Effect of Seed Size and Cultivar on Emergence and Stand Establishment of Broccoli in Crusted Soil

Abstract

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to determine the effect of seed size and cultivar on seedling emergence through crusted soil for several hybrid broccoli cultivars (Brassica oleracea ssp. italica). Seed was separated into four sizes (2.0, 1.8, 1.6, and 1.4 mm in diameter) for the greenhouse investigations, and soil crusting was achieved using a crusting resin. In 1989, field experiments using three seed sizes (small = 1.4 to 1.6 mm, medium = 1.7 to 1.9 mm, and large = 2.0 to 2.2 mm in diameter) were planted at the Long Island Horticultural Research Laboratory in a Riverhead sandy loam that crusted readily following rainfall. Seedling emergence data from the greenhouse and field studies indicate that seed size and cultivar significantly affect emergence and stand establishment. Seedling stand, dry weight, and final yield significantly increased as seed size increased for both cultivars in the field experiments. The emergence of `Mariner' generally was significantly better than that of `Greenlady' for each seed size. Seed of `Greenlady' also weighed significantly less than that of `Mariner' within each seed size tested.