Cauliflower and broccoli: growth pattern and potential yield

In horticulture, predictions of plant development, potential and time of harvest is important. Non-destructive parameters are needed which can be easily measured in the field.Growth of different cultivars of cauliflower and broccoli was analyzed by diameter of curd and stem and weight of curd. There was a strong correlation between the diameter of stem and plant biomass and diameter of stem and curd. Growth of stem and curd diameter is dependent on days after transplantation in the field, but dependence is even stronger if related to the sum of maximal daily temperature. Growth of curd shows higher cultivar variation and was more sensitive to environmental factors than growth of stem. In consequence there is a higher variation between curds of one crop, which differes between cultivars. Dependent on the correlations and the variation harvest period for cultivars can be predicted.