In 2022 we plan to trial ~35 varieties of broccoli to screen for tolerance to black rot and Alternaria, and to identify varieties that perform well in our climate. In addition to conducting an inoculated trial at the Southern Research and Outreach Center, we hope to trial these varieties on farms to get grower feedback. Last year we had 80 participants, and we hope to recruit the same number this year. Participants will receive 50 seeds of up to 8 varieties.
How does it work?
As a participant, you can opt to
participate in an early trial (June 1 transplant date), a late trial (August 1 transplant date), or both. For each trial you participate in, you'll receive 4 varieties with 50 seeds each, though you can choose to plant fewer total plants (e.g. 10 plants from each variety). We'll send your seeds in the mail at least a month before they need to be planted. You'll keep an eye on the plants over the growing season, and submit simple reviews. Reviews are all based on a 1-5 scale, so they are quick and don't require you to measure anything with a scale or ruler. We'll ask about things like marketable yield, disease, bolting, and appearance.
What is the benefit?
It's fun to try new varieties! These varieties have been carefully selected to represent a wide range of genetics. They include varieties already popular in the Midwest, some new ones, and some that have not yet been released. Your feedback will be pooled with other growers, and the results will help you and other farmers in our area to select better adapted varieties in the future. As our climate becomes wetter and hotter, but also more prone to drought spells, it's important that we have varieties that can handle these conditions.
If you missed our 2021 report, check it out here.
How do I sign up?
Sign up for the 2022 trial here. We'll follow up with participants early this spring about an optional orientation call, and you'll get your seeds in the mail soon.
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| Inoculated trial at the SROC. Photo: Charlie Rohwer |
Questions? Reach out to Natalie Hoidal at hoida016@umn.edu.
This trial is a collaboration between the University of Minnesota, SeedLinked, and the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. It was funded by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
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