Creating high-quality heads is paramount when breeding broccoli. "We breed for many different climates and regions with varying conditions," says Matt Linder, Brassica Senior Business Unit Manager with Sakata Seed America. "However, regardless of climate and region, specialized products that can produce high-quality heads are a requirement." At Sakata, broccoli varieties are trialed in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America. Climatic conditions include cool to warm, warm to warm, warm to hot, cool to cold, and cold to cool. In addition to heat and cold, other conditions that play a role include humidity and day length. Through this rigorous breeding and trialing process, Sakata continues to bring outstanding broccoli varieties suitable for all main production areas to market.
Appalachian broccoli variety.
The company has recently introduced four new broccoli varieties: Appalachian, Commonwealth, Duration, and Purple Magic.
New Varieties:
Appalachian
Appalachian is a mid-maturing variety that performs very well in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions of the United States. It features a compact plant and is especially suited for the crown/short trim markets. This variety is generally very uniform in maturity.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth's traits are very similar to those of Appalachian, which shows good performance in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It also has a compact plant that is well-suited for crown cut/short trim markets. Commonwealth is earlier as it is a mid-early maturing variety and has intermediate resistance to some races of clubroot.
Duration
Sakata's newest broccoli variety is Duration, which is ideal for the fresh market in Mexico. "It has nice uniformity and a fantastic blue-green color for an anthocyanin-free variety. Additionally, its strong post-harvest color retention makes Duration an exceptional choice for the crown/short trim market," commented Linder. "It's shown to be an excellent performer during Mexico's main season." This is a late-maturing variety.
Purple Magic
Purple Magic is the first purple-stemmed, purple-headed broccoli in the world, and a variety that Sakata is extremely proud of. The large, dome-shaped heads weigh about one lb. each. Purple Magic grows well in all regions of the U.S. and matures about 90 days from transplant. What makes this variety especially unique is the high levels of anthocyanin (a plant-based chemical called a flavonoid), which is thought to be useful in preventing cancer and inflammation. "It has so many unique nutritional qualities, and the purple heads and stems make it perfect for fresh market promotions. It can easily fit into an organic business product portfolio."
In fact, Purple Magic is already award-winning; it was the 2024 All-America Selections (AAS) National Award recipient and the 2025 National Garden Bureau People's Choice Green Thumb Award winner in the edible category.
Left: Duration variety. Right: Purple Magic broccoli variety.
"I will be entering my 36th year with Sakata Seed America soon, and each year I am continually impressed by the industry-leading, innovative products created by our great broccoli breeders," Linder shared. "I've had the pleasure of working with each breeder through the decades and have enjoyed every minute of working with some of the world's most exceptional breeders and human beings," he concluded.
For more information:
Matt Linder
Brassica Senior Business Unit Manager
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Radish Product Development Manager
Sakata Seed America
Tel: (+1) 831-809-1585
[email protected]
www.sakatavegetables.com