Field production of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala) with different nutrition sources

Abstract

Objective: Quantify the development and production of kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala cultivar “dwarf blue curled”) in field conditions with organic and mineral fertilization. Design / methodology: Kale was sown in a field in a completely rando design with five treatments and five repetitions per treatment (mineral soil fertilization, organic soil fertilization, mineral soil fertilization and foliar fertilization, organic soil fertilization and foliar fertilization and a control). After transplanting (dat) every 15 days in situ, the number of leaves was quantified and the phenological stages of the crop were identified. At 116 dat, with destructive sampling, the number length, fresh weight, resistance to penetration and ascorbic acid content in the kale leaves were quantified. Results: The growth kinetics of the plants in the organic soil and foliar fertilization excelled, compared to the other treatments. In the cuttings, 1.5 to 3 bunches per plant were obtained, the resistance increased in leaves with organic products. Ascorbic acid increased in the leaves with all fertilizations. Limitations implications: limited knowledge in the crop´s management. Conclusions: Kale is a crop that responds to different fertilization sources.  Organic soil and foliar fertilization are alternatives for kale agroecological production, It´s a vegetable scarcely grown in Mexico. The crop can be produced in the Texcoco area.