High nitrogen during growth reduced glucoraphanin and flavonol content in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) heads
R. B. Jones A B , M. Imsic A , P. Franz A , G. Hale A and R. B. Tomkins AA Knoxfield Centre, Primary Industries Research Victoria, Private Bag 15, Ferntree Gully DC, Vic. 3156, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: rod.jones@dpi.vic.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(12) 1498-1505 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA06205
Submitted: 4 July 2006 Accepted: 24 May 2007 Published: 16 November 2007
Abstract
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) heads are commonly consumed in the Western diet and frequent consumption is thought to help protect against certain cancers and cardiovascular disease. Broccoli heads contain relatively high levels of glucosinolates and flavonols, thought to be the key phytochemicals that contribute to the health benefits gained upon consumption. In this study, we investigated the effect of applied nitrogen (N) at either 0, 15, 30 or 60 kg/ha, or 30, 60, 90 or 150 kg/ha with applied sulfur (S) at 50 or 100 kg/ha on the glucosinolates glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin and progoitrin, and the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol in broccoli cv. Marathon florets. Trials were conducted in two sites in either heavy clay or sandy loam to also assess the effect of soil type on phytochemical content. Application rates were based around recommended N and S applications for this crop in south-east Australia. N applications over 30 kg/ha caused a decrease in the content of glucoraphanin (18–34%) and both flavonols (20–38%). Progoitrin content was not affected while glucobrassicin increased by up to 44% with N applications >30 kg/ha. S applications of 50 or 100 kg/ha had no significant effect on either glucosinolates or flavonols. Crop yield (fresh weight), however, was significantly depressed (up to 40%) by N applications below 60 kg/ha. Fresh weight was also significantly depressed in plants grown in heavy clay compared with plants grown in a sandy loam, and phytochemical content increased, possibly due to a concentration effect. Therefore, low N applications to optimise phytochemicals may be only commercially useful if growers are producing mini-broccoli heads, as levels required to optimise phytochemical content (<30 kg/ha) also caused a significant decline in yield.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Sonja Winkler, Christine Frisina and Bret Henderson for their valuable technical assistance. This paper is a publication from Vital Vegetables, a Trans-Tasman research project jointly funded and supported by Horticulture Australia Ltd, New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research Ltd, the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, the Australian Vegetable and Potato Growers Federation Inc., New Zealand Vegetable and Potato Growers Federation Inc. and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
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