Effects of Plant Population, Nitrogen, and Harvest Date on Yield and Maturity of Single-Harvested Broccoli1

Abstract

Abstract The effects of various equidistant plant spacings, rate of N and harvest date on the yield and maturity of single-harvested broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) were investigated during 3 successive cropping seasons. Plant population had only a slight effect on marketable yield. Spear wt decreased and crop maturity was delayed as plant population increased. Yields were increased and maturity was slightly delayed by N top-dressing. The optimum period for single-harvest extended over 3 to 4 days and began when about 11% of the spears were over-mature.