A team of British scientists has developed a new line of fast-sprouting broccoli which has the potential to double crop production.
Researchers at the Norwich-based John Innes Centre (JIC) say the new variety goes from seed to harvest in between eight and 10 weeks. They say it has the potential to deliver two full crops a season in the field or year-round production when grown in protected conditions.
This, claim the scientists, could help ensure continuity of supply and make growers less reliant on seasonal weather conditions.
The new line has been developed by drawing on research into vernalisation – the need for some plants to experience a period of cold weather before they can flower.
Judith Irwin said: “We harnessed our knowledge of how plants regulate the flowering process to remove the requirement for a period of cold temperature and bring this new broccoli line to harvest faster. This means growers could turn around two field-based crops in one season, or if the broccoli is grown in protected conditions, four-five crops in a year.” She said the recent spell of adverse weather in Murcia, Spain, which led to shortages of courgettes, iceberg lettuce and broccoli, showed just how susceptible many vegetable crops were to fluctuating winter temperatures.
JIC head of business development, Jonathan Clarke, said: “The continuity of food production is being challenged by changes in our climate. Here at the John Innes Centre we have been challenging the way people think about how we produce food.
“As part of this approach we are considering the potential of moving some forms of food production into contained horticultural production systems – these could range from simple glasshouse or growth rooms to more complex vertical farms.
“This new line of broccoli could be grown in such systems and would overcome the problem of seasonality and our dependence on imported crops.”
Before the new line becomes commercially available, JCI scientists will carry out flavour and nutritional analysis as well as performance testing under true protected and field commercial growing conditions.
