Let's eat broccoli, healthy vegetable with lots of benefit

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica, Brassicaceae family) is a vegetable part of the cabbage family originating from the Mediterranean region. This plant was introduced around 1970 and is now widely known in Indonesia. Broccoli is rich in vitamins K, C, chromium and folic acid. Broccoli is also a vegetable that provides high fiber, a source of vitamin B1, beta carotene, potassium, zinc, iron, niacin and selenium. One cup of broccoli contains 54 calories, 0.64 grams. Fat provides 135% of daily vitamin C requirements, and 245% of daily vitamin K needs. It is especially is rich in glucosinolate which is important to reduce the chance of cancer. The results showed that glucosinolate reduced the potential for metastases in lung cancer, and reduced the risk of developing breast cancer.

The word “broccoli” may refer to an expensive vegetable. It certainly is as this vegetable is usually found in modern supermarkets, rarely in traditional markets, with prices ranging from Rp 20,000 - 40,000 per kg. Compared with the price of spinach which you can get a bundle by only spending 5 thousand rupiahs.

Why is the price of broccoli relatively high compared to other local vegetables? This is due to the minimal availability or yield of broccoli in Bali, while the demand is quite high especially from restaurants and hotels before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The problems on the cultivation of broccoli in Indonesia are:

1. Broccoli originates from sub-tropical regions which require relatively low temperatures for crop formation/initiation (bolting phase). If the temperature exceeds more than 10oC, the bolting does not occur, as a result, it is not possible to form the crop. In tropical regions like Indonesia, broccoli can only grow on high altitudes,> 1000 m above sea level. In Bali, a suitable location is in the Bedugul area. The planting must also be in certain seasons, such as before the rainy season, to raise the chance of forming great quality crops (the part we eat). Broccoli is not suitable to be planted during the rainy season, because the crop is easy to rot, whereas if it is planted in the dry season, the crop cannot develop properly due to drought and heat resulting in small and less fertile crops.

1. Broccoli cultivars grown in Indonesia are relatively limited, so it is necessary to try various cultivars to give broccoli farmers an option.

To address the problem of the lack of broccoli on the market, we collaborated with Cornell University to conduct an introduction to 12 varieties of broccoli in Indonesia. The 12 varieties are varieties that have been tested in the field and are suitable for planting in relatively warm conditions, namely: Alborada, Bay Meadows, Belstar, Castle Dome, Fiesta, Green Gold, Green Magic, Imperial, Ironman, Lieutenant, Marathon, and Sarasota. The 'Star Green' variety which has been commonly cultivated in Bedugul is used as a control.

The results of our 2-year research show that the ‘Castle Dome ’cultivar is highly suitable to be planted in Bedugul (1200 m DSL), Pujon, East Java (1400 m asl), and Batur (900 m asl). Other varieties also produce with banks in Bedugul and Pujon locations, except 'Fiesta'. ‘Castle Dome ’has the advantages of fast bolting (44 days after planting), fast harvest (53 days after planting), good crop size (diameter around 15-20 cm) and crop weight of more than 500 grams/crop. Some varieties are 'Bay Meadows', 'Belstar' 'Imperial' and can be planted in lower locations, such as Senganan (600 m asl), despite lower productivity and longer harvest time.

Broccoli doesn’t go with Indonesia’s conditions will show the unappealing appearance of crops such as the emergence of leaves between the crop grains (leafy), crop grains that are separated (ricey), yellow-colored crop, stretchy and light crop. The results of this study are expected to be a recommendation for local governments, farmers, to plant the varieties mentioned above so that the production of broccoli increases and the wider community can enjoy broccoli which contains endless health benefits at relatively affordable prices.

The message of the day: Put more and various vegetables on your Plate!