In late autumn, when the fields are already empty, and the grass on the pastures has noticeably withered, you can see plantations of juicy and fresh plants. This is a fodder cabbage that is not afraid of frost. When switching to a winter diet, the plant allows livestock breeders to provide their wards with green fodder for as long as possible. Cows, goats, rabbits and other livestock in the barnyard are very fond of kale.
A bit of history
Europe paid attention to a large succulent plant a long time ago. The first mention of it comes across in ancient Greek and Roman literature. From coastal European countries, culture gradually spread around the world. This version of events is based on the fact that many types of wild cabbage are found only on the coasts of Europe, they are not found in Asia.
Fodder cabbage came to Russia around the 18th century. However, not many cultivated it. This culture did not take root in our country for a long time, as people simply did not understand that a small investment of money and labor would pay off many times over with high-quality animal feed. Today, the culture is grown not only in Russia, but also in the fields of Ukraine,Moldova, Azerbaijan, Estonia and so on. Moreover, many varieties have moved across the ocean and grow well in America, Africa, New Zealand and Australia, adapting to local climatic conditions.
General description of culture
Forage cabbage, whose name speaks for itself, is not used in salads. Its leaves are too tough for that. This is a cruciferous plant from the cabbage family, a feature of which is the complete absence of heads. In scientific circles, the species is known as Brassica subspontanea Lizg.
For a two-year cross-pollinated crop, a dense taproot branched root with a thickening in the upper part is characteristic. The plant has an erect thick stalk (stalk), its diameter can reach 5 cm. The stem can be cylindrical or spindle-shaped. Its height is from 35 to 200 cm. Cabbage leaves are lyre-shaped or ovate-elongated. They are large and broadly lanceolate. There are two natural varieties that differ in the degree of curlyness and leaf color:
- Scottish - has corrugated curly leaves of a gray-green color.
- Siberian - less curly, with bluish-green foliage.
In both varieties, the leaf petioles are long at the bottom of the stem and shortened at the top.
Flowering, fruits of fodder cabbage
Forage cabbage blooms in the second year of life. The buds from which flower-bearing shoots will grow are located in the axils of the stem. Flowering shoots are high (up to 160 cm), branched, with a small number of leaves. The inflorescence of fodder cabbage is a weak loose brush. Its length is about 80 cm.
After flowering, a smooth cylindrical pod appears. This is the fruit of the cabbage. Inside are rounded smooth seeds, the color of which varies from bluish-gray to black.
Why grow fodder cabbage?
You should pay attention to fodder cabbage, if only because it allows you to use green animal feed even after autumn frosts. But these are not all useful qualities of culture. Forage cabbage is unique in its nutritional properties. It contains a large amount of mineral s alts and vitamins. If used as silage, the feed will contain almost 18% protein, more than 15% proteins, 3.4% fat and more than 46% nitrogen-free extractive substance.
In 1 kg of leaf mass there is up to 100 mg of vitamin C and more than 42 mg of vitamin A. It also contains phosphorus, calcium and sulfur, which makes fodder cabbage a dietary product for animal husbandry. Animals and poultry eat silage from this crop very well. It smells good, is easy to digest and, thanks to its high levels of protein and carotene, it fills you up quickly.
It is noteworthy that fodder cabbage does not lose its properties even after freezing. Thawed foliage remains elastic and does not lose color and taste. Animals do not refuse thawed green fodder, which reduces the time of winter feeding. In someIn European countries, fodder cabbage leaves are artificially dried and stored as high-protein dry food.
Forage distribution area
Many farmers are wondering how does fodder cabbage behave in different climatic zones? Photos of cultivated fields were obtained both from cold regions (Murmansk, Novosibirsk) and from the southern regions of our country. Depending on the climatic zones and irrigation conditions, the crop yield can vary from 300 to 950 centners of phytomass per 1 hectare. In successful places, the yield reaches 1500 centners of green mass from 1 hectare.
Fundamentals of agricultural technology
The State Register of Russia (2006) includes the Vekha variety and several Dutch hybrids (Redbor and Reflex). Placement of the crop is introduced into the fodder or vegetable crop rotation. Forage cabbage is planted after leguminous and grain crops. As a last resort, after herbs. Sometimes the predecessors are early vegetable crops, the main thing is that their harvest should be harvested no later than June. In this case, in the second half of the summer, the crop manages to form a good harvest. In one place, fodder cabbage is planted every 3-4 years.
Cultivation of fodder cabbage
Plantations for growing crops are established in three ways:
- Seedless method in which kale (seeds) are planted directly in the ground.
- Seedling cultivation, when 30-40-day-old plants are transferred from nurseries to the soil. Seedlings when planting have 4-5 formed leaves.
- Ordinary method, which was developed in the Leningrad region. In this case clean soils or highly effective herbicides are used. Sowing is carried out in an ordinary way, thinning is not performed. Thickened crops affect the formation of the stem crop. The percentage of leaves in the terrestrial phytomass increases.
Seedless way: features
Seedless cultivation starts in early spring. The soil for seeds is prepared, leveled and rolled. Vegetable seeders are used to introduce planting material into the soil. Wide-row sowing is used. Row spacing - up to 70 cm. From 1.5 to 4 kg of seeds are sown per 1 ha. Seeding depth - up to 3 cm.
A few days after sowing, harrowing or breaking the soil crust with hoes is required. When shoots appear, the row spacing is loosened. The latter are processed for the entire growing season up to 4 times. Along with this, nitrogen supplements are carried out. For harvesting, you can use forage harvesters without a chopping apparatus. The harvest is from August to December (depending on the timing of sowing).
Seedling method: features
Seedling method of growing fodder cabbage allows you to increase the yield of green mass. Planting seedlings in the ground is carried out at the same time as sowing seeds. This method prolongs the growth period of plants, leading to higher forage yields.
Seedlings are grown in a cold way (in unheated nurseries). Apply the belt and row method of sowing. When1-2 leaves have formed, young plants are thinned out. At the stage of 2-3 leaves, top dressing is performed. Seedlings enter the field with 4-5 formed leaves.
Seedlings are planted after the end of spring sowing of cereals. The wide-row method is used with row spacing of 70 cm. The distance in the row between plants is up to 40 cm. If the soil is heavy, then seedlings are planted on ridges.
A week after landing, they fill in the places of attacks in the ranks. During the growing season, the crop requires 3-4 inter-row treatments. The first is loosening 8 cm deep, the next - 12-15 cm.
Harvesting begins after the plant stops growing. It is held as needed, in some areas it is extended until December.
The most popular varieties of fodder cabbage
The following varieties of fodder cabbage are grown on an industrial scale in Russia: Brain green Vologda, Brain green Siverskaya, Thousand-headed, Podmoskovnaya, Polyarnaya, Vekha.
In summer cottages, kale is grown not only for food, but also for decorative purposes. Summer residents often choose a leaf curly hybrid Redbor F1. The plant has a palm shape and a beautiful burgundy color of the leaves.
The hybrid Reflex F1 also takes root well in the plots. It can be used not only to decorate the site, but also in salads. The plant has beautiful curly leaves of pale green color.
For small farms, Vekha fodder cabbage remains the main option. It allows you to get maximum yields.green mass without the use of expensive agricultural practices. If the culture is provided with normal care, then a high yield is guaranteed.
