• Vegetables belonging to the genus Brassica

and species oleracea and family

Brassicaceae are known as cole crops.
• The word Cole comes from abbreviation of
word caulis meaning stem.
• Ancestor: Brassica oleracea var. sylvestris
(Wild cliff cabbage- colewart)
• Cole crops include cabbage, cauliflower,
knolkhol, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage,
Sprouting broccoli, Kale etc.
• Mediterranean region is the centre of origin
of cole crops
✓ B.oleracea var. capitata – Cabbage
✓ B.oleracea var. botrytis– Cauliflower
✓ B. oleracea var. gemmifera – Brussel
sprouts
✓ B. oleracea var. italica – Sprouting
broccoli
✓ B. oleracea var. gongyloides – Knol khol
✓ B. oleracea var. acephala – Kale or Collard
 Brassica oleracea (2n = 18, diploid);

• subsp. (var.) capitata; subgroup alba; white cabbage;

heads formed by infolding of leaves-externally green,
internally white.
• subsp. (var.) capitata; subgroup rubra; red cabbage;
internally white and red.
• subsp. (var.) capitata; subgroup sabauda; savoy
cabbage foliage highly wrinkled or savoyed, green.
• subsp. (var.) botrytis; subgroup cauliflora;
cauliflower ; a tight flower, generally white, some
purple.
• subsp. (var.) botrytis; subgroup italica; Broccoli; not
as tight, more bud-like individually, blue-green in
• subsp. (var.) gemmifera; Brussels sprouts; elongated
stem, miniature heads (sprouts) in leaf axils.
• subsp. (var.) acephala;; Kale, Collards, curly kale;
dwarf type, highly curled foliage.
• subsp. (var.) acephala; subgroup millecapitata;
thousand-head kale; tall-growing form, producing
whorls of young shoots high above the soil.
• subsp. (var.) acephala; subgroup palmifolia; tree
kale; tall (>2 m).
• subsp. (var.) acephala; subgroup medullosa; marrow-
stem kale; long, thickened stems, occassionaly
curled.
• subsp. (var.) gongylodes; subgroup caulo-
rapa; kohlrabi;
• All cole crops are annuals for vegetable and biennials for
seed production.
• Flowering occurs after winter since a period of low and
temperature is required for flower formation.
• In cabbage, kale, Brussels sprout, Knol khol etc., the central
stalk develops into reproductive shoot.
• In cauliflower and sprouting broccoli, heads give rise to
multiple reproductive shoots.
• Flowers of Cruciferae family have 4 sepals, 4 petals, 6
stamens of which 2 are short and 4 long.
• have anti carcinogenic properties mainly due to hydrolysed
glucosinolate derived products such as isothicyanates and
indoles.
• Excess use of cole crops results in goiter in human beings
and other animals.
 Cabbage
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.
Family: Brassicaceae
Chromosome number 2n=18
Origin : Mediterranean Region
• AREA, PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY:
➢ More than 48.15% of the area under this crop
occupied in Asian continent, which contributes about
42.29% of the total world production (Anonymous,
2003).

➢ In India, cabbage ranks second next to cauliflower in

area and production.

➢ The productivity of cabbage in India is low(21.11 t/ha)

as compared to the world productivity (24.63 t/ha) .
AREA & PRODUCTION OF CABBAGE IN INDIA
 Origin & History
• The word cabbage is derived from the French word
cobache, meaning head
• Cabbage originated from a wild non heading cliff
cabbage type, ‘Cole wart’ (Brassica oleracea var.
sylvestris).
• The genus Brassica includes about 100 species,
majorities of which are native to the
Mediterranean region.
• The crop is attributed to Mediterranean centre of
origin.
• It is also considered that the real headed cabbage
was evolved in Germany.
• The crop is attributed to Mediterranean
centre of origin.
• It is also considered that the real headed
cabbage was evolved in Germany.
• The Savoy cabbage originated in Italy and
spread to France and Germany in the
sixteenth and seventh centuries.
• The Savoy cabbage originated in Italy and
spread to France and Germany in the
sixteenth and seventh centuries.
• Cabbage was introduced much earlier than
cauliflower in our country.
• Reported to be grown during the Moghal period
though exact date is not available.
• Typically a cool season cole crop, grown for
thickened main bud called head.
• The most popular vegetable around the world in
respect of area, production and availability almost
round the year.
• Traditionally, grown to a larger extent in the
southern, eastern and coastal area of India
• With the development of hybrid and some
tropical lines, it is produced almost round the
year throughout the country.
Nutritional composition of cabbage heads (values in
100 g edible part):
Moisture(g) 92.4 Vitamin(IU) 130

Carbohydrate (g) 5.4 β-carotene(µg) 1200

Protein(g) 1.3 Thiamine(mg) 0.05

Fat(g) 0.2 Riboflavin(mg) 0.05

Calcium(g) 49 Niacin(mg) 0.03

Phosphorous(g) 29.0 Vitamin C (mg) 47

Iron(g) 0.4 Energy(k cal) 24

 Uses
◙ It is rich source of vitamin A, B & C and also
contains P, K, Ca, Na & Fe in sufficient quantity.
◙ It is known to possess medicinal properties.
◙ It was used in ancient times against ailments like
gout, diarrhea, stomach and cardiac troubles.
◙ It has anti-cancer property as it protects against
bowel cancer due to presence of indole-3-carbinol.
◙ Cabbage Juice was used as a remedy against
poisonous mushrooms and as a gargle against
hoarseness.
◙ The leaves were used to cover wounds and ulcers.
◙ It is said to help digestion.
• Cabbage leaves are low in calories (27 per cent), fat (0.1
per cent) and carbohydrates (4.6 per cent).
• It is good sources of protein (1.3 per cent) which
contains all essential amino acids, particularly sulphur
containing amino acids.
• Cabbage proteins are comparable to pea proteins, in
biological value, digestibility and NPU.
• Cabbage is an excellent source of minerals such as
calcium (39 mg), iron (0.8 mg), magnesium (10 mg),
sodium (14.1 mg), potassium (114 mg) and phosphorus
(44 mg).
• It has substantial amounts of β carotene provitamin A),
ascorbic acid, riboflavin, niacin and thiamine.
• Ascorbic acid content varies from 30-65 mg per 100 g
fresh weight. Cooking
• Red cabbage is a rich source of anthocyanin
pigments.
• Cabbage contains thermo labile sulphur
compounds, which evolve sulfurous odours.
• The major volatile sulfur compounds (dimethyl
disulfide and hydrogen sulfide) of cooked
cabbage are derived from a precursor of 1, S
methyl cysteine sulfoxide, a free amino acid.
• The presence of 2-propenyl isothiocyanate in
both white and red cabbage and 3-butenyl
isothiocynate in red cabbage has also been
reported.
• Flavour in cabbage leaves is due to the glycoside
sinigrin.
• The Iso-thiocyanates with their associate enzyme,
Myrosinase impart the desirable culinary flavour
to cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower.
• The thioglucosides (sinigrin) are non goitrogenic
which depends upon enzymatic hydrolysis in
presence of the enzyme (progoitrin and epi-
goitrin) is the precursors of an anti thyroid
compound called goitrin.
• The goitrin is formed subsequent to hydrolysis
and then through cyclization of an unstable
isothiocyanate containing hydroxyl group.
BOTANY:
• It is grown as an annual for vegetable and biennial as seed crop.

• The edible portion made up of numerous thick over lapping small

leaves covering with a terminal bud is known as head.

Root system:

•Shallow fibrous, extensive &finely branched root system.

Leaves:
CABBAGE SEEDLING
• Has wax coating.

• First 3 Leaves are having petioles.

• Later leaves are completely sessile.

Flowers:
•Born on main stem or lateral branches.
•Simple racemose. it becomes corymbose raceme
Cabbage flower
•Bright yellow colour.
•Perfect flowers having 4 sepals, petals and 6 stamens
•Of which 2 are short and 4 are long.
•Two cellar ovary each cell having many ovules.
Seed:
• Bicarpallary pod called Siliqua. Cabbage seeds
•Contain 10-20 seeds.
•Reddish brown to grey black in colour.
 Soils
• Cabbage can be grown in all types of soil with
good fertility and good water regime.
• The mid season and late crop will grow very
well in medium, medium heavy and heavy
soils.
• For early crop, a light to light medium soil
should be preferred so that the drainage is
easier in the rainy season.
• On heavy soils, plant grows more slowly and
the keeping quality is improved because of
compactness.
♠ It prefers a soil reaction ranging from pH 6 to
6.5.
♠ Most cabbages are some what tolerant to salt.
♠ In saline soils, the plants show die back
margins and dark foliage & become more
susceptible to the diseases like black leg.
♠ C-index is a measure of salt content (i.e. g of
NaCl per lt. of soil moisture). For Red Cabbage,
the limit of salt tolerance is C-4 whereas for
savoy and white cabbage it is C-6. At C-8 the
crop may show reduction of 40% yield.
 Climate
• It can withstand extreme cold and frost
better than cauliflower.
• It thrives best in a relatively cool and
moist climate,
• The optimum seed germination is
obtained at 12.6-15.6 oC soil
temperature.
• The optimum temperature for growth
and head formation is 15-20 oC

whereas above 25 oC, the growth is

checked.
• The minimum temperature for its
growth is just above 0 oC.
• Withstand temperature of 10-40 0C for a
few days only.
• After cold treatment at 4-10 oC for 7-9
weeks, the plants bolt sooner with
abundant flowers but plant should have
passed juvenile phase.
• If the plants are not exposed to chilling
temperature for required duration the
cultivar remain vegetative.
 ☻ The cabbages are classified into three broad groups
☻ White cabbage – most commonly cultivated in India. Pointed,
Round and Flat or Drumhead are the shapes
☻ Red cabbage – Leaves have distinct coat of wax and tolerant to
diamond back moth.
☻ Savoy cabbage – Blistered leaves and the shape is pointed round
and flat.
 Based on their head shapes

• Round or ball head: Most common in

India. Ex. Golden Acre, Pride of India,
• Pointed head or Conical head: Ex. Jersy
Wakefield
• Flat and drumhead: Ex. Pusa Drum Head
• Savoy type: Ex. Chieftain
Nieuwhof (1969) reported three cultivated forms
of cabbage

B.oleracea var. B.oleracea var. B.oleracea var.

capitata L. f. alba – capitata L. f. rubra – capitata L. sabauda –
White Red cabbage savoy cabbage
Character EARLY MID GROUP LATE GROUP
GROUP
Mature from Days 55-70 days 80-95 days 110-120 days
After Transplanting
( DAT)
Head size small medium large
Head shape round to flattish Round to oval Flattened
round head
Head weight kg 1.0 to 2.5 kg 2.0 to 5.0 kg 4.0 to 6.0 kg
popularity Eastern and Not so popularity Not available in
western parts of in India most of growing
the country areas in India ,
hence very
popular in India
E.g. Golden Acre Glory of Pusa Drum Head
Enkhuizen
 Hybrid varieties
► BS 32 (Bejo shetal), Nath 401 and Sri
Ganesh Gole (Maayco), Hari Rani Gole,
Quisto, Bajrang, Kranti, Mitra are some
with promise & identified through AICVIP.

Varieties of Red Cabbage

► Red Acre
► Red Mammoth

Varieties of Savoy Cabbage

◙ Perfection (Syn. Chieftain)
 Cultivars suitable for growing in Himachal Pradesh

1. Golden Suitable foe cultivation in all areas of the state, heads are small
Acre and compact weigh around 1-1.5kg with few outer cup shaped
leaves, early in maturity and gets ready in 60-70 days which is a
week earlier to Pride of India, average yield 225-250q/ha
2. Pusa An early variety with medium sized solid, flattish round and
Mukta attractive heads, slightly late than Golden Acre and gives higher
yield (250-300q/ha), resistant to black rot, a suitable variety for
summer season in Zone II and Zone III
3. Pride Small round compact heads with medium sized frame, matures
of in about 7o-75 days, heads remain small and loose under less
India favourable conditions, harvesting at proper stage is essential
otherwise heads crack, average yield 250-300q/ha.
4. Pusa Large flattened and solid heads, higher yield but consumers
Drum preference is less, late in maturity and ready in 90 days, field
Head resistant to black leg, average yield 375-435 q/ha.
 Planting Time
Mainly grown as a winter crop from October –January in
the Northern Indian plains

Zone Time of nursery sowing

Low Hills August – September
Mid Hills August – September
February – March
High Hills April- May

➢ Seedlings become ready for transplanting in 4-5 weeks

time.
➢ Seedlings 5mm in diameter are better for field setting
➢ Seedlings must be about 10-12cm in length at the time of
transplanting.
 Planting time
• The optimum time of transplanting varies in
different climatic conditions.
• The planting in plains of India can be done
from August to December and in hills from
April to August.
• Early maturing cultivars like “Golden Acre”
does well in the plains because of shorter cool
period, while, “Drum Head Late”, “Pusa Drum
Head” and other late maturing varieties
performs better in hills, where, cool
temperature are available for longer
•The planting is done on the flat land, ridges
or in furrows depending on climate and soil
conditions.
•For early planting, ridge method will be more
suitable, especially, in areas where the rain
occurs at the time of planting.
•In saline soils, planting should be done in
furrows.
 Transplanting and spacing
▪ Transplant the seedlings at 4- 5 true
leaves stage, about 25 days after
sowing.
▪ Usually space them 45 cm apart in
double rows of 45-60 cm apart on
each bed of 90- 100 cm wide.
❑Spacing:
➢ Early maturity - Row to Row :45 cm
Plant to Plant : 30
cm
➢ Late Maturity - Row to Row :60cm,
Plant to Plant : 45
cm
47
 Manures and Fertilizers
Open pollinated varieties
FYM (q/ha) N P2O5 K2 O
(Kg/ha)
250 125-150 60-80 50

☻ Full dose of farmyard manure and phosphorus and one-

third of N and half of potassium should be applied at the
time of transplanting.
☻ Remaining part of N should be top dressed at an interval of
one month each while half of potassium is to be applied
alongwith N during second top dressing.
 Irrigation
• Cabbage cannot tolerant drought.
Therefore irrigation should be applied
frequently and evenly, especially in the
head developing period.

• Uneven soil moisture can cause

fluctuations in the uptake of nutrients
and lead to tip burn or head-splitting.

• Drip irrigation is the most suitable

method of irrigation, which provides
uniform supply of water.

• Daily irrigation or on alternate days with

On-line type of drippers is preferred.

50
 Other inter cultural practices
• Weeding:
• Two three manual weddings are required.
• The herbicides like Trifluralin @ 0.5 kg/ha (soil
incorporation) and Fluchloralin @ 0.5 kg/ha (soil
incorporation) can be used for weed control in
cabbage.

52
• Earthing up:
• Hoeing: Shallow hoeing should be done
to remove weeds and loosen the soil for
better aeration.
• To produce solid heads, the plants are
earthed 5–6 weeks after transplanting.
• PGR Spray: Two sprays of GA 5ppm to the
seedlings give significant increase in yield and
quality of heads.
• The highest yield/unit area are obtained with 2
sprays of 0.05ppm of NAA, 2 and 3 weeks
after transplanting.
 Mulching:
➢ Straw mulching should be applied after
transplanting to prevent soil erosion during the
rainy season.
➢ Black plastic mulch is also useful in
cabbage.

55
Different Types of Mulching in Cabbage 56
 Harvesting
☻In general, the heads are harvested when they are firm and
solid.
☻The heads are cut with a knife, frequently attached with some
non-wrapper leaves which give protection to the heads from
bruising injury.
☻Delay in harvesting results in cracking and rotting of heads.

Yield (q/ha)
Early varieties 250-300
Late season varieties 400-500
 Pre and post harvest handling
Harvesting should be done preferably in the late evening or early
morning so that the product remains turgid and fresh
Trimming of diseased, damaged, rotten and discoloured leaves.
Avoid direct contact of heads with the soil and exposure to direct
sunlight.
Proper packing to avoid bruising.
Grading for uniform produce.
Sprinkle water over the heads to maintain turgidity and
freshness.

Storage
◙ The early varieties can be stored for 4-6 weeks at 0oC-1.7oC and
RH between 92-95% while the late ones for 12 weeks due to
firmness of heads.
 Phisiological disorder in cabbage
1) Internal Tip burn:
• Tip burn is a nonpathogenic internal disorder that is
associated with the death of leaf tissue, usually along
the leaf margins in the interior of the head. The
affected tissue loses moisture and takes on a papery
appearance.

• This problem was associated with excessive nitrogen

fertilization, by a lack of Ca in the soil.

59
 Tip burn
• Perhaps the most promising control of tip burn
is through the development of resistant
varieties.

60
• Tip burn:
• Symptoms:
➢ Tan or brown coloured tissues, Which may later
appear dark brown or even black.
• Causes:
➢ High Nitrogen dose of application, high R.H& Ca
imbalance.
• Control:
➢ soil or foliar application of calcium will be
effective in reducing tip burning because of
calcium is fixed by the outer leaves and not
further translocated to the young growing leaves.
➢ The only solution is of tip burning is to grow
resistant varieties.
 Black Petiole
Control :
▪ Development of resistant varieties.
▪ Balance fertilization of N, P & K.

62
 3) Black speck /Pepper Spot
• Development of individual specks, randomly
distributed over the leaf, begins at the stomata on either
side of the leaf.

• It occurs with varying severity on the outer leaves of

the head, but often can be seen deep in the center of the
head. It usually becomes visible only after cabbage has
been stored under cool conditions for a period of time.

• Although the cause is unknown, high rates of fertilizer,

cultural conditions promoting vigorous growth, and
temperature fluctuations have been reported to increase
plant susceptibility. 63
 3) Black speck /Pepper Spot
• High rates of potassium in the soil have been
shown to significantly reduce the severity of
the disease.

64
 4) Cabbage splitting
• Cabbage splitting is mainly a
problem with early cabbage.

• A problem can develop when

moisture stress is followed by
heavy rain.

• The rapid growth rate associated

with rain, high temperatures and
high fertility cause the splitting.

• Proper irrigation may help

prevent splitting.
65
54
 Cracking
❖Leaves may grow through head.
❖Plant so, crop develops in mild
or cool weather.

Possible Reasons
❖Excess N fertilizer
❖Hot, dry weather

Management
❖Do not let soil dry out.
❖Fertilize properly.
 Cabbage seeds

Cabbage bolting
SEED PRODUCTION OF CABBAGE:
Isolation Distance:

Breeder seed Foundation seed Certified seed

3000m 1600m 1000m

Methods of seed production:

1.Seed to seed method (In situ method)

2.Head to seed method ( Transplanting method)
3.Late planting.
Seed to seed Method:
➢Also called in-situ method.
➢For production of foundation & certified seed
production seed to seed method is commonly used by using
of high quality breeder seed.
➢This is commercial method of seed production.
This method sub divided into
i) Head intact method,
ii) Stump method
iii) Stump method with central core intact
Head intact method:
➢Most common method.

➢The plants are allowed to over winter at place of

original planting as seedling.

➢Head formation is completed by mid Dec.

➢Heads cut with sharp knife two vertical crosses are

made.
Merits:
➢The heads are allowed to over winter in the field and
no wastage of labour for shifting.
➢No direct injury of snow/ frost on the growing parts
is found.
➢ Higher seed yield observed than to seed method.
➢Selection and rouging of heads can be delayed.
Demerits:
➢No extra income from the sale of heads.
➢Earthing up is needed support the wt.of heads.
➢Cross cuts, if done carelessly may injure the terminal
buds.
➢Flowering and maturity is generally delayed.
Stump method:
➢Fully mature heads are decapitated just below the
base with a sharp knife.
➢Keeping the stem with outer whorls of leaves intact.
➢This method is useful when the selection of heads is
based on internal characters like core size.
Merits:
➢ Extra income from the sale of heads.
➢ Flowering and maturity is advanced about 14 days.
Demerits:
➢ Flowering shoots arising from the stumps are
decumbent which breakdown easily and require
staking.
➢Rotting of stumps from the cut ends a frost/snowfall.
Stump method with central core intact:
➢Removing the whole heads they are chopped off on
all sides with downward perpendicular cuts in such a
way that the central core is not damaged.
Merits:
➢Higher seed yields the stump method.
➢The flowering branches are not decumbent.
➢Early seed maturity.
Demerits:
➢The cut portion of heads are un-marketable. Require
additional labour.
Head to seed method:
➢This method is mostly used for nucleus seed
production

➢True to true type heads are selected, up rooted in a

separate plot during Nov-Dec.

➢ Before replanting the outer leaves are removed.

➢ Plants are set in the field in such a way that the

whole stem below the head is the grouped with the
head resting just above the surface of soil.
Late planting:
➢Modification of insitu method.
➢Followed for early crops.
➢When planted late will bolt directly in spring after
over wintering in the field without forming typical
heads.
➢Plants formation of head occur in May-June.
➢Seed yield is high but not having quality.
* At and after flowering and maturity stage
Roguing:
➢ At full vegetative (initiation stage)
➢ At heading stage,
➢ Bolting &pre flowering stage.
Harvesting:
➢Ripening starts –mid June onwards.
➢ 70% pods on a branch have changed to yellowish
brown colour.
➢Seed turns brown.
Designated diseases
Black leg, Black rot and Soft rot.
Seed yield:
Early vars-500-600 kg/ha.
Late vars-600-700kg/ha.