoli. Early infections are difficult to detect as symptoms begin underground.
Symptoms include small to large swellings and other malformations of the roots.

As a result of these swellings, water and nutrient flow are restricted within the plant,
which causes the above ground parts to wilt, turn color and look stunted. Wilting is
most common on warm sunny days; plants may show little wilting early in the morning
or late at night. The clubroot fungus enters the plant through the many fine hairs on the
roots. The extent of the disease is affected by many factors. Moist, cool soils usually
produce more diseased plants than dry, warm soil.

The disease also thrives best in acid soils; that is when the pH is below 7. Once land
becomes infested with this disease, it will remain so for several years. When clubbed
plants rot and break down, the fungus spores are released into the soil, where they may
live for 10-20 years, ready to infect any Cole crop subsequently planted. Since the fungus
spores are in the soil, movement of the soil by any means (boots, tools, wheels or wind
and water, etc.) also spread the disease.

Management.There are seven things that can be done to reduce the occurrence of this
disease.
a. Isolate (if possible) or avoid the use of infested fields for brassica crops for about
seven years. The disease affects only the brassica crops so any other crop may be
planted as long as brassica type weeds are not present.
b. Do not apply clubroot infested manure on land to be use to grow brassicas
c. Rotate crops and fields as a preventative measure before club root occurs. Allow
at least three years between growing susceptible crops.
 d. Clean and disinfect all equipment used on infested land before using on a non-
contaminated field
e. Control susceptible weeds whenever possible.
f. Apply lime to raise the pH of the soil to at least 7.2.
g. Use clubroot free transplants.

2. Grey Leaf Spot (Alternaria brassicae) and Black Leaf Spot (and A. brassicola). Grey
leaf spot causes small and light brown or grey lesions. Black leaf spot causes larger and
darker lesions. These diseases are seed and soil borne. Small black spots (1 to 2 mm in
diameter) appear on leaves, later turning into a tan color with target-like concentric
rings. When the spots dry out, the tissue falls from leaves, resulting in a shot-hole
appearance. Cool temperatures, rain and high humidity favor the development of this
disease. Spots usually are most conspicuous on the outer, older leaves. The disease
causes small brown sunken lesions and decay of broccoli heads, under very wet
conditions. The spots enlarge in storage to sunken, black areas. Alternaria is a secondary
fungus; it usually invades the plant after it has been injured by other pests or
management practices.

Management

a. Use clean, certified seed or a hot water seed treatment if certified seed is not
available.
b. Practice long rotations between Cole crops
c. Avoid over head irrigation.
d. Make sure to incorporate plant debris.
e. 5.Good air circulation is needed in the field, as well as in storage. Keep storage
temperature at 00C and relative humidity at 92 % to 95%.

3. Downey Mildew (Peronospora parasitica). Once infected, the plant shows white, fuzzy
masses in patches on the underside of leaves, stems and heads. The tops of leaves turn
purple, then later turn yellow or brown. Internally, the broccoli heads may show brown
and black streaks on the main stalk and branches leading to the florets. Infection is
favored by wet, cool weather, especially during prolonged periods of leaf wetness, such
as during dew or fog.

Management

a. Good air and water drainage is critical in controlling this disease, along with
voiding water on the crop in the afternoon and evenings.
b. Crop rotation with non brassica plants and incorporating plant debris will also
aid in controlling this disease.

4. Damping-off (Rhizoctonia) and Wirestem (Pythium). Pre-emergence damping off

occurs when seeds are attacked and decay, as well as when plants germinate, but fail to
emerge. Post-emergence damping off occurs when the stem of 2 to 5 cm tall plants are
 attacked. A water soaked area completely encircles the stem near the soil line and the
seedling wilts and topples over.

Wire stem results from an extension of the damping off process, but new infections may
occur on plants 10-15 cm tall. The stem above and below the soil line darkens, and the
outer cortex tissue decays and sloughs off in sharply defined area encircling the stem.
The stem is thin and wiry at the lesion but remains erect. The plant may survive, but will
perform poorly.

Management

a. In seedbeds, only sterilized soil or soil that has not previously had brassicas for
several years should be used.
b. Seeds should be hot water treated and also treated with a suitable fungicide. 3.
Plant density should permit adequate light and air penetration.
c. Factors such as deep planting, reduced seed vigor and excessively cold, hot,
moist or saline soils that delay seed emergence should be avoided.
d. Deficiencies of calcium, potassium and nitrogen or excessive nitrogen may
promote disease.
e. A field rotation with non-brassica crops should be practiced for at least three
years.
f. Avoid mounding of soil onto lower leaves when cultivating.

5. Blackleg (Phoma lingam). This disease can be seed borne. Early signs of blackleg appear
as small spots on leaves of young plants. On stems the spots are more linear and often
surrounded by purplish borders. Stem lesions at the soil line usually extend to the root
system causing dark cankers. The fibrous root system may be destroyed although new
roots sent out above the lesion may keep the plant alive. Many plants wilt abruptly and
die.

Management

a. Use clean, certified seed, or seed which has been hot water treated.
b. Practice a 4 year crop rotation.
c. Destroy brassica weeds and thoroughly incorporate plant debris.
d. Good air and water drainage is critical in controlling this disease, along with
avoiding water on the crop in the afternoon and evenings.

6. Black Rot (Xanthomonas campestris). It I s caused by a bacterium and can live in the
soil for one year without another Cole crop present. Humid, rainy conditions favor the
disease, which is usually spread by splashing rain or irrigation water. Black rot lesions
first appear at margins of leaves. The tissue turns yellow and the lesion progresses
toward the center of the leaf, usually in a v-shaped area with the base of the v toward
the midrib. The veins become dark and discolouration frequently extends to the main
stem and proceeds upward and downward.
 Management

a. Use clean, certified seed, or seed which has been hot water treated.
b. Practice a 4 year crop rotation.
c. Destroy brassica weeds and thoroughly incorporate plant debris.
d. Good air and water drainage is critical in controlling this disease, along with
avoiding water on the crop in the afternoon and evenings.

7. Broccoli Head Rot (Pseudomonas marginalis). Symptoms appear after periods of rain
when heads remain wet for several days. The bacteria are splashed up from the soil to
the head. When heads are colonized by the bacteria some areas appear water soaked
(because a biosurfactant is released by the bacteria) in contrast to unaffected areas where
the waxy surface of the florets cause water to form in beads. Small black lesions may
develop in these water soaked florets. During long periods of wetness, decay spreads
rapidly, resulting in a sunken area on the head. Head rot develops most rapidly at high
temperatures (280C). Frost injury and infection by Downey mildew may also bring rise
to this disease.

Management

a. Avoid high levels of nitrogen and avoid applying pesticides during head
formation.
b. Use resistant cultivars whenever possible.
c. Wider plant spacings to increase air movement through the crop.

8. Cabbage Maggot (Delia redicum). The cabbage maggot or adults fly close to the
ground near brassica plants and lay elliptical white eggs on the stems of crops or in
nearby crevices in the soil. The adult is a two-winged, ash grey fly, with black stripes on
the mid section. It is half the size of a housefly, but has longer legs. Eggs hatch in three
to seven days. Larvae are white, legless maggots that enter the roots and feed by rasping
the plant tissue with a pair of hook like mouthparts and tunneling into the roots.
Feeding damage by the cabbage maggot causes roots to be misshapen and allows the
entry of decay organisms and other species of maggots, resulting in stunted or dead
young plants. Maggots mature in three to four weeks and pupate. The pupae are 6 mm
long, oval, hard shelled and dark brown. Adult flies emerge in two to three weeks. The
presence of adult flies can be determined by looking for eggs which are laid at the base
of plants. Generally, there are two to three generations a year.

Management

a. Natural enemies for the cabbage maggot include ground beetle, rove beetle,
spiders, harvestmen or daddy longlegs and ants.
b. Cultural controls include covering young plants with floating row cover to
prevent the flies from depositing eggs after plant emergence, and intercropping
clovers or other legumes to prevent the flies from finding open ground near a
brassica stem.
 c. When using chemical controls, scout plants frequently and treat when damage is
first observed.

9. Caterpillar Pests-Cabbage worm (Pieris rapae), cabbage looper (Trichopulsia ni),

diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and Purple-backed cabbageworm (Evergestis
pallidata). High levels of feeding damage will cause severe defoliation, resulting in
stunted plants. Broccoli can also become unmarketable if the heads are stained with
insect excrement. The adult of the Imported Cabbageworm is a white butterfly, easily
seen going from plant to plant laying eggs during the summer. The eggs hatch into
velvety-green larvae with one thin yellow stripe down the center of its back. The
cabbageworm larvae do not loop when they walk. They are generally the most prevalent
of the caterpillars found on Cole crops.

The cabbage looper gets its name from the way it forms a loop as it walks. It is a smooth
green larvae with two white stripes along the back and two along the sides. The cabbage
looper is capable of causing the most damage to Cole crops. Adult moths migrate into
the region during the summer. Cabbage looper tends to be more problematic during the
late summer.

The Diamondback Moth is much smaller than the previous insects. Three to six
generations of 1.1 cm yellow-green larvae may develop each year. The larvae squirm
actively when disturbed and produce many small holes on the host plant. This pest can
bore into the heads of broccoli. Adult moths migrate in throughout the growing season.
There is therefore often an overlap in generations, and all stages may be present at one
time.

The Purple-backed cabbageworm is not as commonly seen as the others but will cause
serious damage in high numbers. The larvae are purple on the back and pale yellow
along the sides. There are one to two generations per year.

Management

a. There are many natural enemies that will help control these pests in fields. Ground
beetles, spiders, damsel bugs, minute pirate bugs, assassin bugs, big eyed bugs, and
lacewing larvae will all attack the caterpillars.
b. There are also some commercially available parasitic wasps that sting and parasitize
eggs and larvae of caterpillars; these include Trichogramma spp., Copidosoma spp.,
Apanteles spp., Diadegma spp., and Hyposoter spp.
c. Cultural controls include pheromone emitters to disrupt mating.
d. Evening overhead sprinkler irrigation.
e. Placement of floating row covers over young crops to exclude egg-laying females.
f. If using chemical controls, scout plants frequently and treat when the threshold level
has been reached. For broccoli, the threshold guidelines are 20-30% before heading
and 5-10% after heading.
10. Cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon). Cutworms are grayish, fleshy caterpillars up to 5 cm long,
which curl up when disturbed. Plants may be chewed off above or below ground level
and may be damaged higher up by climbing cutworms. Most of the cutworm damage is
to newly set plants in the field, but they are often found attacking seedlings in plant bed
and greenhouses. Late infestation of variegated cutworm occasionally occurs.

Management

a. Prepare the soil two weeks before planting to cultivate in cover crops and destroy
weeds.
b. Check plants frequently and treat when damage is first observed.

11. Aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae). The cabbage aphid, is a major pest of Cole crops
worldwide. Aphids are small, soft bodied, slow moving insects. A colony consists of
winged and wingless adults and various sizes of nymphs. Aphids may be black, yellow
or pink, but mostly are various shades of green. They are often found in large colonies
on the undersurface of leaves; however, aphids will feed on heads, flower stalks as well
as leaves, resulting in unmarketable produce. Aphids feed by piercing plants and
sucking out plant sap, resulting in distorted plant parts and a slowing of plant growth.
The plants may be covered by a sticky substance, called honey dew, which is excreted by
the aphids.

Management

a. There are many natural enemies that will feed on aphids, thus helping to reduce the
populations of this pest in the field. Natural enemies that produce larvae which will
feed on aphids include syrphid flies, lacewings and the predaceous midge. Adults
and larvae of minute pirate bugs, big eyed bugs, lady beetles, soldier beetles and
parasitic wasps like Diaeretiella rapae will also consume aphids.
b. Cultural controls include using high pressure sprinkler irrigation to knock the
insects off of plants, as well as using living mulch such as clover interplanted with
the crop.
c. If using chemical controls, check plants frequently and treat when damage is first
observed.

12. Thrips (Thrips tabaci). Thrips are slender, yellow-brown insects about 1 mm long. They
feed by puncturing the leaves and sucking up the exuding sap. This causes the
appearance of dark warts or blisters on the leaves. They also feed on curds, damaging
them and making them unmarketable. Populations increase quickly when the air
temperature is over 21 0C.

Management

a. Destroy refuse and control weeds

b. If using chemical controls, check plants frequently and treat when damage is first
observed.
.

13. Flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) Flea beetles are small shiny black beetles, about 2 mm in
length. They are very active early in the growing season, especially during periods of
dry sunny weather. Flea beetles can seriously damage seedlings and transplants, and to
a lesser extent larger plants, by chewing small pinholes through the leaves. There is one
generation per year. The larvae live in the soil and feed on roots.

Management

a. Biological control options for flea beetle include using a braconid wasp that will
parasitize and kill adult flea beetles, and using nematodes that attack the larvae.
b. Trap crops such as Chinese type cabbages, radishes or collards can be used.
c. Living mulches or polycultures are other possibilities.
d. Covering young seedlings with floating row cover to prevent the insects from
attacking the plants is another option.
e. Using white or yellow sticky traps every 4.5 9 m.
f. Making sure to destroy plant debris.
g. If using chemical controls, scout plants frequently and treat when the threshold has
been reached. One flea beetle per plant (up to the sixth leaf stage) is the threshold
number. After the 6 leaf stage, feeding will not interfere with plant growth.

14. Tarnished Plant Bug. Adult tarnished plant bugs are light brown to reddish brown in
color and about 5-6 mm in length. They occur throughout the season and are very active
and quick moving. They feed on cauliflower curds causing brown blemishes or streaks
which reduce the marketability of the head.

Management

a. Keep plantings and adjacent areas weed free.

b. Avoid planting next to legumes.
c. Check plants frequently and treat when damage is first observed.

15. Slugs. Slugs exist in various sizes up to 10 cm. They eat holes in the leaves and leave a
trail of mucus, which makes plants unsightly. The control of slug populations has been a
continuing problem in the Cole crop industry.

Management

a. Slugs prefer areas which are cool, moist and high in organic matter. Sod crops,
weedy fence lines and hedgerows fulfill these conditions.
b. Cultural practices aimed at controlling slugs should begin at least one year
before the susceptible crop is put in. If possible, sod crops should not be followed
by Cole crops.
 c. A cultivated strip around the crop has been shown to reduce the number of slugs
migrating from weedy field borders. If urea (4 kg/ha) is sprayed on this
cultivated strip, slug movement may be further impeded. The salt irritates the
slugs as they move over it. Repeated applications are necessary as rainfall
washes it into the soil.

J. Physiological Disorders. Broccoli crops show various non-parasitic disorders which cause
tissues to die off. In some cases, these deviations have been shown to depend mainly on
heritable characters; whereas in other cases external factors had a least marked effect.

1. Blindness . Plants do not form heads, but produce many shoots at ground level. This
may be caused by insects or damage to the growing point early in the plants life.
2. Leafy Heads. Small leaves develop and protrude through the head during high
temperatures, drastic fluctuations in day and night temperatures or improper
nitrogen balance.
3. Broccoli buttoning. Buttoning is the premature formation of a head 2.5 to 10 cm in
diameter. Buttoning can occur anytime between seeding and almost mature plant, but
usually occurs shortly after transplanting into the field. Generally foliar growth slows
after buttoning resulting in too few nutrients to nourish the curd to marketable size.
Losses are usually most severe in the early planted crop during cold, wet seasons,
when vegetative growth is affected by: too much hardening of greenhouse plants, too
little hardening of greenhouse plants, low soil nitrogen, low soil moisture, continued
cold weather (4 to 10 0C for day or more) and others like disease, insects,
micronutrient deficiency, etc.
4. Lack of heads in Broccoli . During periods of extremely warm weather (days over 30
0C and nights of 25 0C) broccoli can remain vegetative (does not head) since they do
not receive enough cold for head formation. This can cause a problem in scheduling
the marketing of even volumes of crop.
5. Hollow stem in Broccoli. Symptoms are internal only. This condition starts with gaps
that develop in the tissues, and gradually they enlarge to create a hollow stem,
sometimes from the bottom of the stalk into the head. Ordinarily, there is no
discoloration of the surface of these openings at harvest, but both discoloration and
tissue breakdown may develop soon after harvest. Avoid excessive nitrogen after
head initiation. Dense plantings will maintain even growth rates and decrease the
occurrence of hollow stem.

K. Harvesting and Handling. Harvest broccoli heads when bud clusters are tightly closed
and the entire head is tight and firm. Heads that are loose or have individual flower
clusters with yellow petals should not be picked.

The terminal heads mature first. By removing the main terminal head the growth of the
lateral heads (auxiliary buds) lower on the main stem will be promoted and production
of smaller heads that can be harvested will commence. Since the lateral heads develop
unevenly, they cannot all be harvested at one time; lateral heads must be harvested twice
a week.
 Broccoli heads are usually harvested with about 15 cm of the stem attached. After they
have been cut off, part of the foliage is removed from the harvested shoots. The heads are
from 5 to 25 cm in diameter and weigh from 100 to 800 g each. Side shoots are from 5 to
10 cm in diameter and weigh from 100 to 500 g each. Broccoli intended for fresh
consumption is often sold in bunches weighing about 450 to 600 g.

Broccoli heads mature at different times, resulting in two or three cuts needed to harvest
a field. Broccoli is harvested by hand. Rapidly removing field heat from broccoli is very
important as the quality of harvested heads declines rapidly at warm temperatures. If
field heat is not removed immediately, broccoli will turn yellow and wilt after a few days
in storage.

L. Storage and Conditioning . Broccoli is highly perishable and should be cooled

immediately following harvest. In addition to icing, hydro cooling and forced-air cooling
can also be used, but good temperature management must be maintained following
cooling. If held at 00C and near 100% relative humidity, broccoli can be stored for 3 to 4
weeks. Exposure to ethylene (from apples, other ethylene producing fruit or engine
exhaust) will accelerate the yellowing of flower buds and reduce storage life and should
be avoided.

Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage atmospheres of 1-2% oxygen with 5-10% carbon
dioxide at temperatures of 0-50C will benefit broccoli and can double storage life,
specially when held above optimum temperatures.
Crushed ice or slurry ice is usually added to packed cartons to keep produce fresh during
shipping, especially when adequate refrigeration is not available.

References

AAFC. Crop Profile for Cabbage and Broccoli in Canada. April 2005.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/env/pest/index_e.php?s1=pub&page=cab-broc- chou

Atlantic Provinces Agricultural Services Coordinating Committee. Cole Crops Vegetable

Crops Production Guide for the Atlantic Provinces. Publication No. 1400. April, 1997.
ATTRA Publication. Cole Crops and Other Brassicas: Organic Production. 2006.
www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cole.pdf

ATTRA Publication. Organic Allium Production. 1999. www.attra.org/attra-

pub/allium.html

BBC Radio 4. Gardeners Question Time Factsheets. August 2001.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/gqt/fsheets/12_08_01/fsheetsq8.shtml

Broccoli & Cauliflower Production Guide Info Bulletin No. 148/1999

Reproduced By: Department of Agriculture Region IV-B MiMaRoPa
Clemson Extension. Broccoli. April 2004.
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1301.htm

Howard, Ronald, J. Allan Garland and W. Lloyd Seaman. Diseases and Pests of Vegetable
Crops in Canada.1994.

Innvista.com. Crop Rotation. www.innvista.com/health/foods/rotation.htm

Johnnys Selected Seeds. 2005 Seed Catalogue. 2005. Page 9.

Kansas State University. Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. November 1994.

www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/hort2/mf602.pdf
Manitoba Government. Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli Production.

Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-1668: Disorders of Cole Crops. January 1983.

North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service: Vegetable Crop Irrigation.
August 1997. www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-33-e.html

North Carolina State University. Broccoli Production. January 2001. www.ces. NDSU
Factsheet. Crop Rotations for Increased Productivity. January 1998.
www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/crops/eb48-1.htm

Ohio State University Factsheet. Growing broccoli and cauliflower in the home garden.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1605.html

OMAFRA Factsheet: Horticultural Crops-Vegetables. August 2005.

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/environment/hort/veg.htm

OMAFRA Fact sheet. Fertilizing Cole Crops: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower,
horseradish, kale, kohlrabi. September 2003.
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/pub363/fertilizing_colecrop. htm

OMAFRA Fact sheet: Fungal Diseases of Cruciferous Crops. April 1985.

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/85-043.htm

OMAFRA Fact sheet: Bacterial Diseases of Cruciferous Crops. January 1997.

www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/86-046.htm

OMAFRA. Vegetable Production Recommendations 2006-2007. Publication 363. OMAFRA

Factsheet. Production and Handling of Broccoli. July 1998.
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/88-126.htm

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Cole Crop Production (Broccoli, Cabbage, and
Cauliflower).
Oregon State University. Broccoli. August 2004.
http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/NWREC/broc-pr.html

Pennsylvania State University. Agricultural Alternatives: Broccoli Production.2000.

http://agalternates.aers.psu.edu/crops/broccoli/broccoli.pdf.

Sydney Postharvest Laboratory & Food Science Australia. Optimal Fresh: Broccoli. 2001.
www.postharvest.com.au/Broccoli.pdf
UC Davis Postharvest Technology Research and Information Centre. Broccoli:
Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality. December 2005.
http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/Produce/ProduceFacts/Veg/broccoli.sht ml

University of Georgia. Broccoli. http://www.uga.edu/vegetable/broccoli.html

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occoli.php

Cost and Return Analysis Per Hectare

ITEMS AMOUNT (P)
I. VARIABLE COSTS P 60,780
A. Labor (P150/MD)
Plowing 1,500
Harrowing 1,000
Bedding 1,500
Manure application 1,500
Seedling preparation (15 MD) 2,250
Mulching (10 MD) 1,500
Transplanting (10 MD) 1,500
Fertilization (3x) (6 MD) 900
Spraying 4,500
Weeding 300
Irrigation 3,000
Harvesting (10 MD) 1,500
Miscellaneous (20 MD) 3,000
Sub-total 23,950
B. Materials
Seeds 1,000.
Animal manure (10 t) 10,000
Fertilizers
14-14-14 (5 bags) 1,750
46-0-0 ( 6 bags) 2,280
0-0-60 (3 bags) 1,800
Chemical sprays 10,000
Fuel & Oil 5,000
Miscellaneous 5,000
Sub-total 36,830
II. FIXED COSTS 18,063
 Land rental 5,000
Depreciation
5 pcs. Scythe (2 yrs) 63
5 pcs. Hoe ( 3 yrs) 125
3 pcs. Shovel (3 yrs) 75
2 knapsack sprayers (5 yrs) 800
Interest on Loans at 20% int. p.a. 12,000
TOTAL COSTS 78,843
GROSS INCOME:
Broccoli 300,000-600,000
NET INCOME
Broccoli 221,157-521,157
a. With marketable yield of 15-20 t/ha at P20-30/kg

Pictures
Varieties

GREEN COMET

EARLY
PURPLE
SPROUTING
BROCCOLI

LATE WHITE SPROUTING BROCCOLI

http://www.pinoybisnes.com/agri-business/broccoli-and-
cauliflower-production-guide/#ixzz27LvODUJB

Ap
hid
s eggs of the large
butterfly
Caterpillar ofthe small white butterfly
Diseases
 CLUBBING OF THE BROCCOLI ROOTS
http://www.pinoybisnes.com/agri-business/broccoli-and-cauliflower-production-
guide/#ixzz27LvODUJB

Initial infections are caused by fungal spores which infect the young
phoma leaf lesions.

Culture and Management Practices

Seedlings ready for transplanting

Transplated seedling Seedling starting to flower

http://www.pinoybisnes.com/agri-
business/broccoli-and-cauliflower-
production-guide/#ixzz27LvODUJB

FFS of
Broccoli

Mulching