THE SCHEDULING OF FRESH MARKET BROCCOLI IN SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND FOR EXPORTING TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN MARKETS FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER

Commercial plantings of broccoli for exporting fresh to southeast Asian markets were sown in 1983 and 1984 to evaluate scheduling models developed from earlier field trials and long term meteorological records.
The contract was to supply 400 polystyrene cartons (2400 kg) of broccoli per week from May to September.

The schedule commenced in late summer (February) by direct seeding a total of 22 plantings in both years until mid winter (July) to ensure a continuity of harvest.
Cultivars from three different maturity groups were used: group ‘B’ (80 days) between seasons, autumn sown; group ‘C’ (101 days) winter growing and group ‘D’ (91 days) winter sown for an early spring harvest.
The model using predicted days from planting to harvest was more accurate than using predicted days (both simple and modified). Marketable yield from the two harvests (four to six days apart) for each planting averaged 6,900 kg/hectare.
Recommendations for adjusting the planting schedule when rain interrupts planned sowing time are reported.

Symposium on the Timing of Field Production of Vegetables

M.E. Titley

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1987.198.29