Planting Time Effects on Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) Cultivation

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) belongs to the genus Brassica and family Brassicaceae which includes a wide range of crop plants derived from the Mediterranean Sea and modified over the years by selection and breeding. Broccoli is latin word 'Brachium' meaning 'arm of branch'. Also referred as 'cauliflower' or 'Italian asparagus' Broccoli is one of the most important and popular vegetable crops in many countries of the world because of its good organoleptic properties and high nutritive value. Broccoli is highly nutritious and has been considered as anti-cancerous food by the American Cancer society because it contains Indole-3-carbinol which helps to fight breast and lung cancer. It also contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and soluble dietary fiber, disaccharides, beta carotene and amino acids (including a high content of lysine) too and it has antioxidant and anticancer activity. It is a good source of vitamin A, calcium and vitamin B2 and it is a rich source of most minerals especially of potassium, phosphorus, sulphur and magnesium and micro elements.