Recommended Citation
Smigell, Chris; Strang, John; and Snyder, John, "Spring Black Rot-Resistant Cabbage Cultivar Evaluation" (2019). Midwest Vegetable Trial Reports. Paper 2.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/mwvtr/2
Date of this Version
11-20-2019
Keywords
cabbage variety trial "black rot" resistant "Brassica oleracea" Brassica
Abstract
Fourteen green fresh-market cabbage cultivars were evaluated at the University of Kentucky horticultural farm in Lexington in a replicated trial to evaluate their performance in Central Kentucky. Cultivars were listed in seed catalogs as having black rot (Xanthomonas campestris) resistance or tolerance. Cultivars were grown on bare soil following University of Kentucky recommendations to commercial cabbage growers. Plants were not inoculated with X. campestris, and Badge SC bactericide was applied once early in the season. ‘Lucky Ball’ was the top-performing early-season cultivar, being consistently tender, sweet to slightly sweet, and having little to no sulfur aftertaste. Its 3.6 lb head makes it well-suited to farm market sales. ‘Conqueror’ was also early, medium-sized, and the fourth-highest yielder in the trial. ‘Bronco’ was the best mid-season cultivar, ranking highly for taste, tenderness, juiciness, and little to no sulfur aftertaste. It was one of the highest yielders, and had a medium-sized, round head. ‘Botran’, ‘Bravo’, and ‘Thunderhead’ were other outstanding mid-season cultivars. The late-season cultivars tended to be dry and chewy, and leave a burning sensation after chewing. ‘Superstar’ and ‘Taurus’ were among these, and were among the top yielding cultivars. ‘Superstar’ ranked highly for taste and sugar content. All cultivars in the trial were similar in head firmness, interior and exterior color, and most had round heads, with ‘Bravo’ and ‘Taurus’ having some slightly flattened heads. The growing season was cool and very wet, conducive to black rot development, yet among all cultivars tested, no cabbage heads showed black rot symptoms.