Influence of different sowing times on mineral composition and vitamin C of some broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica) cultivars

Broccoli has a significant position in Cruciferea family through the vitamin C and mineral nutrients it contains. Vitamin C and mineral content in vegetables vary depending upon different sowing times. In this study, the change of vitamin C and minerals was examined in 3 different sowing times "July the 1st (ST1), August the 1st (ST2) and September the 1st (ST3)" for 4 broccoli cultivars "CV1 (cv Shogun F1), CV2 (cv Pirate F1), CV3 (cv Marathon F1) and CV4 (cv Sultan F1)". The vitamin C content ranged in between 52.6 g 100 g-1 and 32.4 g 100 g-1 for broccoli cultivars grown in different sowing times. CV3 (cv Marathon F1) had the highest vitamin C content and the late season (ST3) had higher vitamin C content than the early seasons (ST1, ST2). It was observed that different sowing times for broccoli cultivars did not affect P, Mn, Cu, and Zn contents significantly, however, the heads of the broccoli cultivars had been affected significantly for different sowing times in N, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe. In broccoli heads, N mineral content varied between 4.01 to 2.60% and attained its highest values in sowing times of ST2 (August) and ST3 (September). K content in broccoli heads was highest in ST3 (September) sowing time and varied from 3.96 and 2.21%. Ca content was highest in ST1 (July) and value varied from 1.58 to 0.80%. The highest Mg content was for ST3 (September) sowing time and its value altered from 0.18 to 0.46%. Fe content was highest in ST1 (July) sowing time and its content varied between 100.23 and 96.14 ppm. © 2011 Academic Journals