Development and validation of a model describing the curd induction of winter cauliflower

Summary

A simulation model was proposed to predict changes in apex development during the curd induction phase of winter cauliflower (Brassica olerácea var. botrytis L.). The model included a continuous asymmetric function for temperature based on a gamma distribution using only two parameters. The model was fitted to data for the two winter cauliflower selections ‘March’ and ‘December/January’. The temperature function implied little apex expansion below 4 and 8°C for ‘March’ and ‘December/January’ respectively but the upper limit of 17°C was the same for both selections. The modal value of 9.4°C for ‘March’ was lower than that for ‘December/January’ at 11.7°C. The model accurately predicted progress through curd induction on independent data sets for each selection.