Broccoli that stays green for longer was touted as likely to become a commercial reality at the launch of Horticulture Research International's annual report, held in London on Wednesday.

Scientists at HRI are conducting a four-year Defra-funded study into the factors behind the shelf life of broccoli.

The study is considering cultural methods of extending the vegetable's life, by attempting to identify the genes and compounds responsible for this characteristic and investigating the factors that determine this.

Project leader David Pink, pictured, said: 'Ultimately we hope the work being carried out at HRI will allow plant breeders to develop new varieties that retain their looks, flavour and nutrients for longer.' With broccoli now the UK's most popular brassica, this research has long-term commercial implications for producers. In the past decade the value of broccoli has more than doubled to £45 million, but a short shelf-life of two to three days may be preventing a further increase.

Additional research at HRI is considering a new peat-substitute product for the growing of mushrooms.

The UK commercial horticulture industry is a major user of peat, and annually uses around 250,000 metres cubed for growing the crop. However, with growing public and environmental pressure against the destruction of peat boglands, Defra and the mushroom industry have provided £350,000 to fund research into alternatives.

HRI began this research in 1997 and has found two suitable products. One is composted bark fines and the other is fine particle tailings. The latter has been extensively trialled and patented by HRI.

To prove its effectiveness, an 18-month trial was held at the National Trust's Hanbury Hall property in Worcestershire. These gardens host the oldest mushroom house in the world, which remains in production, which has been growing the fungi since 1860.

The result of this trial was that a mix of 70 per cent bark fines and 30 per cent coal tailings produced mushrooms that, in terms of yield and quality, were indistinguishable from those grown in peat-based casings.

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