Methods & Management

Methods and Management

METHODS OF TRANSPLANTING
  • The seedlings are transplanted when they are 6 to 8weeks old.
  • The planting is done on the flat land, ridges or in furrows depending upon climate and soil condition.
  • For early planting, ridge method will be more suitable, especially, in areas where the rains occur at the time of planting.
  • In saline soils, planting should be done in furrows.
SPACING
  • Generally, recommended on the basis of maturity of cultivars, optimum planting distance for early cultivars is 45 x 45cm or 60 x 30cm. For mid maturity group, the distance is 60 x 45cm and for late maturity group, the planting distance is 60 x 60cm.
  • For tall varieties and places having longer growing periods, spacing is 90 x 90cm.
NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
  • Brussel’s sprout require more manures and fertilizers than cauliflower and cabbage because of comparatively longer growing period.
    • FYM @20-25 tonnes/ha,
    • Nitrogen @200kg/ha,
    • Phosphorous @100kg/ha and
    • Potassium @100kg/ha should be provided for getting higher yields.
  • Whole quantities of FYM, phosphorus and potassium and one third quantity of nitrogen should be applied in the soil at the time of field preparation. It is advisable to top dress the remaining two doses of nitrogen after a gap of one month.
WATER MANAGEMENT
  • First irrigation should be given just after transplanting of seedlings.
  • The first irrigation should be very light.
  • As Brussel’s sprouts require moist conditions, subsequent irrigations should be given at frequent intervals
INTERCULTURAL OPERATIONS
  • In order to provide good aeration to the root zone, one or two hoeing may be done.
  • Hoeing will also help in keeping down weeds, if any.
  • However, if growing weeds are very close to the plants, they should be pulled out by the hands.
  • Sometimes, removal of terminal buds and lower leaves may results in early and good sprouts.
TOPPING
  • Removal of apical point is done in order to harvest the whole crop at one time.
  • In normal crop also, it is done in some regions after Ist or IInd picking when the temperature is low.
HARVESTING
  • The sprouts are harvested when they are firm and well developed, usually 1-2inch in diameter.
  • The sprouts become ready for harvesting in approximately 120days after transplanting in north Indian conditions.
  • Regular harvesting at right stage enhances further growth of the plants and formation of new more heads.
  • The sprouts are picked by cutting leaving a short stalk on the main stem, rather than to break them off for the formation of new more sprouts/heads.
  • A total of 3-5pickings are obtained in a common cultivar.
  • Sprouts should be solid, dark or at least light green.
  • Sprouts with small, loose leaves at the base are considered poor in quality.
  • Loose sprouts are sometimes marketed as “Blowers”.
  • The freezing industry requires a sprout less than 3cm in diameter.
YIELD
  • The average yield is about 60-80q/ha.
STORAGE
  • The recommended storage condition for Brussel’s sprouts is 0-1oC with 90-95 per cent RH for about 3-5weeks.
  • CA storage at 5-7per cent CO2 and 2-5 per cent O2 helps to maintain quality at 4 or 10oC during storage.
Last modified: Thursday, 21 June 2012, 5:35 AM