Introduction

Cole crop are mainly grown in cold weather during winter season in

India. Cole crops are grown by transplanting seedlings grown in

nurseries.

Major Cole crop vegetables are :

1. Cabbage

2. Cauliflower

3. Knol-khol

4. Broccoli

5. Brussel’s sprout

Some Cole Vegetables

Cole Vegetables

Broccoli Brussels sprout Cabbage

Cauliflower Collard greens Knol-khol

Cabbage: Nursery Management

Cabbage seeds are sown on seed beds and 4-6 weeks old seedlings

are transplanted into field. Production of seedlings for early plantation

requires protective structures while mid or late plantation do not.

Soil: Nursery soil should be in good tilth, free from diseases, pest and

weed. The seed beds are disinfected by drenching or sterilization.

Seed Rate: 200-500 g seed /ha. 1 g seeds= 100 seeds .

Nursery Area: 200-300 sq m for one ha plantation.

Sowing: Seed should be sow in rows at 1.5-2.0 cm depth.

Nutrients: FYM @ 500 kg, nitrogen @1-2 kg, phosphorus @ 2- 3

kg and potash 6- 8 kg applied for 300 square meter nursery area.

Irrigation: Optimum irrigation helps rapid and effective germination.

Mulching: Mulching of seed beds with straw or polythene or gunny

bags would help to retain moisture, prevent growth of weeds and

avoid washing away of seed with water. Mulching material should

be removed just before the emergence of the seedlings.

Optimum Temperatures: 15-200C.

Cabbage: Nursery Management

Cabbage:

A. Certified Seeds

B. Nursery Grown Seedlings

C. Healthy Plants

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is grown from seed. Nursery bed preparation and

raising of seedling depend on climatic factor.

Sowing Time and Seed Rate:

Seed Rate : 600gm/ha. 1 gram = 170 seeds

Seed Treatment: Soaking of seeds in water for 4-5 hours

improves germination.

Locality Type of Variety Time of sowing

Hilly Area Early April

Plains Mid Middle of June

Plains Late Middle of September

Cauliflower: Nursery Management

Cauliflower: Nursery Management

Raising Seedling: Seedling are raised on formalin sterilized raised

beds of size 120 cm long X 60 cm wide X15 cm height. Seed are thinly

sown 1.5 to 2 cm deep in lines with 5-7 cm apart. Seedlings are ready

for transplanting in 3-4 weeks. Seed beds are mulched with dry leaves

and removed after germination.

Seed Treatment: Seeds dipped in HgCl2 1 gm/lit/kg seeds for control

soft rot and black rot diseases.

A. Certified Seeds B. Nursery grown Seedlings C. Healthy Cauliflower

Brussels Sprouts Nursery Management

Brussels Sprouts are propagated by seed sown in nursery beds.

Season of Sowing:

Early : August to September

Late : November to January

Spacing : 5X5 cm

Seed Rate : 300-400 gram. (1 gram = 100 seeds)

• Nursery seedlings are grown similar to other Cole crops.

Brussels Sprouts

Knol-khol: Nursery Management

Knol-khol is propagated by seed on nursery beds. 5-6 weeks old

seedling are transplanted to main field. Nursery management is

similar to other Cole crops

Season of Sowing:

Early: March-April in Northern Hills

Late: September - October in North India

Seed rate: 2.20 to 2.80 kg/ha. Knol-Khol

Broccoli Nursery Management

Broccoli seeds are sown or dibbled on seed bed. Nursery

management practices are similar to other Cole crops

Seed Rate: 500 gram /ha

Sowing time: October to November

Sprouting Broccoli