Scientists at the John Innes centre in Norwich are developing a new line of fast-growing sprouting broccoli that goes from seed to harvest in 8-10 weeks. It has the potential to deliver two full crops a season in field or in protected growing it could be as much as 4-5 crops a year.
Dr Judith Irwin and her team in Norwich have been working on ways to increase crop productivity and reduce our vulnerability to fluctuations in climate – as has been demonstrated so dramatically of late by the shortages of iceberg lettuce, courgettes and broccoli from Spain.
This new line has been developed with strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Dr Irwin said: “This could mean broccoli – and in future other vegetables where the flower is eaten (for example, cauliflowers) – can be grown anywhere and at any time enabling continuous production and supply of fresh local produce”.
In order for this experimental line to move towards commercialisation, the next steps involve flavour and nutritional analysis with performance testing under protected and field commercial growing conditions. Dr Irwin discussed this new line in broccoli at the Agri-Tech East “Nutritious and Delicious” event at the end of February in Norwich.
Image: Dr Judith Irwin, John Innes Centre