»How to Grow Broccoli – Agriculture Farming Business Ideas with Low Investment and High Profit«
Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable and it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Broccoli adds a lot of immunity. It is very effective vegetable for diabetes, cancer prevention and heart disease.
Broccoli cultivation is a profitable business and initial cost is comparatively low. Broccoli is a cool season plant therefore it never tolerates high temperature. Broccoli grows well in soil with added compost, humus or manure. Broccoli prefers well drained soils with a texture in between sandy and clay loam. In addition soil PH should be between 5.8 and 6.5. It requires deep sandy loam or clay loam soil which is rich in organic matter and good drainage.
Transplanting and irrigation
Transplant seedlings at 4-5 true leaves and about 25-30 days after seeding. Space them 40-45 cm apart in double rows of 60-70 cm apart on a high bed of 90-100 cm wide.
Carry out proper watering for several hours before transplanting. It makes it easier to remove the plant from the seeding bed thus the roots of the seedlings may hold as much soil as possible so as to prevent wilting during transplant. Apply irrigation immediately after transplanting.
Fertilizer application
The recommended NPK application is 120-100 pounds per acre broadcast or 35-50 per acre at planting. Liming will also be necessary to maintain soil PH in 5.8- 6.6 rate for optional growth.
Applying 3 pounds of boron per acre will eliminate broccoli stems that are brown and hollow. Broccoli is a a shallow rooted crop therefore apply irrigation frequently to prevent plants from injuries in dry soil. Enhance proper drainage system in the rainy season.
Weeding and harvesting
It is necessary to remove side roots as soon as possible to improve the yield and quality of main head. Proper weed control is necessary.
However you can apply herbicides, mechanical control and good crop rotation system. Harvest before the leaves start to open and turn yellow.
