Advances in Life Sciences
Year : 2016, Volume : 5, Issue : 6
First page : ( 2342) Last page : ( 2347)
Print ISSN : 2278-3849. Online ISSN : 2278-4705.

Evaluation of Tropical Varieties of Cool Season Vegetables in Southern Plains of Kerala for Enhancing Diversification of Vegetable Cultivation

Lekshmi P.R. Geetha*, Aparna B.

College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani

*email: geetha_lekshmy@yahoo.co.in

Online published on 15 December, 2016.

Abstract

Vegetables and fruits are considered as protective foods and play an important role in nutritional security, employment generation and alleviation of hunger. Thrust for sustainable production of vegetables is increasing and there is a need for crop diversification and off season vegetable cultivation that can enhance vegetable production. Cool season vegetable crops viz. cabbage, cauliflower and carrot play an important role in our healthy diet both as cooked and raw in salads. These vegetables are highly sensitive to weather conditions and with the development of tropical varieties that can tolerate higher temperature, their cultivation is made possible innon traditional areas. On farm testing and frontline demonstrations, with farmer participatory approach, were conducted in south Kerala for evaluating the suitability and location specific performance of tropical varieties of some cool season vegetables. The study revealed that the tropical varieties of cauliflower, cabbage and carrot can be profitably cultivated in southern plains of Kerala during November-December and thus cultivation can be extended to non traditional areas of plains for commercial as well as homestead cultivation.

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Keywords

Cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, tropical varieties, plains.

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