Lecture 5 KnolKhol & Brussel’s Sprout

B.N.:(Brassica oleraceae var. gongylodes) Family: Brassicaceae Origin : Mediterranean region (North Europe) KnolKhol

The cultivation of knolkhol or Kohlrabi in India is not very popular except in Kashmir, W.B. and some parts of the south. KnolKhol is characterized by the formation of tuber which arises as thickening of the stem tissue above the cotyledons. This tuber or knob develops entirely above the ground. This portion is used for vegetable. Young leaves are also used. It is high in minerals like Ca, Mg, P, Na & S. It also contains protein, carbohydrates, Vitamin A & C. Knobs are either used as cooked or as boiled vegetable. Also used as salad. Leaves are also used in preparation of soup.

Climate  It is mainly grown as a winter vegetable crop and thrives well in a relatively cool moist climatic conditions.  Seeds of knolkhol germinate well at o C.  Optimum temperature for its growth is between o C depending upon cultivars.  Early varieties are more prone to premature bolting.  When grown below 15 o C for longer period, these varieties produce flowering stalks directly without forming knobs.  High temperature after planting can delay the bolting of plants.  Crop grows well for the tuber production at o C though the quality is better under lower temperature.  Purple varieties are more susceptible to pre-mature bolting.  All types of soil though it makes no high demand upon it.  Good condition and fertility favour growth in a uniform manner. Soils

Planting Time Seed sowingTransplanting time Early cropAugustSeptember Main cropSeptemberOctober Late cropOctoberNovember HillsMarch-AprilMay-early June Under North eastern plains Seed sowing Low HillsJuly-October Mid HillsJuly-October High HillsMarch-July Himachal Pradesh

Seed Rate  g/ha ( g in H.P.) cm x cm (30 x 20 cm in H.P.) Optimum yield obtained at 30 cm x 25 cm. Planting Distance Manures and Fertilizers FYM (q/ha)NP2O5P2O5 K 2 O (Kg/ha) ☻Half of N and full P and K fertilizers should be applied as basal (at transplanting) and half N one month after sowing planting.

Interculture and Weed Control  Proper moisture should be maintained during its growth.  Pre-planting application of weedicide followed by hoeing & weeding in the later stage will keep the crop free of weeds.  Any check in the growth will cause development of fibrous knobs.

Harvesting and Yield Harvest tubers before fully grown, because old tubers eventually become fibrous. Generally, tubers of 5-8 cm dia & bright colour along with the foliage are favoured in the market. Late varieties may attain cm dia at harvesting stage. For its marketing, the main root is cut off & the enlarged stem along with the leaves are tied up. Individual tuber may weigh g The yield/ha may vary from t/ha under Indian conditions.

Brussel’s Sprout

B. N.: Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera Family : Cruciferae Chr. No: 2n=2x=18 Origin : Europe

Brussels sprouts are large, immature leaf buds, about one to two inches in diameter. They are green, oval, and have tightly overlapped leaves. They look like very small cabbages The sprouts grow along the central stem of the plant, each bud resting atop a leaf stem. Brussels sprout plants can grow very tall, usually about 2 to 3 feet. Their large, round leaves grow in whorls around a thick, central stalk. The cluster of greens at the top of the plant can be harvested and eaten.

Nutritional value NutrientAmountNutrientAmount vitamin K mcgvitamin B60.28 mg vitamin E 1.33 mg Tryptophan0.04 g vitamin C96.72 mgvitamin B10.17 mg Folate93.60 mgomega 3 fatty acids0.26 g vitamin A IUIron1.87 mg manganese0.35 mgPhosphorus87.36 mg dietary fiber4.06 gProtein3.98 g potassium mgMagnesium31.20 mg

Varieties/Hybrids HILDS IDEAL: Its plant height is cm with sprouts / plant and number of leaves varies from Average diameter of sprouts is cm and weights about 7-8 g. Sprouts are compact with good flavour. It takes about 115 days for first picking. Average yield per plant is varies from g. JADE CROSS: It is 90 days crop duration hybrid. Sprouts are firm, dark green, closely packed on long stems, can be grown under wide range of growing conditions.

Soil Conditions Sandy and silt loam soils. Well drained upland soil. Soils must have good retention of moisture. Soil pH to 7.2

Sowing Time Sown in June- July and seedlings are planted from July to September (for early crop) October-November (for late crop) in northern parts of the India. In eastern India, mid to late September. In hills, seeds are sown in May-June for summer/autumn crop.

Seed Rate: g seed/ha Methods of Transplanting and Spacing: 6-8 weeks old seedlings should be transplanted. Planting distance: For early : 45 X 45 cm or 60 X 30 cm Mid : 60 x 45 cm Late : 60 X 60 cm.

Intercultural Operations: one or two hoeing may be done. Removal of terminal buds and lower leaves may results in early and good sprouts. Water Management: Irrigation after completing the transplanting. should be very light. subsequent irrigations should be given at frequent intervals.

Harvesting:- The sprouts are harvested 120 days after transplanting When they are firm and well developed usually 1-2" in diameter. Sprouts should be harvested at frequent intervals. Yield:- 60 to 80 q/ha. Storage: storage conditions for Brussels sprouts are 0 to l°C and per cent RH for 3-5 weeks (Harden burg et al. 1990).

Seed Production Time of Sowing : End of October or first week of November Preparation of Land for Transplanting: Prepare the land to a fine tilth by repeated ploughing and harrowing followed by levelling. Cultural Practices

Transplanting: Three to four-week-old seedlings are transplanted Spacing: Late varieties:60 x 60 cm Medium varieties:60 x 45 cm Early varieties:45 x 45 cm

Staking: staking is necessary to keep the plants in an upright position. Handling the Mature Head: Can be done by any one of the three methods i.e. stump, stump with central core intact methods, described earlier. Diseases and Pests Control: As described earlier.

Rouging 3 rougings are done: 1 st : All off type plants, diseased, or otherwise undesirable types, are removed at this stage. 2 nd : is done before the heads start bursting. The loose leafed, poorly heading plants and those having a long stem with heavy frame must be rouged out at this stage. 3 rd : Subsequent rouging for off types, diseased plants affected by phyllody, black leg, soft rot or leaf spot should be done from time to time as required.

Harvesting and Threshing: The ripening of pods commences by 15 June to 20 June and the harvesting continues up to second week of July. To avoid shattering of seeds, the whole crop is harvested in two or three lots with sickles. Threshing is done with sticks and sifted with hand sifters. After thoroughly drying, seeds are cleaned and stored.

Seed Yield: kg per hectare. Seed Certification Standards Field Inspection: 3 inspections 1 st before the marketable stage 2 nd at the marketable stage. 3 rd at flowering stage.

Field Standards General Requirements 1. Isolation: ContaminantsMinimum distance (meters) Foundation Certified Fields of other varieties Fields of the same variety not conforming varietal purity

Specific requirements FactorsMax. permitted(%) Foundation Certified Off Types Plants affected by seed borne diseases

Seed standards Factors Standard for each class Foundation Certified Pure seed(min) Inert matter(max) Other crop seed(max) Weed seeds(max) Germination(max) Moisture(max) For vapour proof containers(max) 98% 2.0% 5/kg 10/kg 65% 7.0% 5.0%

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