Temperate Vegetables (1+1)

BRUSSELS SPROUT

AIM: This crop gets its name from the city of Brussel’s in Belgium, where it has been grown for several hundred years. The sprouts resemble miniature cabbages and are borne in the axils of leaves along and around the main stock progressively from the bottom upwards. The sprouts are usually cooked and also pickled. This is very nutritious winter season crop of temperate regions. The present chapter will make the students understand regarding its production technology, importance, seed production technology and plant protection measures.

BOTANICAL NAME : Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
CHROMOSOME NO : 2n=2x=18
FAMILY : Cruciferae
ORIGIN : Belgium

DISTRIBUTION

• It is an important vegetable in European countries.
• This vegetable, although a popular vegetable in England and its continents, is sparingly cultivated in the United States of America.
• From Belgium it has been introduced to England (1810).
• Some parts of Long Islands in New York are also well known for Brussels Sprouts production.
• In India, it is widely grown in Kodai kanal and Nilgiris hills of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
• Exact statistics regarding area, production and productivity are not available.

NUTRITIVE VALUE (per 100g of edible portion)

Energy (Kcal)	45	Riboflavin (mg)	0.16
Moisture (%)	85.2	Niacin (mg)	0.9
Protein (g)	4.9	Ascorbic acid (mg)	102
Fat (g)	0.4	Calcium (mg)	36
Carbohydrate (g)	8.3	Phosphorus (mg)	80
Vitamin-A (IU)	550	Iron (mg)	1.5
Thiamin (mg)	0.10

CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

• Brussel’s sprout requires a cool climate.
• It is somewhat sensitive to temperature.
• In warm weather, bud clusters become loose quickly.
• It can tolerate frosty conditions.
• However, the best quality sprouts are produced in the sunny weather and light frost during nights.
• Suitable temperature for seed germination is 12-16^oC and for optimum growth is 16-20^oC.

SOIL

• Sandy and silt loam soils are most suited for Brussels sprouts.
• It grows well in drained upland soil.
• Soils must have capability for retention of good moisture.
• Soil pH should be 5.8 to7.2 for better growth.

VARIETIES / HYBRIDS
Two types of varieties are there on the basis of growth of the plant

1. Dwarf
2. Tall
   

Hilds Ideal:

• It is an introduction and recommended by IARI, Regional Station, Katrain (Kullu Valley).
• Plant height varies from 60-65cm with 45-55sprouts/plant and number of leaves varies from 45-55.
• Average diameter of sprouts is 7.0-8.0cm and each sprout weighs about 7-8g.
• Sprouts are compact with good flavour.
• It takes about 115days for first picking after transplanting..
• Average yield per plant varies from 250-400 .
• Picking at 10days interval is recommended to get the higher quality sprouts, as they start bursting if not harvested at time.

Jade Cross:

• It is an early hybrid which matures in 90days after transplanting.
• Sprouts are firm, dark green, closely packed on long stems.
• It can be grown under wide range of growing conditions.
• Some other important varieties are Improved Long Island, Danish Prize, Early Morn, Amager Market and Frontier Zuerg.

SOWING TIME

• Brussels sprout is sown in June-July and seedlings are transplanted from July to September (for early crop) and October to middle November (for the late crop) in northern parts of the India.
• In eastern India, sowing is generally started from mid to late September.
• Sowing is delayed further in the southern hills except in the western and southern peninsular, where this crop can be grown almost round the year by selecting proper cultivar.
• In hills, especially in high hills, seeds are sown in April-June for summer/autumn crop.
• In the hilly areas which receive heavy rains, the summer and autumn crops are rather limited and sowing is done in autumn to harvest them in later spring on in early summer by over watering them.

SEED RATE

• About 200-500g seed/ha is required for raising the seedlings.