2025 Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 29-36
The quality and morphologic traits of stem-type broccoli differ depending on the month, which is problematic. We investigated the effects of differences in the position of pinching on the yield, morphologic traits of lateral flower buds, and quality of the stem-type broccoli variety ‘Stick Señor’ to produce high-quality lateral flower buds throughout the harvest period. The yield of saleable products, number and weight of lateral flower buds, and stem diameter were higher when the apical flower bud was pinched; thus, we consider that pinching is important to increase the yield and quality of ‘Stick Señor’. The yield of salable products and number of lateral flower buds increased when up to three nodes were removed and decreased with heavier pinching, such as removing eight nodes. The number and weight of the leaves of lateral flower buds decreased when up to three nodes were removed and increased with heavier pinching. Most leaves of the lateral flower buds are removed during the shipping of stem-type broccoli. Thus, the morphologic traits of lateral flower buds when up to three nodes are removed are considered suitable for shipping. Therefore, pinching of up to three nodes is desired when cultivating the stem-type broccoli variety ‘Stick Señor’.
