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Broccoli farming in India: Varieties, Nutritional Value, and Health Benefits

Published on: 05-Feb-2025
Updated on: 05-Feb-2025

Every child could relate to this blog which is based on broccoli as they get clarification about it. If you remember, in your childhood, you must have thought that broccoli and cauliflower were twin brothers.

Whenever we call broccoli and cauliflower brothers then it can be more of a playful metaphor but on the basis of scientific fact, they are very non-similar on the basis of nutritional value, characteristics, and taste.

But we can also say that they are very close to each other as broccolis also belongs to the Brassicaceae family, Let us understand deeply about broccoli vegetable:

What is broccoli?

Broccolis is also specified by its scientific name Brassica oleracea which belongs to the same family as cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. This is also known as the powerhouse of nutrition and is considered the staple veggie in a lot of kitchens.

Broccoli is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, it also connects with the ancient history as it was cultivated by the ancient civilization, particularly in the region of Etruscans in Italy.

During the Roman Empire around the 6th century bc, it was grown by the selective breeding practices that were developed by the wild cabbage. Broccoli gets its name from the Italian word “broccoli” which means flowering crest of cabbage.

Also Read: What to do to increase the production capacity of Ladyfinger

Common varieties of broccoli in India

Compared to early times, now people love broccoli more in India, as they found it a superfood and love the texture of broccoli, it gained popularity in some particular regions with suitable climates for its cultivation. Here are several varieties of broccoli:

1. Palam Samridhi

  • It is the most famous variety of broccoli that develops in India. It is mostly recognized for its adaptability to different climates and high-yield cultivation. Its average head height ranges between 300 to 400 grams, depending on other conditions.
  • This variety of broccoli can reach a maximum height of 56.9cm approximately. This has the highest yield capacity among other varieties that lies between 150 to 200 quintals per hectare.
  • Well-drained, and fertile soil is the ideal type for this variety with a pH of 6.0 to .0.  They mostly thrive in cool climates, specifically in a rabi season ( October to Feb) with a temperature of 16 to 20 degrees.

2. Green Giant

  • This is a popular hybrid variety of broccoli among the various farmers in India for its high yield potential and adaptability to various growing conditions. The average height of the plants lies between 48.21 cm.
  • The average yield production of the green giant ranges from 56.23 quintals per hectare (q/ha), which is competitive among broccoli varieties. For healthy and better growth the average spacing of crops is 60 cm between rows and 45 cm between plants.
  • It requires proper well-drained and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter which provides necessary nutrients to the crop, soil pH ranges between 6.0 to 7.0. It is also grown in the rabi or winter season with temperature limits of  16°C to 20°C.

How is Broccoli cultivated?

Rabi or winters is the Broccoli growing season in India that lies between October to February. In India there are several guidelines that must be followed by the farmers for the healthy growth of broccoli plants here are these steps:

1. Ideal Climate condition

Broccoli is the chill season crop that is cultivated in months of winter that have an average temperature of 60°F to 70°F,  and in the months of November to January.

2. Sowing time

In India, the sowing period of seeds is differentiated by the different regions according to their climate condition. In north India seeds are mostly sown in the mid-month of August and September before the cold.

In southern states like Kerala, broccoli can be grown year-round with careful management to avoid excessive heat.

3. Proper planting method

There are various planting methods to own the seeds such as direct sowing in which the plants are directly sown to the soil ¼ to ½ inch deep and spaced approximately 12-20 inches apart.

The next one is transplanting seedlings in which the field will be prepared by making the raised beds and leaving space between rows about 30 cm apart in rows that are 60 cm apart.

4. Care and maintenance

This process engages various management such as irrigation, fertilizer application, and weed removal process, for providing sufficient amounts of water to the plant and then providing about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week through rainfall or irrigation.

Incorporate well-rotted compost or organic fertilizers into the soil before planting in a regular manner is sufficient for the healthy growth of plants. Soil drenching with copper-based fungicides helps to remove weeds and diseases from healthy crops.

5. Harvesting

Broccoli is generally ready for harvesting after 60 to 100 days of planting when the head becomes dark green with the tight texture of the vegetable.

There are many methods of harvesting, One of the common methods is using a knife to cut the main head of broccoli. Make the cut about 5 to 6 inches (12.7 to 15 cm) below the head on the stalk.

6. Region of cultivation

Broccoli is mostly cultivated in northern India such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, along with it this also grown in the southern part of India which is Tamil Nadu. Maharashtra is the largest producer of broccoli in India.

Also Read: Detailed information related to cucumber cultivation

Nutritional value and health benefits of eating broccoli

As we discussed earlier broccoli is the nutritional power hub and is also known as super food then according to some scientific research broccoli contains these nutrients that enhance the the health of body:

  • Calories
  • Protein
  • Fat
  • Carbohydrates
  • Fiber
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Folate
  • Potassium
  • Calcium

There are several health benefits also of adding broccoli to our daily diet, here are some of them:

  1. Bone health: Due to its vitamin K and calcium content broccoli helps to enhance bone health and also reduces the risk of arthritis.
  2. Maintain health: Broccoli is highly rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants that help to reduce bad cholesterol and maintain the blood vessels which leads to a healthy heart. 
  3. Weight management: If you want to achieve an ideal weight then you should add broccoli which contain fibre and are low in calories which help to increase the metabolism of the body.
  4. Support immune system: High levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants bolster the immune system and increase the energy level that helps the body fight off infections and illnesses.