Broccoli is widely consumed in the United States, but it is sensitive to climate conditions, requiring cooler nights and stable weather. A new variety, NorthStar, developed through a collaboration between Cornell University and seed company Bejo Zaden, is designed to tolerate warmer and less predictable conditions, particularly in the Northeast growing region.
Phillip Griffiths, associate professor at Cornell, said: "With broccoli, you're typically restricted to temperate areas with more moderate growing conditions and cooler nights. Improving broccoli varieties that are more resilient to heat and environmental stress can drastically expand the agroecological zones for production."
Currently, 90% of U.S. broccoli is grown in California, but fires and extreme weather pose risks. NorthStar is bred to perform in regions such as New York, New England, and Quebec, broadening production beyond California.
Cornell and Bejo each contributed parental material to create the hybrid. Griffiths' breeding line, developed over 12 years at Cornell AgriTech, was combined with Bejo's commercial-focused genetics starting in 2012. After another 12 years of trials, the variety is being introduced to growers.
Bejo tested NorthStar at its Geneva, New York, facility, with field trials extending from southern New Jersey to Maine. Jay Collier, vegetable crop manager for Kludt Brothers Farms in Kendall, New York, reported that their test crop performed well despite hot and dry conditions. He noted the variety's longer stem eased harvesting and reduced hollow stems, a common defect.
Bejo breeder Cees Sintenie described NorthStar as "a variety with a good adaptability to heat stress, it makes a vigorous, healthy frame and produces a nice head. It especially stands out in warmer years."
The development aligns with Cornell's Eastern Broccoli Project, which began in 2010 with funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crops Research Initiative. Thomas Björkman, professor of horticulture at Cornell, said: "This variety release represents the first case of a global seed company developing a broccoli variety for our moderate-sized growing region by incorporating Cornell-developed genetics that Northeast growers need. Bejo had to invest a decade in selection and testing, which is a big commitment."
Griffiths emphasized the role of public breeding in providing long-term research foundations that private companies can commercialize. He is also working on new broccoli types, including a golden variety with a sweeter profile and Tuscan varieties with savoy leaves.
The NorthStar project received support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Source: Cornell Chronicle