
%0 Journal Article
%A Chung, B 
%T Effect of plant density on the sequential harvest yield of broccoli
%J Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
%D 1985/12/01
%V 25
%N 4
%P 959-962
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9850959
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/EA9850959 
%X Field studies were conducted to determine the spear yield of three hybrid broccoli cultivars at each sequential harvest when the plants were grown at three plant populations - 2.8 (the common commercial density), 8.3 and 16.7 plants/m2. At 2.8 plants/m2, the terminal spears contribute about 60-70% of the total yield, with lateral spears contributing significantly. Almost 70% of the lateral spear yield was available at one pick 2-3 weeks after the first pick. A plant density of 8.3 plants/m2 gave a total yield of 23 t/ha, compared with 12 and 16 t/ha for 2.8 and 16- 7 plants/m2 respectively. This was due to higher yields of both terminal and lateral spears. The increase in yield at 16.7 compared with 2.8 plantdm2 was due mainly to a higher yield of terminal spears. Changing from the traditional low plant density to one of about 8 plants/m2 should increase yield significantly without causing cultural or marketing problems. 
