THRISSUR: Cabbage and cauliflower are vegetables traditionally grown in the winter season on the Northern plains and in the high altitude areas in the South. But, with the advent of tropical varieties which can form marketable 'heads and curds' even at temperatures as high as 35o C, cultivation of these crops is possible now even on the tropical plains of Kerala. Talking to Express, C Narayanan Kutty, Professor (Hort) at the Mannuthy Agricultural Research Station(ARS), under the Kerala Agricultural University, said that the ARS had initiated a research in 2003- 04 for identifying genotypes of cabbage and cauliflower which are suitable for cultivation on the plains of Kerala.
“The trials conducted in the last 5-6 years have been successful in identifying varieties of these vegetables which are suitable for cultivation in the November-February period in the state. The Basant, NS-60 and Pusa Meghna genotypes of cauliflower and the NS-183, NS-160 and NS-43 genotypes of cabbage gave very good results. On an average, cauliflower curds weighing between 750 gm and 1 kg and cabbage heads of 1 to 1.5 kg could be harvested,” Narayanan Kutty said. He said that the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kerala, had supplied around 14 lakh seedlings of these varieties to farmers in the current season.
“The ARS is now concentrating on identifying new genotypes for cultivation in the state. Around 14 varieties of cabbage and 17 varieties of cauliflower are currently being subjected to trials at the ARS, and a few of them have been found promising”, he said and added that the genotypes which showed good results would be further tested and popularised, so that the farmers would have a wider choice in the coming years. “Simultaneously, trials are also progressing at the ARS for identifying other cool-season vegetables like radish, palak, carrot and beetroot which are suitable for cultivation on the plains of the state, Narayanan Kutty said.
Source: Indian Express, Dated: 11.02.2010
“The trials conducted in the last 5-6 years have been successful in identifying varieties of these vegetables which are suitable for cultivation in the November-February period in the state. The Basant, NS-60 and Pusa Meghna genotypes of cauliflower and the NS-183, NS-160 and NS-43 genotypes of cabbage gave very good results. On an average, cauliflower curds weighing between 750 gm and 1 kg and cabbage heads of 1 to 1.5 kg could be harvested,” Narayanan Kutty said. He said that the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kerala, had supplied around 14 lakh seedlings of these varieties to farmers in the current season.
“The ARS is now concentrating on identifying new genotypes for cultivation in the state. Around 14 varieties of cabbage and 17 varieties of cauliflower are currently being subjected to trials at the ARS, and a few of them have been found promising”, he said and added that the genotypes which showed good results would be further tested and popularised, so that the farmers would have a wider choice in the coming years. “Simultaneously, trials are also progressing at the ARS for identifying other cool-season vegetables like radish, palak, carrot and beetroot which are suitable for cultivation on the plains of the state, Narayanan Kutty said.
Source: Indian Express, Dated: 11.02.2010
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