BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Botanical name : Brassica oleracea var.gemmifera

Family : Cruciferae

Chromosone No. : 2n = 18

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Brussels sprout has evolved from wild cabbage Brassica oleracea var. oleracea(syn.
sylvestris) in West Mediterranean and cool northern Europe.

INTRODUCTION

Brussels sprout is an important Cole crop in most of the European countries. The
plant looks like a non-heading cabbage with unbranched upright growing stem, which
produces miniature sized cabbage heads(sprout) in the axils of petiolated leaves
progressively from bottom upwards. It got its name from the capital city of Belgium
since it has been grown around Brussels for hundreds of years. It was introduced in
India probably in the second half of twentieth century, and now it is being cultivated
mainly near big cities, places of tourist importance and kitchen gardens.

COMPOSITION AND USES

Nutritionally it has more proteins and carbohydrates content in comparison to other

crops. Except or vitamin a and calcium, it is quite comparable with broccoli for
vitamins and minerals

Nutritive value of Brussels sprout

(Per 100 gm of edible part)

Moisture: 85.5 gm Sodium : 26.0 mg/100 gm

Protein : 4.7 gm Potassium : 477.0 ”
Fat :0.5 gm Copper : .07 ”
Minerals :1.0 Sulphur : 212.0 ”
Fibre : 1.2 Chlorine : 22.0 ”
Carbohydrates: 7.1 Phosphorous: 82.0 ”
Energy: 52 Kcal Iron: 1.8 ”
Calcium: 43 mg Thiamine: 0.12 ”
Carotene: 126 ug Niacin : 1.2 ”
Riboflavin:0.22 mg Magnesium 26.0 ”

USES

Brussels sprouts is grown for fresh consumption as well as for processing( freezing).
The sprouts(auxillary buds, mini cabbage or buttons), with diameter of 1-5 cm and
close spacing along the stem, are cooked and consumed like a cabbage and used for.
These are boiled or cooked as single or mixed with other vegetables as raw the
sprouts are used as salad.

CLIMATIC REQUIREMENTS

Brussels sprouts requires a long cool and moist growing season. The average
temperature range for optimum plant growth and development is 16-20 degree celcius
and it can withstand severe frost and even snow. Sunny days with light frost during
night result in the production of best quality sprouts, which are solid tender and sweet
in taste. Puffy and soft sprouts (undesirable are produced at high temperature above
27 degree celcius. It is a strong biennial plant and does not bolt and flower unless
exposed to chilling temperature( below 10 degree celcius) for 6-8 weeks.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS

Brussels require well drained loam soil rich in organic matter with pH of6.0 and
above(slightly acidic) but it is not as sensitive to high acidity as other crops of cole
group. Sandy loam soil is ideal for getting early crop. High fertile soil results in quick
plant growth and loose sprouts. Like cabbage , it is moderately tolerant to soil salinity
but plants remain dwarf.

CULTIVATED VARIETIES / HYBRID

Size ,shape, compactness and the color intensity of bud , harvest period, and
productivity are important attributes of Brussels sprouts cultivars may be early
maturing. The early maturing cultivars tends to be dwarf and fewer sprouts than the
tall growing late maturing cultivars which are more prone to lodging

HILDS IDEAL
It is a tall variety with plant height of 55-66cm and 45-50 sprouts per plant. The
average diameter of sprout is 7-8 cm each weighing 60-70g. the sprouts are compact
and good flavour.the average yield is 16t/ha. First picking takes place after 115 days
of transplanting followed by 3-4 picking at about 10 days interval.

CAMBRIDGE EARLY NO.1:

An early variety which produces large solid sprouts that covers stem of medium
height.

CAMBRIDGE MAIN CROP NO.3 : produces fine solid sprouts on strong growing
stems. A splendid general purpose variety.

CAMBRIDGE LATE NO. 5: a handsome tall growing variety which produces fine
sprouts from the ground upwards. Although a late sprout can be picked fairly early
when of moderate size but will retain large sprouts late in season.

NURSERY MANAGEMENT

Brussels sprout is propagated by seeds which are sown in raised nursery beds about 5-
6 weeks prior to the date most appropriate for transplanting. Nursery management
practices are similar to those followed in broccoli.

SOWING/PLANTING TIME

Sowing date has a direct effect on harvest date, early sowing promoted an early
harvest, and row covers advanced the sprout harvest of plants sown earliest i.e. 24
march (Gaye and Maurer, 1991) , hence sowing should always be done at right time
to get higher yield from Brussels sprouts. The optimum time for nursery sowing in
the hills upto 1500 m average mean sea level with mild or rare snowfall is early July,
whereas, it is March-April in very high hills experiencing heavy snowfall and early
September in low hills and plains of Northern India.

SEED RATE

The seed size of Brussels sprout is comparable with that of cabbage. Depending
upon the plant vigour and spread of different varieties. 300-400 g seed is required to
raise seedlings sufficient for the planting of one hectare. In direct seeding, the seed
requirement is at least four times higher i.e. 1.2-1.6 kg/ha.
PLANTING METHOD

Like broccoli, the seedlings are transplanted in the evening time either on flat or
raised beds.
Generally, sowing method had no effect on plant growth or yield( Gaye
and Maurer, 1991). Depending upon the variety and length of growing period,
variable spacing are followed. Spacing of 60x45 cm are followed for dwarf varieties,
wider spacing of 75x45 or 75x60 or 90x90 cm are kept for tall varieties especially
where the growing period is relatively longer.

MANURIAL REQUIREMENT

Unlike cabbage, a large number of sprouts (mini cabbage heads) per plant are
produced in leaf axils along the length of the plant stem. Hence, it is necessary that
the plants maintain a good growth for relatively a longer period. Besides 25 t/ha farm
yard manure, it requires nitrogen 200 kg, phosphorous 90 kg and potash 80 kg
(Sharma & Gill 1986). The entire quantity of farm yard manure, phosphorous and
potassium and one third nitrogen fertilizers are added as basal dose, prior to
transplanting. The remaining 2/3 dose is top dressed twice, about 4 weeks after
transplanting and after another four weeks of first top dressing.

IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS

An even moisture supply is needed to ensure continuous and optimum plant growth
for getting higher yield .surface irrigation or repeated spot watering manually are
carried out until the seedlings are established , and thereafter the irrigation is given
depending upon the soil type and prevailing weather condition. In general, Brussels
sprouts fields are irrigated at 7-14 days interval.

INTERCULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

HOEING AND WEEDING

Like other members of cole group Brussels Sprout is a shallow rooted crop. Hence,
deep hoeing and weeding shall prove counter productive. Earthing up within four to
six weeks of transplanting is carried out to provide support to the plants. Weedicides
recommended for cabbage and other cole crops should prove effective in Brussel
sprouts as well.
MULCHING

Mulching is not a common cultural practice in Brussel sprout. However organic

mulches and black polythene prove beneficial.
In conserving moisture and enhancing the organic content of soil. Row covers
increased soil temperatures and advanced seedling development and transplanting
dates compared with uncovered treatments. Leaf weight ratio decreased, specific leaf
area increased, and leaf increased, and leaf area ratio was unaffected by the
application of row covers

HARVESTING

The sprouts become ready for harvest when they are solid and bright green in colour .
Harvesting starts from bottom to upward and continues for several weeks. At least 3-5
picking are done at 7-8 days interval. The harvest period varies according to the agro-
climatic zone. In north Indian plains, sprouts are harvested in January- February ,
whereas in high and very high hills of northern India , the harvesting periods are
November – March and July- September, respectively.

YIELD

The sprouts yield varies according to the variety , care of the crop and the length of
growins season. In India yield of 16t/ha (Sharma and gill,1986) and 218.3g/plant
(bhaotkar,1994) have been reported.

POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT

The harvested sprouts are highly perishable. After grading and washing ,fresh spouts
are packed in cardboard boxes with proper aeration and sent to the market at the
earliest possible . The sprouts keep well for 6-8weeks when stored at 0 c and 95%
relative humidity. The entire plant can also be stored in a cool caller , and sprouts are
removed as per the requirement of the family ,especially in high hills experiencing
heavy snowfall .in mild climate ,the plants are left as such in the field throughout the
winter and sprouts are harvested as they mature.