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2012 Broccoli Variety Trial

Results of the 2012 broccoli variety trial at Rock Springs, PA.
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Updated:
March 20, 2023
Head of Broccoli

Head of Broccoli

Trial Location

Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA

Design

Randomized Complete Block with 3 replications.

Plot size

12 plants spaced 2' in-row and 3' between rows.

Transplanting date

June 8, 2012.

Fertility

100 lbs./A of N-P-K. Additional nitrogen was applied through the drip irrigation - 3 applications of 5 gals/ application of Total Feed 4 (4-0-1). Foliar application of BioForge @ 1.0 pt/A and More Power @ 1.0 pt/A was made on June 14, 2012. Also, a foliar application of Stimulate @ 1.0 pt/A and Ca5X @ 1.0 pt/A was made on June 29, 2012. Root Feed II @ 1.0 pt/A was injected through the drip tape on June 20 and 27, 2012.

Harvest dates

August 16 through September 30, 2012.

Variety Source Maturity-days
Arcadia Sakata 72
Green Magic Seedway 60
Monaco Syngenta 98
Bay Meadow Syngenta 63
Monte Carlo Syngenta 74
Sarasota Syngenta 105
Preakness Syngenta 93
Destiny Sakata 67
Imperial Sakata 71
Gypsy Sakata 59
Del Rico Syngenta 60
Diplomat Sakata 70
Emerald Pride Sakata 68

Remarks

'Arcadia' had leafs growing through the head and generally was not domed shape. It did produce side shoots. 'Imperial' produced large, dome sized heads that were 6-8" in diameter. 'Preakness' had flat heads with leaves growing through the heads - it does not tolerate heat when forming heads. Both 'Monaco' and 'Preakness' produced the heaviest heads of broccoli, and 'Destiny' and 'Green Magic' also produced the highest number of side shoots. Based on size and shape of head, the two top varieties in this trial were 'Emerald Pride' and 'Imperial'. 'Emerald Pride' will produce side shoots, 'Imperial' does not produce side shoots.

Table 1. Marketable yield of 13 broccoli varieties grown during the summer of 2012 at the Horticulture Research Farm, Rock Springs, PA.
Variety No. heads Head wt. Lbs/A Lbs. Avg head wt.-oz No. side shoots
Arcadia 7.7 4.4 5,249 9.2 3
Green Magic 11.3 8.2 9,782 11.6 21.7
Monaco 9.7 10.2 12,167 16.9 1.7
Bay Meadow 9.3 7.6 9,064 13 7.7
Monte Carlo 11 7.7 9,184 11.2 1.3
Sarasota 6 5.4 6,440 14.5 1.7
Preakness 8.3 7.9 9,423 15.2 0
Destiny 10.3 7.2 8,588 11.2 20
Imperial 8.3 6.5 7,753 12.6 0
Gypsy 11.3 7.5 8,947 10.7 4.3
Del Rico 10.7 7.9 9,423 11.8 5.7
Diplomat 10.3 5.8 6,918 9 4.3
Emerald Pride 10.3 6.3 7,514 9.8 9.3

Notes

  • 'Destiny' - Leaves growing through flat head, non-uniform, ugly.
  • 'Del Rico' - Leaves growing through head, flat head.
  • 'Bay Meadow' - Leaves growing through head.
  • 'Green Magic' - Few leaves growing through head.
  • 'Preakness' - Head flat, leaves through head and yellow beads.
  • 'Monte Carlo' - Leaves growing through flat head with large stem and difficult to harvest.
  • 'Emerald Pride' - Nice domed heads.
  • 'Diplomat' - Flatten shaped head.
  • 'Del Rico' - Uneven head shape.
  • 'Gypsy' - Head a little flat.
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