Cabbage Sprouts Research Articles

OCCURRENCE OF COTESIA RUBECULA (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE) IN QUEBEC, 30 YEARS AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION IN NORTH AMERICA

During a study on the parasitoids of the imported cabbageworm, Artogeia rapae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), undertaken in 1993 and 1994, we recovered Cotesia rubecula (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for the first time in Quebec, Canada. Samples were taken from pesticide-free plots of cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts located at Ste-Clotilde (45°09′N, 73°41′W) and L'Acadie, Quebec (45°18′N, 73°21′W), as described by Godin and Boivin (1998). In addition, survival of diapausing C. rubecula was evaluated after a 5-month incubation at 4°C (Godin 1997). Both A. rapae and C. rubecula are introduced species and originate most likely from Europe (Richards 1940). Artogeia rapae was discovered in 1860 in Quebec (Harcourt 1963), and C. rubecula was first reported in 1963 in British Columbia (Wilkinson 1966).

Carotenoid, Tocopherol, and Ascorbate Variability in Cruciferous Vegetables

Antioxidants have been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer. Recent studies indicate that cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of these antioxidants. We assayed the edible portions of 52 broccoli and 13 cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts genotypes to determine variability of α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and ascorbate within and between varieties of Brassica oleracea. Emphasis was placed on broccoli due to its economic importance and consumer preference. Samples of each genotype in replicated trials were harvested at fresh-market stage, frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen, and placed in –80 °C. HPLC with an amine column was used to measure ascorbate in fresh, frozen samples. Tissue for carotenoid and tocopherol analysis was freeze-dried prior to extraction. Carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations were simultaneously measured using a reverse-phase HPLC system developed in our laboratory. Results indicate that there is substantial variability both within and between varieties. Kale had the highest levels of these compounds, followed by broccoli and Brussels Sprouts with intermediate levels, then by cabbage and cauliflower which were relatively poor sources. Based on dry weight, broccoli heads ranged (in mg/g) from 0–2.9, 23–94, 24–222, and 2-–5 for α-carotene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol, respectively. The range of ascorbate was 54–120 mg/100 g fresh weight. These results contradict the general perception that all broccoli lines are equally beneficial in potential disease prevention. The information gained from this study can be used to help consumers select foods that promote a healthy lifestyle and in breeding programs to develop new germplasm that will enhance the antioxidant potential of our food supply.

Changes in Seed Reserves and Cell Wall Composition of Component Organs During Germination of Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea) Seeds

Seeds of cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata cv. Golden Acre Primo) were germinated and grown in darkness at 25°C. The seedlings were harvested at 24 h intervals for 7 days and analysed either as intact whole seedlings (minus seed coat which became detatched within 48 h) or after dissection into cotyledons (including plumule), hypocotyls and roots. Intact whole seedlings and excised organs were analysed for fresh weight, dry weight, lipid content, protein content, insoluble and soluble carbohydrate. Hypocotyl and root lengths were also recorded. The cotyledons were rich in food reserves consisting of protein, lipid and possibly some water-soluble carbohydrate. They exhibited little change in fresh weight during the growth period, though their dry weight decreased by 50% by day 5. In the cotyledons of fully-imbibed seeds, lipid, protein, soluble carbohydrate and insoluble carbohydrate were present in the ratios 1: 0.33: 0.03 : 0.06. No starch was detected. During the first 2 days post imbibition, protein decreased rapidly, whilst levels of lipid remained constant. However, after day 2, only lipid reserves decreased. These became depleted by day 5 after which protein was again mobilised. Soluble sugar levels decreased by over 60% during the growth period whilst levels of insoluble (cell wall) carbohydrate showed a slight increase. Arabinose, the most abundant sugar residue in the cell walls of imbibed cotyledons, decreased by over 70% by day 7. This was accompanied by a concomitant increase in the levels of glucose and uronic acid residues, indicating cell wall turnover. Whilst radicle emergence preceded hypocotyl elongation, the hypocotyl quickly became the dominant growing organ, exhibiting much greater increases in fresh weight, dry weight, protein, lipid and carbohydrate (soluble and insoluble). During hypocotyl elongation the level of cell wall arabinose (the most abundant cell wall sugar in 1-day-old hypocotyls) decreased relative to the other component sugar residues. It is likely that this was due not to metabolism of arabinose-containing polysaccharides (as in the cotyledons) but to the deposition of primary cell wall polysaccharides relatively poor in arabinose during cell extension. No such changes were observed in the cell walls of growing roots.

PREDICTION DES BESOINS EN ENGRAIS N, P et K DES LEGUMES CULTIVES EN SOL MINERAL: LES CHOUX

The objective of this study was to verify and improve the accuracy of fertilizer recommendations for growing cole crops on mineral soils. To achieve this end, 21 field trials were conducted on 12 soils during 1978–1981; of these trials, 13 were performed with late cabbage and Brussels sprouts and eight early cabbage and brocoli. The test crops were fertilized at four rates of N, P and K, and yield responses were related to soil test values. The Cate-Nelson iteration method was used to partition soils into three different classes according to their yield response to fertilization. Furthermore, polynomial and Mitscherlich equations were fitted to yield versus soil K and P data. These procedures suggested that fertilizer recommendations would be more precise by classifying these crops into early- and late-maturing groups. Accordingly, the recommended fertilization rates for soils containing a deficient or medium P supply were 70 and 80 kg P/ha for early and late crops, respectively. A clear yield response by early cabbage to K fertilization was indicated for soils containing a medium K supply; on these soils maximum yields would be achieved with an application of about 180 kg K/ha. On the other hand late cabbage and Brussels sprouts apparently only needed about 120 kg K/ha to achieve maximum yields on the same class of soils. While an increase in yields attributable to K fertilization is unlikely on soils containing a low and high K supply, a rate of 120 kg K/ha is nonetheless recommended to ensure maximum yield and maintain soil fertility levels. As regards N-fertilization, maximum yields early and late crop were produced with 160 and 180 kg N/ha, respectively. Key words: Fertilizer, N, P, K, vegetables, cabbages

Diamondback Moth and Cabbage Looper Control on Cabbage and Brussels Sprouts, 1978

Abstract ‘Roundup’ cabbage and ‘Jade Cross’ brussels sprouts were transplanted Jul 12’78 on the Robbins Farm near Geneva, NY. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized block design with 15-ft between each replication. Plots consisted of two 50-ft rows, 36-inches wide, with a 16-inch plant spacing. Two buffer rows of sweet corn separated each treatment. A 2-row, tractor-mounted boom operating at 60 psi, delivering 35 gal H2O/A and having 3 nozzles per row, was used to spray each treatment on a weekly schedule. Effectiveness of treatment was determined by counting diamondback and cabbage looper larvae on 3 plants per replication. Larvae counts were made 2-4days after application. Diamondback infestation was unusually high while cabbage looper infestation was moderate.

Effect of diet on the hepatotoxicity of polybrominated biphenyls (FireMaster PB-6).

The consumption of diets formulated with Cruciferae vegetables, e.g., cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts, has been shown to result in a stimulation of the intestinal and hepatic microsomal enzyme systems in rats. This study was designed to determine if this increase in intestinal and hepatic microsomal enzyme activity affected the hepatic response to polybrominated biphenyls (PBB). After three weeks of consuming either a semipurified or 25% cauliflower leaf-supplemented diet (CLD), male Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained for an additional 20 days on their respective diets containing either 0, 1, or 50 ppm PBB. A significant decrease in body weights, but not feed efficiency, was observed over all levels of PBB in animals consuming CLD compared to semipurified diets; consumption of up to 50 ppm of PBB had no effect on body weights with either diet. Relative liver weights (RLW), hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), N- and O-demethylase, as well as intestinal AHH were all increased in CLD-consuming animals before the addition of PBB. While PBB supplementation alone resulted in increased RLW, hepatic AHH, N- and O-demethylase, microsomal protein, and cytochrome P-450, rats consuming cauliflower diets + PBB had even higher RLW and N- and O-demethylase activity and microsomal protein concentrations. Hepatic PBB residue and total hepatic lipids were significantly reduced in CLD groups receiving 50 ppm PBB. These results suggest that the antitoxic effects of certain vegetables are related to more rapid metabolism and excretion of xenobiotic compounds.

Meiotic Behaviour in the Brassiceae

SUMMARYAt meiosis in Brassica oleracea (cabbage and Brussels sprout), B. pekinensis and the related Sinapis arvensis and Eruca sativa, multivalents were common and numerous secondary associations of bivalents were detectable in all species from diplotene into metaphase. Quadrivalent formation in cabbage and Brussels sprouts usually involved an increase in chiasma frequency per cell and there is evidence that the potential quadrivalent frequency is limited, at least partly, by limited chiasma formation. Secondary associations are thought to represent lapsed multivalents. Extensive duplication of chromosomes (or of large chromosome segments), is therefore implied, and polysomic rather than diploid breeding behaviour should be expected for many gene loci.

The Effects of Different Primary Cultivations and Manurial Treatments on the Yield of Early Peas, Spring Cabbage, Leeks and Brussels Sprouts

The effects of different primary cultivations and manurial treatments on the yields of early peas, spring cabbage, leeks and Brussels sprouts grown in rotation on a sandy loam soil are described. T...