With the aim of introducing broccoli in to Croatia, yield and quality components of 10 cultivars were investigated during a three year period (1994-96) with intention to select the suitable for fresh consumption and processing industries. Investigations were carried out in north-west Croatia during the summer-autumn period, without irrigation. The experiments in a randomized complet-block design with four replications were conducted in each year of the investigation. Seedlings with a lump of substratum were planted in the 4-5 leaf stage at a spacing of 0.6 m x 0.45 m.
Meteorological conditions and inflorescence development dictated the harvesting dynamics. The weight and diameter of marketable top inflorescence were measured together with evaluation of compactness and bead-size also length and diameter of inflorescence stalk. The weight, diameter and bead-size together with length of inflorescence stalk were the only measurements taken with the side inflorescence.
According to total yield in the three investigation years it was not possible to point out any cultivar. The highest yield and average weight of top inflorescences was achieved with cultivars Fiesta, Bolivia, Platini and Viking (6.3, 6.2, 6.2 and 6.0 t×ha -1 , resp. 169, 168, 168 and 162 g). Evaluation of the compactness of these inflorescences suggest an exceptional strength. Cultivars Citation and Cruiser excel as regards the production and yield of side inflorescences (2.2 and 2.4 t×ha -1 ). For the broccoli production in north-west Croatia during the summer-autumn period recommended cultivars for fresh consumption are Bolivia, Fiesta, Platini and Viking and for processing industries Citation and Cruser.

broccoli; cultivar; yield; quality

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia