Evaluation of Several Collard Varieties for Summer Production in North Florida
Robert C. Hochmuth, Suzanne Stapleton, Adam Townsend, Steve Olson¹

Introduction
This observational trial was conducted to evaluate eight collard varieties for their production potential during the late spring and early summer period.  Collard production in North Florida normally ends in the spring due to high temperatures and begins again in the early fall, leaving the summer period of June – September without production.  Market demands are still good through the summer months if the right varieties and production practices could be used to provide good quality collards. 

Material and Methods
Observational plots were established in a Lakeland fine sand at the North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley, near Live Oak, FL.  Plots were established after fertilizing the soil with 500 lbs/A of 13-4-13 (N-P₂O₅-K₂O).  The soil was bedded, pressed, and fumigated prior to covering with black polyethylene mulch.  Drip tape (Roberts RoDrip®) was applied to the bed center in a 1-inch deep groove in the bed top as the mulch was laid.  The black plastic mulch was painted white using a CO₂ propellant sprayer.  The paint was a mixture of white latex paint and water (1:5 mixture).  The white paint was used to reduce the bed temperature to benefit the collard crop during the high temperatures of May-July.  A white-on-black plastic mulch could also be used if available. 

Collard transplants of eight varieties (Table 1) were planted in single plots on May 15, 2002.  Two rows per bed were planted with plant spacing of 12 inches in each row.  Each plot was planted with 28 transplants. 

Harvests were made on June 14, and July 25.  Harvests were conducted by removing individual leaves and stems of marketable size.  Total harvested collard weight per plot was taken at each harvest.  In addition, on June 14, each variety sample was processed at a commercial fresh cut location.  The final marketable cut collard yield per plot was measured and recorded.  The grower also gave a texture rating of 1-10 for each plot, with 1 = too tender and 10 = best crisp texture. 

Results and Discussion
In general, the collard varieties grew well during the spring season.  Top Bunch (Fig 1) produced 25 lbs/plot (Table 1) followed by Blue Max (21 lbs/plot) (Fig 2), and Flash (20 lbs/plot) (Fig 3).  The variety, Vates, only produced 15 lbs/plot.  After all samples were graded and evaluated at the processing facility, only Top Bunch and Blue Max retained over 20 lbs/plot of marketable yield.  A texture rating was also given by the grower.  These ratings were based on the acceptability as a cut green.  If greens are too tender, a lower rating was given.  Blue Max was given the highest rating in this test. 

These plots were maintained during June and harvested again on July 25.  Top yields over the mid summer period were found in Top Bunch and Blue Max.  Poor summer yields were found in Vates and Morris Heading. 

Blue Max leaf structure was different than other cultivars in that it has a very small petiole.  This results in large leaves and seemed to be an advantage in the early season.  Leaf quality for the July 25 harvest of Blue Max was poor due to excessive toughness.  The overall evaluation of the varieties for the observational study indicated Top Bunch was the best choice overall for late spring and summer production, but Flash also showed promise. 

Table 1.  Yield and quality of eight collard varieties produced during the late spring and summer of 2002 in North Florida. 

¹ Authors

• Robert C. Hochmuth, Multi-County Extension Agent, University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley, University of Florida/IFAS, Live Oak, FL 32060-7434.

• Suzanne Stapleton, Multi-County Extension Agent, University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley, University of Florida/IFAS, Live Oak, FL 32060-7434.

• Adam Townsend, Townsend Farms, Lake City, FL

• Steve Olson, Professor, North Florida Research and Education Center - Quincy, University of Florida/IFAS, Quincy, FL 32351