Study of the collection of cabbage as a source material for breeding

Abstract

The results of the study of the collection of cabbage at the Institute of vegetable and melon growing of the National Agrarian Academy of Sciences of Ukraine are presented. In Ukraine, the most widespread varieties are the varieties of the Central European group, which are valuable samples for breeding for yield and for resistance to head cracking. A collection of cabbage source material is needed to create high-yielding varieties and hybrids of different ripening periods, which are characterized by a high yield of marketable products. The collection contains varieties of white cabbage of early and late maturity, varieties of red cabbage, savoy, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kohlrabi. The predominant number of varieties is represented by white cabbage, most of which are varieties of late ripening. It is white cabbage of late ripening varieties that is in greatest demand among the population.

It was found that the marketability of heads of early ripening varieties of cabbage was mainly within the range of 80–90 %, and that of the late ripening period ranged from 90 to 100 %. In terms of yield and weight of marketable head of cabbage, late-ripening cabbage varieties exceeded early-maturing ones by 14 %. Plants of early-ripening varieties are small in size: the diameter of the rosette of leaves is not more than      60 cm. Late-ripening varieties in terms of the diameter of the rosette are medium (60–80 cm) or large (over 80 cm). Among the collection specimens of late white cabbage, the greatest breeding value are specimens of the Amager and Biloruska varieties, as well as the red cabbage varieties of the Langeideiker variety. Among the collection specimens of early white cabbage, specimens of varieties Ditmarska rannya and Gollandska rannya are of the greatest breeding value. Among the presented species diversity of cabbage, any species can be a donor of the duration of the growing season.