Morphological, phenological, curd and yield characterization of different broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) cultivars under temperate agroclimatic conditions

Abstract: Evaluating different germplasm resources is the basis of selecting excellent broccoli cultivars in a specific climatic condition for the fresh market and the processing industry. Agronomic traits of thirteen broccoli cultivars were studied to determine the suitable cultivars for temperate regions. Cultivars, viz. Bonanza, Sun King, Volta, De Cicco, Coronado Crown, Packman, Belstar, Kabuki, Marathon, Green Magic, Parthenon, Blue Wind and Green Sprouting were included in the study. Significant differences (P?0.05) were found in morphological, phenological, curd-related, and yield-related variables among 13 broccoli cultivars. Morphological parameters such as plant height, plant spread, and stem diameter were maximum in cultivar Marathon, whereas phenological traits such as minimum days to curd formation and total days to harvest were counted in broccoli cultivars De Cicco, Packman, and Blue Wind. Maximum curd diameter was recorded in cultivars Bonanza, De Cicco, Coronado Crown, Packman, Kabuki, Marathon, and Parthenon, whereas the highest per hectare curd yield was obtained from cultivars De Cicco, Packman, Marathon, and Parthenon. The present finding also demonstrated a significant association between different broccoli cultivars with plant height, curd weight, and yield traits. Similarly, a significant positive correlation was observed among stem diameter, curd diameter, curd weight, and curd yield parameters, and between leaf number per plant, days to curd initiation, days to curd formation, and total days to harvest parameters.