Adaptability of exotic crucifers in Indian agro-environments: A comparative study in Hyderabad and Coimbatore

Abstract

The Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family comprises many cultivated plants; however, only cabbage and cauliflower are extensively cultivated in India. Numerous crops from this family remain exotic and uncommercialized within the country despite their successful cultivation in other regions. This study evaluates the adaptability of four exotic cole crops; red cabbage, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, and pakchoi grown under polyhouse and open-field conditions in Telangana (Hyderabad) and Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore) to assess their performance across diverse environmental conditions. The results indicated that head initiation occurred earlier in Hyderabad’s open fields, whereas in Coimbatore, all crops except Chinese cabbage were initiated earlier in polyhouses. In Hyderabad, red cabbage reached head maturity sooner under protected conditions, while the other crops matured faster in open fields. In Coimbatore, red cabbage and broccoli matured faster in polyhouses, while the remaining crops were harvested earlier in open fields. In Hyderabad, broccoli and Chinese cabbage demonstrated superior head attributes in polyhouses, whereas the other crops performed better in open fields. In Coimbatore, all crops showed improved head attributes under polyhouse conditions. In terms of yield, in Hyderabad, red cabbage yielded 7.90 kg and Chinese cabbage 5.15 kg, performing better in open fields, while broccoli and Pakchoi yielded more in polyhouses. In Coimbatore, red cabbage yielded 7.75 kg, broccoli 6.20 kg, Chinese cabbage 6.30 kg, and pakchoi 7.25 kg, all favoring polyhouse cultivation. This study highlights the potential to increase the commercial viability of exotic crops and enhance food diversity and sustainability in Indian agriculture.