White Cabbage Cultivars Research Articles

Diptera Pests Occurring on Vegetable Crops in Poland

Abstract In Poland, the share of Diptera in the species composition of the harmful entomofauna occurring on vegetable crops ranges from 20 to 25%. They occur on all vegetables grown in Poland (over 80 species and botanical varieties). Since the systematic registration of pests inhabiting crops in Poland in 1919, over 70 species of flies have been listed as pests of vegetable plants. Species from three families dominate in terms of population and numbers: Anthomyiidae with 12 species (Delia radicum, on early and late cultivars of cruciferous vegetables, mainly broccoli, cauliflower, white cabbage, kohlrabi, and radishes; Delia platura occurs annually on bean and cucumber; Delia antiqua on onion and garlic; and Pegomya hyoscyami on beetroot), Cecidomyiidae with 10 species (two species dominate, Contarinia nasturtii and Dasineura napi, on cruciferous vegetables), and Agromyzidae with 23 species (Liriomyza bryoniae on cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers, and Phytomyza gymnostoma on leeks). Short-term, gradational occurrence of some dominant species was found, including Botanophila gnava (lettuce), Chamaepsila rosae (carrot, parsley), Delia platura (asparagus, bean), Delia radicum (broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, radishes, white cabbage), Phytomyza gymnostoma (leek), Oscinella frit (corn), and Suillia lurida (garlic). However, they did not affect the level of plant production in the following years of cultivation. Apart from phytophagous species, taxa with a different trophic structure are common. These are copro-, necro-, sapro-, and zoophagous species. The most numerous were flies from the Drosophilidae family (Drosophila busckii, Drosophila limbata, Scaptomyza pallida, Fanniidae (Fannia canicularis, Fannia scalaris), Heleomyzidae (Tephrochlamys tarsalis), and Muscidae (Muscina levida, Muscina stabulans, Phaonia trimaculata). Natural enemies of insects play an important role in vegetable agrocenoses. Species belonging to the order of Coleoptera beetles (Carabidae and Staphylinidae), Syrphidae, Tachinidae, and Muscidae, mainly Phaonia trimaculata larvae, play the most important role in reducing the number of Diptera. In addition, the number of phytophages is limited by other organisms, e.g., Diplopoda, Nematoda, Arachnida, and pathogens of viral, bacterial, and fungal origin.

PHYTOCHEMICAL CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF TWO CULTIVARS OF WHITE CABBAGE

The purposeof this study was to evaluate comparatively the phytochemical content, the antioxidant enzymes activities and the antioxidant activity in two cultivars of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba). The content of reducing sugar, ascorbic acid, total phenolic, flavonoids, catalase and peroxidase activity were determined by colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. The results show that studied chemical indices vary depending on the analyzed cultivar. This study recommends introducing the investigated varieties in diet due to the rich content of compounds with antioxidant properties.

Intraspecific plant variation and nonhost herbivores affect parasitoid host location behaviour

Parasitoids need to find their hosts in patchy environments that differ in profitability. To maximize foraging efficiency, parasitoids use volatile information of plants on which their hosts feed. The blend of plant volatiles emitted is affected by genetic variation in plants and by the herbivore species feeding on the plant. How parasitoids deal with variation in plant volatiles induced by host or nonhost herbivores on various plant genotypes in a plant stand is unclear. In a wind tunnel, we examined foraging behaviour of the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata in mixes of white cabbage cultivars with host ( Pieris brassicae ) and nonhost herbivores ( Mamestra brassicae or Delia radicum ). We specifically studied the efficiency of parasitoids in locating a host-infested plant when having to pass three other plants that varied in volatile emission by cultivar and herbivore identity. We show that foraging decisions of C. glomerata are affected by the apparency of volatile cues from upwind host-infested plants. We found that parasitoids flew over the first three plants more often when the last plant was a host-infested attractive cultivar and the first three plants were a less attractive cultivar, regardless of the presence of host or nonhost herbivores. Furthermore, parasitoids spent more time on the first three plants if these were infested with host or nonhost larvae, and this effect was stronger when the first three plants were of the attractive cultivar. Our results suggest that parasitoids may more easily locate host herbivores on plant genotypes with more apparent volatile information. However, host location efficiency is affected by the contrast with other plumes of plant volatiles derived from genotypic variation in plants and induction of volatiles by nonhost herbivores. Apparency of information on upwind patches influences patch residence time and patch choice and is an important component of optimal foraging in parasitoids. • Foraging decisions by Cotesia glomerata are affected by the apparency of information. • Profitability of upwind patches affects foraging decisions on the current patch. • Nonhost herbivores with traits similar to the host reduced host location efficiency. • Established parasitoid cultivar preferences are nuanced in complex plant mixtures.

Modeling of asymmetric division of somatic cell in protoplasts culture of higher plants

The key result of the work is the selection of factors for the cultivation of protoplasts of higher plants in vitro, which allowed induction of asymmetrical cell division during the first cell cycle phase. Gibberellin has been proved to be one of the main cofactors of asymmetric division of plant cells. The objects of research were plants of the following cultivars aseptically grown in hormone-free MS medium: tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), SR-1 line; Arabidopsis thaliana var. columbia (L.) Heynh; potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), Zarevo cultivar; cultivated white head cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata L.) of the following varieties: Kharkivska zymnia, Ukrainska osin, Yaroslavna, Lika, Lesya, Bilosnizhka, Dithmarscher Früher, Iyunskarannya; rape (Brassica napus L.) of Shpat cultivar; winter radish (Raphanus sativus L.) of Odessa-5 cultivar. In experiments with mesophilic and hypocotyl protoplasts of the above-mentioned plant species it has been proved that short-term osmotic stress within 16–18 hours being combined with subsequent introduction of high doses of gibberellin GK3 (1 mg/L) into the modified liquid nutrient media TM and SW led to the occurrence of pronounced morphological traits of cytodifferentiation already at the initial stages of the development of mitotically active cells in a number of higher plants. Meanwhile, in all analyzed species, there was observed the division of the initial genetically homogeneous population of mitotically active cells into two types of asymmetric division: by the type of division of the mother cell into smaller daughter cells and by the type of the first asymmetric division of the zygotic embryo in planta. In this case, the first type of asymmetric division occurred during unusual cytomorphism of the mother cells: a pronounced heart-shaped form even before the first division, which is inherent in the morphology of somatic plant embryo in vitro at the heart-shaped stage. A particular study of the effect of osmotic stress influencing protoplasts of various cultivars of white cabbage, isolated from hypocotyls of 7–9 day etiolated seedlings, revealed quite a typical consistent pattern: the acquisition and maintenance of the axis of symmetry in growing microcolonies occurred without extra exogenous gibberellin (GK3), which was added to the nutrient medium earlier. While analyzing the effect of growth regulators on the formation of microcolonies with traits of structural organization, the conclusion was made regarding the commonality of the revealed morphogenetic reactions of cells within the culture of protoplasts of higher plants in vitro with similar reactions studied earlier on other plants, both in vitro and in planta. Modeling of asymmetric cell division in protoplast culture in vitro has become possible by carrying out a balanced selection of growth regulators as well as their coordinated application through time along with changes in osmotic pressure of a nutrient medium.

In vitro selection for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans resistance in brassica vegetables

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Fusarium wilt is an issue of concern in economically and nutritionally important Brassica vegetable cultivation. Thus, it deserves measures against the adverse production impact caused by Fusarium wilt.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, development of resistance to <em>F. oxysporum</em> f. sp. <em>conglutinans</em> in six white head cabbage cultivars, by in vitro chemical mutagenesis and selection, through direct and indirect organogenesis was examined. 6 day and 10 day old hypocotyl, shoot tip and calli, from 6 day old hypocotyl explants, were subjected to chemical mutagenesis treatment (DMSO (4% v/v) + EMS (0.3% v/v) for two hours at 28±2°C) were incubated in MS shoot induction medium (MS+ NAA (0.2 mg/l), BAP (3 mg/l), GA3 (0.01 mg/L) and AgNO3 (0.5 mg/l)). Shoots developed from hypocotyl and shoot tip explants (in the MS shoot induction medium and then in MS + NAA (0.2 mg/l), BAP (3 mg/l), GA3 (0.01 mg/l) for shoot development) and calli following mutagenesis treatment were screened for Fusarium resistance subjecting to 15% and 20% <em>Fusarium</em> culture filtrate for 30 and 60 day selection periods for each strength respectively. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Developed plantlets from all six cultivars tested, showed resistance to<em> </em>Fusarium culture filtrate in the in vitro conditions with different survival frequencies ranging between 12.5% to 84.0% from hypocotyl and 0.0% to 86.7% from shoot tip explants among cultivars indicating development of resistance to <em>Fusarium</em> by in vitro chemical mutagenesis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Direct organogenesis, and 10 day old hypocotyl and 6 day old shoot tips are potential explants for successful application of in vitro chemical mutagenesis for Fusarrium resistance development in in cabbage.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Bioactive polyphenolic compounds from white cabbage cultivars

Bioactive polyphenolic compounds from white cabbage cultivars

Bioaktivni spojevi, pigmentni sastav i antioksidacijski kapacitet različitih kultivara kupusa

Abstract The main aim of this research was to determine the amount of bioactive compounds and antioxidants, as well as differences in chemical composition between six cabbage cultivars. Also, the amount of pigment compounds and relationship between chromaticity parameters between selected cabbage cultivars was determined. The significant differences (p≤0.0001) of all analyzed chemical parameters were determined. According to the obtained results of pigment composition, white cabbage cultivars contained the higher amounts of total chlorophylls (average 3.15 mg g-1 fresh weight), while red cabbage cultivars contained the higher amounts of anthocyanins (average 696.08 mg kg-1 fresh weight). Red cabbage cultivars contained the higher amounts of biologically active compounds. Average values of total phenols, total flavonoids, non-flavonoids and vitamin C were as follows: 172.45 mg GAE 100 g-1 fresh weight, 88.88 mg GAE 100 g-1 fresh weight, 83.59 mg GAE 100 g-1 fresh weight and 28.49 mg 100 g-1 fresh weight. Higher antioxidant capacity was determined in red cabbage cultivars. On average, in red cabbage cultivars even 3.9 times higher antioxidant capacity was determined compared to the selected white cabbage cultivars.

Ustalenie optymalnego terminu wykonania zabiegu zwalczania śmietki kapuścianej (Delia radicum L.) na podstawie monitoringu

Summary The research to determine the optimal terms of treatments against cabbage root fly (Delia radicum L.) on early and late cultivars of white cabbage was conducted in the 2012–2013, in Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice and on the farm of agricultural college in Powiercie. The efficacy of treatments applied at different times: 2, 5 and 7 days after exceeding the threshold of harmfulness were compared in the field experiments. The treatment performed five days after exceeding the threshold of harmfulness provided the best result. The developed method will be the basis of integrated brassica crop protection against cabbage root fly.

Influence of fermentation conditions of Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata on the volatile glucosinolate hydrolysis compounds of sauerkrauts

The influence of fermentation conditions on the volatile glucosinolate (GLS) hydrolysis products in two different white cabbage cultivars (Bronco and Megaton) was studied. Natural and induced fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc mesenteroides or a mixed starter culture of both microorganisms were performed. Cabbage cv. Bronco was fermented at a concentration of 0.5% and 1.5% NaCl while cv. Megaton was fermented only at 0.5% NaCl. Four commercial sauerkrauts were also analysed in order to compare with the experimental products. No volatile GLS hydrolysis products were detected in raw cabbages. Fermentation caused the appearance of iberin (IB), iberin nitrile (IBN), allyl cyanide (AC), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and sulforaphane (SFN) in experimental sauerkrauts, while only IB, IBN and SFN were detected in the commercial ones. Megaton sauerkrauts presented higher volatile GLS derivative content than those from cv. Bronco. The content of these compounds was affected by the starter culture and the salt concentration and it was in the range of those reported as having beneficial effect. Hence, sauerkraut can be considered as a health-promoting food and its intake is highly advised for disease prevention.

Screening resistance level of Brassicaceae plants to cabbage cyst nematode, Heterodera cruciferae Franklin, 1945 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae)

Lahana kist nematodu, Samsun’un lahana yetistirilen alanlarindaki en yaygin zararlilardan biri olmasina ragmen lahana cesitlerinin dayanikliligi ile ilgili bir bilgi mevcut degildir. Bu nedenle, lahana cesitlerinin Heterodera cruciferae Franklin, 1945 (Tylenchida: Heteroderidae)’ye dayaniklilik seviyelerinin degerlendirilmesi ile islah programlarinda dayaniklilik kaynagi olarak kullanilabilme potansiyelinin belirlenmesi amaclanmistir. Otuz lahana genotipi kontrollu seralarda testlenmistir. Degerlendirilen genotipler arasindan 3’u hassas, 11’i kismen hassas, 9’u dayanikli ve 7’si yuksek oranda dayanikli olarak tespit edilmistir. Dayanikliligin en yuksek oldugu beyaz bas lahana cesitlerinin 7 tanesi yuksek dayanikli, 5 tanesi ise dayanikli olarak bulunmustur. Yaprak lahanalarin % 40’i dayanikli, % 60’i ise kismen hassas iken, Cin lahanasi ve Bruksel lahanasi kismen hassas olarak belirlenmistir

Effects of soil organisms on aboveground multitrophic interactions are consistent between plant genotypes mediating the interaction

Belowground communities can affect interactions between plants and aboveground insect communities. Such belowground–aboveground interactions are known to depend on the composition of belowground communities, as well as on the plant species that mediates these interactions. However, it is largely unknown whether the effect of belowground communities on aboveground plant–insect interactions also depends on genotypic variation within the plant species that mediates the interaction. To assess whether the outcome of belowground–aboveground interactions can be affected by plant genotype, we selected two white cabbage cultivars [Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (Brassicaceae)]. From previous studies, it is known that these cultivars differ in their chemistry and belowground and aboveground multitrophic interactions. Belowground, we inoculated soils of the cultivars with either nematodes or microorganisms and included a sterilized soil as a control treatment. Aboveground, we quantified aphid [Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)] population development and parasitoid [Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)] fitness parameters. The cultivar that sustained highest aphid numbers also had the best parasitoid performance. Soil treatment affected aphid population sizes: microorganisms increased aphid population growth. Soil treatments did not affect parasitoid performance. Cultivars differed in their amino acid concentration, leaf relative growth rate, and root, shoot, and phloem glucosinolate composition but showed similar responses of these traits to soil treatments. Consistent with this observation, no interactions were found between cultivar and soil treatment for aphid population growth or parasitoid performance. Overall, the aboveground community was more affected by cultivar, which was associated with glucosinolate profiles, than by soil community.

Prey-mediated effects of glucosinolates on aphid predators

1. Plant resistance against herbivores can act directly (e.g. by producing toxins) and indirectly (e.g. by attracting natural enemies of herbivores). If plant secondary metabolites that cause direct resistance against herbivores, such as glucosinolates, negatively influence natural enemies, this may result in a conflict between direct and indirect plant resistance. 2. Our objectives were (i) to test herbivore-mediated effects of glucosinolates on the performance of two generalist predators, the marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and the common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) and (ii) to test whether intraspecific plant variation affects predator performance. 3. Predators were fed either Brevicoryne brassicae, a glucosinolate-sequestering specialist aphid that contains aphid-specific myrosinases, or Myzus persicae, a non-sequestering generalist aphid that excretes glucosinolates in the honeydew, reared on four different white cabbage cultivars. Predator performance and glucosinolate concentrations and profiles in B. brassicae and host-plant phloem were measured, a novel approach as previous studies often measured glucosinolate concentrations only in total leaf material. 4. Interestingly, the specialist aphid B. brassicae selectively sequestered glucosinolates from its host plant. The performance of predators fed this aphid species was lower than when fed M. persicae. When fed B. brassicae reared on different cultivars, differences in predator performance matched differences in glucosinolate profiles among the aphids. 5. We show that not only the prey species, but also the plant cultivar can have an effect on the performance of predators. Our results suggest that in the tritrophic system tested, there might be a conflict between direct and indirect plant resistance.

Physiological response of plants and cadmium accumulation in heads of two cultivars of white cabbage

Plants of the Brassicaceae family are considered useful for phytoremediation owing to their tolerance to high concentrations of heavy metals, which may be hyperaccumulated in the tissues. Cabbage seems to be a useful phytoextractor because of the high biomass concentrated in the head and cabbage cultivation technologies which ensure high yield. In a pot experiment, the response of plantlets of two cabbage cultivars: Ditmarska Najwczeœniejsza (DN) and Kamienna G3owa (KG) to 10 and 40 mg Cd kg–1 DM of soil (Cd10 and Cd40, respectively) was studied. In addition, the content of Cd in the heads after the growing season was assayed. It was established that the Cd-induced stress was temporary and did not prevent head formation by cabbage plants. Higher leaf membrane leakiness and lower chlorophyll content, which were noticed during the 3rd week of vegetation, disappeared by the 8th week. Cd stimulated production of glucosinolates by plants. The

RED CABBAGE, A VEGETABLE RICH IN HEALTH-RELATED GLUCOSINOLATES

The glucosinolates and their breakdown products are responsible for much of the flavour of Brassica vegetables and condiments. Specific glucosinolates have long been known to exert antinutritional effects in animal feedstuffs, but there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that glucosinolates like glucoraphanin, glucobrassicin, glucoiberin and gluconasturtiin also function as anticarcinogens in human foods. To study the variation in glucosinolate profile in cabbage, twenty-one varieties of red cabbage and six varieties of white cabbage were analysed. The varieties originated from the Netherlands, France, Japan, USA and Scandinavia. Intact individual glucosinolates were determined by ion-pair-HPLC-MS/DAD. Red cabbage contained significantly more glucoraphanin and gluconasturtiin than white cabbage, whereas white cabbage contained significantly higher concentrations of glucioberin. There were no significant differences between red and white cabbage in the content of glucobrassicin. For all of the health related glucosinolates there was a large variation between both red and white cabbage and between the different cultivars of red and white cabbage.

Effect of Storage Period on Biogenic Amine Content in Sauerkraut

Effect of Storage Period on Biogenic Amine Content in Sauerkraut Effect of storage period on biogenic amine content in sauerkraut produced from white head cabbage during spontaneous fermentation was investigated. Three cultivars of white head cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L. f. alba) of different harvest time, namely: Tekila F1, Agressor F1, and Tolerator F1 were used in process of sauerkraut production. Fresh cabbage before the fermentation and sauerkraut during its 90 day storage period were analyzed for polyamine and monoamine content. It was found that fresh cabbage contained only two polyamines: putrescine (<2 μg·g-1) and spermidine (<10 μg·g-1). Depending on storage period and year of experiment putrescine, spermidine, spermine, cadaverine, tryptamine and histamine were found in sauerkraut. Contents of particular amines in investigated sauerkraut are within the low range of given values by other authors. The results of the study showed that the biogenic amine content of fresh white cabbage and fermented product - sauerkraut - should not represent a risk for consumers.

Intra-specific Differences in Root and Shoot Glucosinolate Profiles among White Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) Cultivars

Shoot glucosinolate profiles of Brassicaceae are known to vary within species, across environmental conditions, and between developmental stages. Here we study whether root profiles follow the intra-specific, environmental, and developmental variation observed for aerial parts in white cabbage cultivars. We also assess whether greenhouse studies can be used to predict shoot and root glucosinolate concentrations and profiles in the field. Root glucosinolate profiles showed significant intra-specific variation; however, this variation was unrelated to that in shoot profiles. One of the strongest determinants of the diversity in the root profiles was 2-phenylethyl glucosinolate (gluconasturtiin). Root profiles were generally comparable between greenhouse studies and field trials, whereas shoot profiles were highly plastic. We conclude that among white cabbage cultivars, shoot glucosinolate profiles are not indicative of root profiles. We further conclude that greenhouse assessments of root glucosinolates can be reliable predictors of root glucosinolate profiles in the field due to their low plasticity.

Genotypic differences in nitrogen efficiency of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.)

In vegetable production, N balance surpluses are especially high which increases the risk of environmental pollution. The cultivation of N-efficient cultivars may contribute to alleviate the problem. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with eight white cabbage cultivars of three different maturity groups at two N fertilization levels. Genotypes differed both in N efficiency (head fresh weight at low N supply) and in yield at high N supply. These differences were not related to N uptake but to N utilization efficiency. At low N supply, harvest index was the main determining factor for genotypic yield differences. For earlier maturing cultivars a slower leaf emergence was responsible for the low harvest index. The response of the cultivars to low N supply was dependent on the weather conditions, particularly temperature, (highly significant year × cultivar × N supply interaction) at early growing stages. This suggests that breeding of cultivars with generally low-temperature tolerance could contribute to enhancing N utilization. Especially at high N supply, a high N harvest index was important for yield formation due to its effect on head water accumulation. For late cultivars, a high N retranslocation from leaves to the heads was related to yield both at low and high N supply. The study suggests that breeding of N-efficient cultivars may reduce N release to the environment by reducing the necessary N input and reducing the N content remaining in the crop residues.

Evaluation of the infectivity of selected turnip mosaic virus isolates towards white cabbage cultivars

Abstract Experiments were carried out to evaluate the reaction of cabbage cultivars to mechanical inoculation with selected isolates of the turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). Simultaneously we aimed for the assessment of TuMV pathogenicity towards cultivars chosen to be transformed in order to obtain the resistance trait. The TuMV-CAR37A and TuMV-CAR39 isolates from horseradish proved to be infective towards ‘Amager’ and ‘Langedijker’ B. oleracea subsp. capitata f. alba. The course of symptom expression was assessed and the results of virus detection in symptomless leaves, using DAS-ELISA, were documented. Both tested cultivars showed a similar level of susceptibility. TuMV-CAR37A and TuMV-CAR39 can be useful in the selection of cabbage lines with resistance to the turnip mosaic virus.

Dietary Fibre Content and its Fractional Composition in Cabbage as Affected by Cultivar Earliness and Sauerkraut Storage Period

Dietary Fibre Content and its Fractional Composition in Cabbage as Affected by Cultivar Earliness and Sauerkraut Storage Period The aim of the study was to determine the dietary fibre content and its fractional composition in white head cabbage cultivars of different maturity earliness and also in fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) after several months of storage, as well as the level of fibre and its composition in sauerkraut in relation to the method of fermentation. It was found that there were significant differences in fibre content and its fractions composition among the white cabbage cultivars studied. The early cultivar Tekila F1, had a lower total fibre content and smaller cellulose and pectin fractions than the later-maturing cultivars, Tolerator F1 and Agresor F1. The fermented cabbage, as compared with the raw material, contained a significantly larger cellulose fraction, a significantly reduced pectin fraction, slightly reduced amounts of hemicelluloses, and a similar amount of lignin. There was no obvious effect of inoculating cabbage with starter cultures containing strains of Lactobacillus plantarum on the level of fibre and its fractions in the resulting sauerkraut in comparison with the traditionally fermented cabbage. Water-absorbing capacity of cabbage fibre depended on the cultivar, the length of sauerkraut storage period and fermentation method. The fibre of the early cabbage variety had a significantly lower water-binding capacity than the fibre of the later-maturing cultivars. Rehydration capacity of dried sauerkraut increased for up to 30 days from the end of fermentation, with longer storage period having no longer any effect on the levels of water absorption. Water-holding capacity of the fibre in the sauerkraut produced with the addition of a starter culture was lower than that of the fibre of the traditionally fermented cabbage over the entire storage period of the fermented sauerkraut samples.

AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF CABBAGE CULTIVARS FOR SAUERKRAUT PRODUCTION

To identify white cabbage cultivars of suitable agronomic and physical traits for sauerkraut production, 7 domestic varieties and populations as well as 16 imported hybrid cultivars (cvs) were tested in 2001 and 2002 at the family farm. Field trials were laid out according to the randomized block scheme with four replications (plot area 10.4 m2, spacing 0.65 m × 0.4 m). A significant share of undeveloped plants (31 to 56%) was recorded in domestic varieties. Cultivars ‘ Gideon’ , ‘ Cassandra’ , ‘ Fieldwinner’ , ‘ Ramada’ , ‘ Cecile’ , ‘ Krautman’ , ‘ Krautkaiser’ , ‘ Atria’ and ‘ Azan’ stood out with statistically comparable yields (46.4 to 74.7 t/ha). Relatively uniform individual head weight (coefficient of variation less than 25%) was recorded for ‘ Arena’ , ‘ Atria’ , ‘ Krautman’ , ‘ Metis’ and ‘ Ultor’ . Domestic varieties have generally flatter heads than hybrid cultivars (head diameter-to-height ratio 1.25 to 1.55), but they also have a larger relative inner stem height (over 50%). Share of dry matter ranged from 6.39 to 9.96%, soluble solids (°Bx) from 4.0 to 7.0%, while the share of NaCl amounted to 0.10 to 0.17%. Total acidity ranged from 0.12 to 0.27%, and pH-values from 6.22 to 6.70. Considering the agronomic, physical and chemical traits of the raw material, the sensory attributes of the final product – sauerkraut, and also producer and consumer requirements, besides the leading domestic variety ‘ Varaždinski’ , ‘ Field winner’ and ‘ Krautman’ were selected for the main pickling season, ‘ Metis’ and ‘ Ultor’ for early pickling, and ‘ Arena’ and ‘ Atria’ for late pickling.