Cauliflower is one of the most important outdoor vegetable crops in South Tyrol. Special features can increase consumer interest and diversity on the market, holding potential for direct marketers. In addition to old and local varieties, novelties, such as colorful cauliflower, also score points. This is reported by the South Tyrolean Farmers' Association.
In the summer of 2019, in addition to 24 white cauliflower varieties, two green varieties each (Gilverde F1, Susana F1), Romanesco varieties (Punto
verde F1, White Gold F1), orange (Cheddar F1, Flame Star F1) and violet varieties (Graffiti F1, Depurple F1) were tested in the Laimburg test field in Eyrs. Sowing was carried out in two sets in polistyrol plates at the beginning of April and the beginning of May. The cultivation of the seedlings in the greenhouse lasted about four weeks. The first set was planted outdoors on 7 May and the second on 6 June. The planting density was about 33,000 plants per hectare.
In cultivation, the coloured cauliflower hardly differs from the white cauliflower. However, especially when harvesting the Romanesque type of cauliflower, great care must be taken, as the pointed ends of the flower break off easily. In contrast to the white cauliflower, the coloured cauliflower does not need to be protected from light before harvesting to avoid discolouration, as the sunlight tends to intensify the colours of the flower.
Yield survey per individual variety / Table: Laimburg Test Centre
Yield lower for coloured varieties
The results of the yield survey of the trial cultivation of summer 2019 in Eyrs are shown in Table 1. In general, it can be said that the yield performance and average head weight of the coloured cauliflower varieties are slightly below the values of the most suitable white cauliflower varieties. Normally, depending on the colourful variety, yields are expected to be between 10 and 30 percent lower than those of white cauliflower.
In the case of green cauliflower, the two varieties tested, Gilverde F1 and Susana F1, hardly differed at all in terms of both average head weight and yield. In terms of colour, however, Gilverde F1 had a more intense green and is therefore to be preferred for cultivation.
Although in the Romanescotypes the White Gold F1 variety was higher than Puntoverde F1 in both yield and average head weight in both growing sets, the cultivation of Puntoverde F1 is recommended for practical purposes, as White Gold F1 was sometimes found to have a slight brownish-red discolouration of the flower, which represents a considerable reduction in quality.
In the case of orange cauliflower, Flame Star F1 was slightly higher than the other orange cauliflower variety tested, Cheddar F1, both in terms of average head weight and yield performance in both growing sets. In the flower colour, however, Cheddar F1 scored with a more intense orange.
Comparing the two purple cauliflowers, Depurple F1 had both the higher average head weight and yield performance than Graffiti F1, in both sets. However, the colour of the flower was slightly more intense in Graffiti F1.
Economically interesting
The cultivation of coloured cauliflowers can be economically interesting in terms of diversification of supply. It should be possible, especially for direct marketers, to compensate for the somewhat lower yield through pricing. The bright colours will certainly be an eye-catcher and will also make the range of products visually attractive.
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