Brussels sprout is a cold season crop belongs to family of “Brassicaceae”. Sprouts, resembles to mini cabbage (7-8cm diameter) are grown on axil leaves and used for cooking. It got its name from village Brussels of Belgium. It is good for health and it is a rich source of Vitamin and minerals. Along with vegetable it is also used for making salad. Depending upon length of season, it has two types, long season (about 60-120cm tall) and short season (60cm tall).
 
It is having various health benefits like it is a good source of fiber, anti-oxidants and Vitamin C, proteins, iron. It also helps in lowering of cholesterol level. Because of these several health benefits, its gaining popularity in India, especially around hilly areas (that are tourist destination). Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Hilly areas of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu are major brussel sprout growing areas of India.   

It can be grown on variety of soil but gives best results when grown on well drained, rich in organic matter loamy soils. Soils having high potassium level are also gives good yield. pH of soil should be in between 6.5 to 7.5.

Hill Ideal: Plant grow up to height of 55-60cm. Ready for first picking in 80days after transplantation. Sprouts are light green, globular and solid. It gives average yield of 40-65qtl/acre.

Other states variety

Jade cross: Early duration, high yielding hybrid. Suitable for single harvest. Ready for picking in 85days after transplantation. Sprouts are medium size.

Rubine: High yielding variety.

Bubbles: Ready to harvest in 90days after transplantation. Suitable for long harvest.

Other varieties: Abacus, Maximus, Cronus, Diablo,

Dwarf variety: Improved long island, dwarf improved, Early Morn

Tall variety: Red vein, Amager.
 

Plough land thoroughly for four to six times and bring soil to fine tilth. Then levelled soil and prepared bed of 3mx3m or as per convenient size.

Time of sowing
August to September is optimum time for nursery sowing for plain areas. Whereas for hilly areas, sowing is carryout in August as well as in May month.

Transplant five to six week old seedlings in September – October month. 
 
Spacing
For tall varieties, use spacing of 90x90cm and for dwarf varieties, 60cmx60cm or 60cmx45cm.

Sowing Depth
In nursery, sow seeds at depth of 1.5 to 2cm.

Method of sowing
Transplanting of seedlings in main field.

Seed Rate
To prepared nursery for one-acre land, about 200gm of seeds are required.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing, treat seeds with hot water@50^oC for half an hour.

Prepared raised bed for seed sowing. Before sowing, drenched bed with Captan solution@3gm per Litre. After then immediately cover bed with alkathene sheet and remove after 4days. Then sow seeds in lines. After sowing cover seeds with soils. Provide light and frequent watering. 30-35days after sowing, seedlings are ready to transplant in field. 

 

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

At time of land preparation, apply well decomposed cowdung@8-10tonne/acre. Overall, crop required, Nitrogen@80kg/acre, Phosphorus and Potash@40kg/acre. Apply full dose of Phosphorus and Potash, and 1/3rd of Nitrogen before transplantation. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen in two equal splits, i.e. first dose is applied 30-45days after sowing and second dose before formation of sprouts.

Apply first irrigation immediately after transplanting. Depending upon climatic conditions and need, apply irrigation at interval of 15days. Stop irrigation at time of maturity. 

Do pre-plant application of Basalin@0.2Ltr/acre for effective control of weeds. Black polythene mulch is also used for controlling weeds.

Before sprout formation, carry out earthing up operation. 
 

• Pest and their control:
  

Cabbage worms: If infestation is observed, hand picked larvae and destroyed them away from field.

Sucking pest: They suck the juice from the leaves of the plants. If infestation is observed, take spray of Thiamethoxam@ 5gm/15Ltr water for effective control.

• DIsease amd their control:
  

Downy Mildew: If infestation of downy mildew is observed, it can be controlled by combined spraying of (Metalaxyl + Mancozeb)@2gm per litre. If necessary, take second spray with 10 days interval.

Black rot: To protect crop from black rot, do seed treatment with Mercury chloride. Dip seeds in Mercury chloride@1gm/Ltr solution for 30min. After that dry them in shed. If infestation is observed in field take spray of Copper oxychloride @30gm + Streptomycin@1gm/10Ltr for better control.

Right time of harvesting is when, sprout is solid, having uniform and attractive green color and outer leaves are folded. In North, harvesting is carried out in January – February whereas in hilly areas, harvesting is carry in November – March month. Usually three to five harvesting are possible.

In dwarf varieties, de-topping (removal of growing bud after sprout formation) is done. After detopping, sprout develop properly and crop is suitable for mechanical harvesting.     
 

After harvesting, Sprouts are sorted, graded and then packed in baskets. Then they are send to market. Sprout can be stored at 0^oC to 0.5^oC for three to five weeks.

From single harvest, about 20qtl/acre yield is obtained whereas from multiple harvest 40-60qtl/acre yield is obtained.