Climate
- Cool season crops and require cool and moist growing season.
- It is usually grown in cool climate or cooler part of the year in warm climate
- Optimum temperature for proper head formation = 12 oC to 18 o C.
- After vernalization and differentiation of flower bud, the optimum temperature for head growth or flower bud formation is regarded as medium temperature of 15-18 oC
- High temperature may accelerate maturity and induce early flowering and decrease in taste.
- Since broccoli is comparatively less cold hardiness, it becomes susceptible to frost especially after the formation of head.
- Most of the cultivars are usually biennial, while the annual cultivars are sensitive to frost (Mitra, 1990).
- But broccoli is more tolerant to light frost than cauliflower.
Soil
- Sandy loam to clay loam soil with high OM, high fertility and should have good drainage facility
- Better water retention capacity gives better yield
- pH 5.5-6.5
Raising of Seedlings in the Nursery
- As per Cauliflower and Cabbage
- SEED RATE=400-500 gm per hectare
Field Preparation
- 3-4 ploughing followed by repeated harrowing and leveling is done.
- Weeds, stubble, stones, crop residues are removed.
- Field is prepared as fine tilth.
- The basal dose of manure (FYM/Compost) and fertilizer are applied at the time of final land preparation.