Vegetable Brassicas and Related Crucifers

Vegetable brassicas crops include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and Brussel sprouts. This is an update of this popular title in the Crop Production Science in Horticulture series, originally published in 2006.

The Brassica genus contains diverse and economically important species and crops, for example, Brassica oleracea including cauliflower to kohlrabi, B.rapa including pak choi to mizuna, and aquatic crucifers such as watercress. These provide humankind with huge diversities of foods, promoting health and well-being.This substantially expanded second edition reflects the significant advances in knowledge of plant breeding and crop production which have occurred since publication of the original book in 2006. Embracing new Brassicaceae research and concepts of sustainable and automated crop production, topics include:Brassica evolution and transcontinental spread as the basis for crop breedingGene-editing, rapid sequencing, genetic markers and linkage mapping to enable efficient plant breedingSeed development, F1 cultivars and rapid maturing crops for profitable croppingEnvironmental impacts on pests, pathogens, crop reliability and qualitySoil health and fertility as agronomic principlesEnvironmental sustainability, biocontrol and integrated pest managementVegetable brassicas as nutrient-rich foods for optimal health benefitsAn invaluable resource for all those involved in Brassica production, this is essential reading for researchers and students in horticulture and plant science, growers, producers, consultants and industry advisors.