VRKALE-1: a tropical kale, first of its kind in the world
BK Singh*, Bijendra Singh and PM Singh
ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable
Research (ICAR-IIVR), Shahanshahpur-221305, Varanasi, UP, India
*E-mail: bksinghkushinagar@yahoo.co.in
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2017, 64(2): 437-440, DOI: 10.1007/s10722-016-0477-x
Abstract
Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. virdis L.), a very
versatile leafy vegetable, is typically a temperate cole crop and is an excellent source
of health benefiting phyto-nutrients. A unique tropical kale genotype, first of
its kind in the world, has been identified at ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh,
India. Christened as ‘VRKALE-1’, it bolts and flowers under North Indian
plain conditions (11.8-23.5 °C temperature) and doesn’t require vernalization
(low temperature <7 °C for 6-8 weeks). This is a smooth leafed kale (subvar. plana Peterm.) having soft, young, tender
and crispy leaves, measuring 22-30 cm in length, are ready for first picking in 23-28
days after transplanting and thereafter at weekly interval. A single plant
produces 100-125 leaves in 9-12 pickings weighing 1.5-1.8 kg leaf biomass and
the leaf yield potential is very high (55-60 t/ha). It bears flowering stalk after 110-120 days of transplanting, having
racemose type of inflorescence. Like tropical
cauliflower which evolved in India; it is expected that tropical kale will
certainly play a pivotal role in expanding the adoption, popularity and genetic
base of kale in future, particularly in hitherto unexploited areas.
Key words: Brassica oleracea var. virdis; Kale; Tropical cole crops; Nutrient; Vernalization.
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