Comparative performance of hydroponically grown broccoli and cauliflower cultivars in different growth seasons

A study was conducted to evaluate the marketable yield, fresh head weight, days to maturity and quality of four broccoli cultivars (Brassica oleracea L. italica ‘Diamond’, ‘Majestic’, Parthanon’ and ‘Star 2204’) and four cauliflower cultivars (Brassica oleracea L. botrytis ‘Crenique’, ‘Sierra’ ‘Madre’, ‘Telergy’ and ‘Star 4418’) over four seasons (autumn, winter, spring and summer) in an NFT hydroponic system. Growth season had a pronounced effect on the growth, yield and quality of the broccoli and cauliflower cultivars tested. Fresh weight of broccoli was higher during spring while curd fresh weight for cauliflower was higher during the summer. Broccoli head rejections were mainly due to deformed heads and open florets during summer and spring, while cauliflower curd rejections were mainly due to riceyness during winter and curd discoloration during spring, and was associated with cultivar choice and season. The highest harvested yields with shortest days to maturity were obtained in autumn and spring for broccoli ‘Star 2204’ (87.0 to 100%) with 78 to 87 days to maturity and a head weight of 292.7 to 514.9 g. The highest harvested yields with shortest days to maturity were obtained in summer for cauliflower ‘Crenique’ (95.0%) with 66 days to maturity and a curd weight of 1067.7 g.