Climate change is threatening Swiss broccoli production with established varieties. The high temperatures in summer lead to high losses, so that some producers do not cultivate at all during the midsummer weeks. In autumn, high humidity leads to yield losses due to head rot. These problems are common to both conventional and organic production.
The main expected outcome of this project is the definition of the best adapted broccoli varieties for summer and autumn cultivation under Swiss growing conditions. Variety testing will be carried out in a practical and efficient way by testing new heat and head rot tolerant varieties in field trials with an existing network of farmers. By working closely with producers and conducting the trials on practical farms, we expect to produce a "ready-for-use" solution, where the results of the project can be used directly in production.
The trials will be carried out under conventional and organic conditions in two important broccoli production regions in Switzerland (St. Galler Rheintal and Northwest/Central Switzerland) to take into account different pedoclimatic conditions and different cultivation parameters.
In the long term, the results of the project will contribute to a change in production systems based on the widespread cultivation of suitable varieties. The project will develop recommendations for resilient and adapted varieties that can help producers to reduce the use of resources (water, fertilisers, pesticides, etc.) and ensure the sustainability of Swiss broccoli production systems.
Project manager
