Evaluation of Cultivars of Brussels Sprouts for Parameters Associated with Their Marketability As Stalks

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea gemmifera) because of their value in diets are getting increased attention from consumers, but production is labor intensive and plagued by crop diseases. Selling Brussels sprouts on the stalk reduces labor compared to selling loose buds. The objective of this study was to evaluate cultivars of Brussels sprouts for parameters associated with marketability as stalks.  The marketable stalk (MS) was not to exceed 56 cm (22”) and was defined as the section with dense, uniform, firm, and large (at least 1” of diameter) buds. We evaluated the stalks for the bud number, yield, bud density, and disease damage. The effect of mechanical topping by removing the apical bud when the lowest buds were about 2.5-cm diameter was studied as a factor affecting yield and bud size. Seven cultivars (Vancouver, Franklin, Nautica, Diablo, Dimitri, Roodnerf, Oliver) were evaluated with or without topping. Height of MS did not differ among cultivars. Topping reduced the heights of MS with Diablo, Vancouver, and Roodnerf from 50.8, 50.8, 48.3 cm to 33, 38, 28 cm respectively, but had no effect on the other cultivars. Vancouver had the highest yield (780g) and Franklin had the lowest yield (400g). Topping reduced yield in Diablo from 700g to 470g but had no effect on the other cultivars. Number of buds per MS did not vary with cultivars. Topping reduced the number of buds in Roodnerf and Vancouver from 59 to 35 but had no effect on the other cultivars. Density in numbers of buds per height of MS differed among cultivars.  Roodnerf had the highest bud density (1.18 bud/cm), followed by Vancouver, Dimitri, Franklin, and Diablo in a group (1.02), and then by Oliver and Nautica (0.79). Topping reduced the density in all varieties. Oliver and Franklin showed more disease damage than the other cultivars. Topping had no effect on disease damage. Vancouver and Roodnerf followed by Dimitri and Diablo then Oliver showed best results for yield, bud density, and resistance to diseases. Nautica and Franklin showed worst results. In general, topping had a negative effect on the parameters associated with Brussels sprouts marketability as stalks.