A drip irrigation system offers its advantages also for broccoli cultivation.

Some characteristics of this crop as well as advice on how to irrigate it will be discussed in this article.

Broccoli: its brief history

It seems that the first varieties of broccoli (brassica oleracea italica) originated in Anatolia and Levant and then they were imported into Italy from there. This vegetable was immediately highly appreciated in the Peninsula, to the extent that the name under which it is known abroad – broccoli – derives directly from the plural form of the Italian word.

According to ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics) research, Italy produced 421,878 tons of cauliflower and broccoli in 2010 (the plant is the same), resulting to be the sixth largest producers and exporters of broccoli in the world.

 Nutritional values ​​and varieties

Broccoli is a vegetable recognizable by its shape and its unmistakable flavor. As for its nutrition profile, 100 gr of raw broccoli contain:

• Water 89.3 gr
• Carbohydrates 6.64 gr
• Protein 2.82 gr
• Fiber 2.6 gr
• Potassium 316 mg
• Calcium 47 mg
• Sodium 33 mg
• Magnesium 21 mg

There are innumerable varieties of broccoli, among the most common we may cite:Calabrian green broccoli, the most famous and widespread one, the broccoli par excellence

• Broccoli from Verona, with a typical white inflorescence
• Romanesco broccoli, with a particular fractal inflorescence.

Crop characteristics

Temperature

Broccoli is a winter culture. The ideal temperature for plant growth is between 20 ° and 24 °, but the plant also resists low temperatures (up to -5 ° C).

Soil

Broccoli is NOT particularly demanding in terms of soil richness, but it definitely does not tolerate water stagnation; it prefers slightly acid soil with a pH between 6 and 6.8.  Broccoli requires a soft and well-drained soil, which is kept constantly humid. It is also a demanding plant in terms of required nutrients, in particular nitrogen and potassium. For this reason, it is necessary to resort to fertilizers and compost.

Humidity

The optimum values ​​for humidity should fit the range of 60% – 75%. There is a risk that the plant will be affected by fungal attacks that cause mold formation, Especially during the inflorescence period. For this reason, it is advisable to have well-drained soil in order to prevent the formation of stagnant water.

How to organize system layout

The cultivation layout of broccoli can be made in different ways.
For the cultivation of broccoli with small inflorescences, it is preferable to plant the lines in raised beds of about 96 or 107 cm per side, while the space between the plants in the same line must be of about 13 or 15 cm and the distance between the lines is of 30 or 35 cm.  Another layout may be the following: 3 or 4 lines per bed, the distance between the plants in the line of 20 or 30 cm and the distance between the lines of 43 cm.

How to irrigate broccoli: some useful tips

The broccoli plant needs to be irrigated constantly, especially during warm months, so that the soil is never completely dry. It is advisable not to water the plant seldom and a lot, but rather to water it often and with a moderate amount of water.  Specifically, for this reason, a drip irrigation system is highly preferable, as it reduces significantly the risk of stagnant water formation by administering water where it is needed, keeping soil moisture levels at controlled levels and avoiding the risk of fungal attacks.

For more information on drip irrigation systems and advice on how to irrigate certain crops, visit our TOOL