- Cole crops like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower originated in southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. They were first domesticated as annual, non-heading types. - Important cole crops include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, and kohlrabi, which are varieties of Brassica oleracea. - Cole crops are low in calories, fat and carbohydrates but high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They have known anticancer properties.

1. Cole Crops
Presented by –
Anurag Dasmohapatra
M.Sc. Final Yr.
Veg Sc.

2. Origin and Domestication
Wild relatives include kales and other non-heading
cabbages, seakale thought to be wild form
Center of origin – southern Europe and the
Mediterranean region
First domesticated types were annual, and non-
heading
All cultivated types arose as mutants or selections

3. Brassica Crops
Crops, species, and relationships
B. nigra – black mustard
B. oleracea – (cole crops) cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi
B. rapa – turnip, Chinese mustard, turnip rape,
Chinese cabbage
B. carinata – Abyssinian mustard
B. juncea – various forms of mustard
B. napus – rutabaga, Siberian kale, oil rape

4. Black mustard
(Brassica nigra)
Seeds used to
make mustard

5. Cole crops
(Brassica oleracea)

6. Chinese mustard
Brassica rapa
Used as a
potherb

7. Brassica
carinata
Abyssinian
mustard
Used for
industrial seed
oil

8. Edible mustards
B. Juncea
Used as potherbs

9. Rapeseed
B. napus Used for culinary seed oil

10. Brassica genetic relationships

11. Cole crop
relationships

12. Cole Crops (B. oleracea)
Crops, species, and relationships
Most important species is B. oleracea
Acephala – kale
Botrytis – cauliflower
Capitata – cabbage
Gemmiferae – brussel sprouts
Gongylodes – kohlrabi
Italica – sprouting broccoli (calabrese)

15. Cole Crops
Characteristics - nutrition
Low in carbohydrates, fats, calories
Good source of protein (balanced), minerals,
vitamin A, vitamin C, other vitamins
Known anticancer properties
Includes antioxidants – ascorbic acid, tocopherols,
carotenoids, isothiocyanates, indoles, flavanoids

16. Brassica Crops
Toxicity
Contain glucosinolate compounds
Converted to: isothiocyanates, thiocyanates, nitriles,
goitrin
Interfere with thyroxine production
Associated with goiter (thyroid enlargement)
Low glucosinolate varieties are bred

17. Cole Crops
Production – Soils and Climate
All cool-season, hardy crops, frost tolerant
Prefer cool, moist climates (cabbage widely
adapted)
Dry conditions enhance petiole growth,
fibrousness
Heat causes strong flavors
Requires consistent water availability
Can be grown on any type of soil

18. Cole Crops
Production – propagation and planting
Seed propagated
Direct seeded
Short season crops (kohlrabi, kale)
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower for processing
Transplanted
Crops for early harvest, garden production
Expensive hybrid seed

19. Hollow stem in broccoli – boron deficiency

20. Cole Crops
Production – Buttoning and blindness
Premature initiation of heads or inflorescence
Results in low yield, small unmarketable product
Caused by growth disruption due to:
Low nitrogen
Low soil moisture
Low temperature (if plants are past juvenile – ¼” stems
Other causes

21. Buttoning vs normal broccoli

22. Vernalization requirements of cole crops

23. Cole Crops
Production – Harvest
Each crop has specific harvest indices
Harvest interval varies widely with crop
Most are hand harvested (machine assisted)
Immediate cooling usually required
Field trimming and/or packing is common

24. Cole Crops
Handling and Storage
Cooled w/ water, ice or room-cooled
Commonly stored at 32 degrees, 98-100% RH
Storage life varies by crop
CA storage effective for some crops
Ethylene causes senescence and injury