CABBAGE TECHNICAL

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Introduction

Cabbage is the second most important cole crop, which originated in Europe and in the Mediterranean region after cauliflower. The vegetable, which was limited in use till 1960s have now got very popular as the awareness about its high nutritive value, has grown. It is also being increasingly used in fast food, which has also shown tremendous growth in recent years. At present India comes next to China in cabbage production. Although in developed countries more than 90% area is under hybrid cabbage varieties, in India hybrids are grown only on 30% of area. Most of the hybrid seeds in India are imported by local companies and sold under different brand names.

Varieties

Research for cabbage improvement was started in the late fifties and the main emphasis in the initial stages was on standardization of seed-production technology to meet the requirement of seed which was being imported till early fifties. Most of varieties initially recommended were the introductions from abroad like Golden Acre. Pride of India and Copenhagen Market which are still being grown. Cabbage cultivars can be divided into 2 groups ie early and late. Varieties of early group take 55-70 days from transplanting to head formation which weigh 0.8-2.5 kg, whereas those of late group mature in 85-130 days and their head size is 3-7 kg. The commonly grown varieties of early group are:

(i) Golden Acre: It is a selection from Copenhagen Market, having small round heads each weighing 1-1.5 kg, with few outer leaves, maturity 60-65 days, developed by the IARI, New Delhi.

(ii) Pusa Mukta: It was developed through inter-varietal hybridization. It possesses resistance to black rot. It is short stalked with flattish round medium-sized heads and light green outer leaves.

(iii) Pride of India: It was developed at Solan. It is also a selection from Copenhagen Market. It is medium sized in frame and takes 70-75 days for head formation.

(iv) Copenhagen Market: It has bigger head than Golden Acre and takes 75-80 days for maturation. It is popular particularly in West Bengal and some nearby areas. Late varieties are grown on limited area for bulk supplies.

(v) Pusa Drum Head: It is a selection from Japanese material (EC 6774). It is flat-headed which is slightly loose, each head weighs 3-5 kg, and outer leaves are light green with prominent mid-rib. It is resistant to black leg (Phoma lingam).

(vi) Variety September: It is an introduction from Germany and is popular in Nilgiri hills. It has bluish green foliage, large frame, very compact heads, each weighting 4-6 kg; better staying power, matures in 110 days.

(vii) Late Large Drum Head: It has large flat head somewhat loose, wider frame, takes 115-120 days for maturity.

Varietal Improvement

Some hybrids have been tested under the All-India Co-ordinated Vegetable Improvement Project (AICVIP) trials and identified for release. Sri Ganesh Gol marketed by MAHYCO was identified in 1992. Its heads are very solid round with better staying power, yields 30-35 tonnes/ha. Nath Laxmi 401 released in 1993 has uniform compact heads with better shelf-life, yields 50-70 tonnes/ha. Beejo Sheetal 32 was released in 1992. It has round compact uniform heads with better staying power, yields 70-80 tonnes/ha. Two hybrids, viz Green Express and Green Boy, are marketed by National Seeds Corporation. Green Express with medium, compact heads weighing 2-3 kg is very popular, throughout the country. Pusa Sambandh, a synthetic variety from Regional Station, IARI, Katrain, has wide adaptability with round, compact heads, early, narrow frame, suitable for close planting.

Another significant achievement in cabbage breeding is development of tropical lines at the IARI, which do not require chilling for seed production. Sel 507-4, Sel. 528 and Sel 507-22 with acceptable head quality are giving good seed yield under Delhi conditions. AC 238, Spitz Kool and EC 93559 showed resistance to cabbage yellows (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp conglutinans). EC 10109, Sel. 8, Spitz Kool and Green Land Hammer possessed resistance to black rot (Xanthomonas campestris). MR-I, an introduction from the USA, carries multiple resistance to sclerotinia rot, wire stem (Rhizoctonia solani), downy mildew, black rot and soft rot (Erwinia carotovora). While screening the cabbage germplasm against pest, it was observed that red types are resistant (preferential) to cabbage caterpillar (Pieris brassicae) and susceptible to aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) and its vice versa is true in case of green cabbage. Red Pickling and Red Rock Mammoth were promising amongst red types and All season and KK Cross in green types. Hybrid IRCH 5 is tolerant to both aphids and caterpillars.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Management
For best results, 15 to 20 tonnes of farmyard manure, compost or sludge should be incorporated into the soil about four weeks before transplanting. Sixty kg of nitrogen, 80 kg of phosphorus and 40 kg of potassium per hectare should be applied just before transplanting. A top-dressing of 60 kg of nitrogen, about six weeks after transplanting at the time of earthling-up, is recommended.

Water Management

Water must be supplied in ensure continuous growth. An early crop may need irrigation twice a week till the start of the rains. The late crop may be irrigated once a week, depending on the soil and the weather condition. .

Weed Management

Disease and Pest Management

Harvesting

The growing of a green-manure crop during the rainy season, and clean cultivation during the rest of the year are recommended. One or two irrigation between the end of the monsoon and the harvesting (winter) are given in northern India. In southern India irrigation throughout the year is necessary. In addition to bulky organic manure, the use of 46 to 60 kg of N, 77.5 kg to 90 kg of P and 100 kg to 110 kg of K per hectare is recommended.