Characteristics of forage cabbage
Kale is grown for livestock. The Proteor variety is grown in different regions of Russia. We will consider a detailed description of the variety in the article.
Characteristics of forage cabbage
Variety characteristic
Kale is a particularly valuable product in poultry farming. Also used as animal feed.
Features of the variety:
- has a strong stem and long leaves;
- frost-resistant (withstands up to - 14 ° С);
- easy to clean;
- undemanding to climatic and weather conditions;
- tolerates severe drought well.
Proteeor has a high yield level - up to 1 kg of dry matter from 1 m2. Can be planted both outdoors and in a greenhouse.
Description of the bush
Kale is a plant of leaves and a thickened stem. Both parts are used for feed.
Proteor is a biennial plant. Usually reaches a height of 100-110 cm, which is why it belongs to tall vegetable crops. In the first year, the stem has a cylindrical shape, in the second - fusiform. Branches form on it if the cabbage grows in moist soil.
The leaves reach a length of 50 cm, width - 30-40 cm. The leaf blade has a light waxy coating. Petioles from 15 to 40 cm.
In the second year of Protheor's germination, new shoots appear on the stem. Flowers are formed on them, up to 5 cm in diameter.
Composition
Chemical composition and nutritional value:
- has lacticidal properties;
- contains 12-15% solids;
- sugar capacity - 4-7%;
- the presence of 60-75% ascorbic acid, which improves the digestion of the animal;
- has carotene, vitamin B, and other mineral components;
- contains up to 4% protein;
- eat up to 2-3% fiber.
Nutritionally equal to oatmeal, but much more nutritious than beets or carrots. This is very important for the livestock that produces milk. Cows need to be fed at least 15 kg of forage cabbage per day. This will favorably affect the formation of milk, speed up this process. The quality of the dairy product will also improve.
The fruits can be stored in a cold room without severe temperature restrictions. Cellars and basements are perfect for this.
Care
Kale is not demanding to care for. It is enough to adhere to the basic rules of planting and growing in order to get a quality variety and excellent yield.
Seed selection
The normal weight of 1000 seeds is 3-5 g. After purchase, they need to be checked for quality. For this, the seeds are immersed in water heated to 50 ° C. They wait 7-10 minutes, after which they look: if the seeds have sunk to the bottom of the container, they are suitable for planting. If they burst into flames, they should be thrown away. they are empty and will not yield any harvest.
Preparing for landing
The soil needs to be prepared for planting
It is best to prepare the seeds and soil before planting. They are treated with a manganese solution. Boric acid can be added to it.
For seed treatment, take 5 g of potassium permanganate and 2 g of boric acid. They are bred in 10 liters of warm, settled water. Poured into a wide container, where the seeds are also placed.They should be there for a maximum of 15 minutes, after which they are washed and dried.
For watering, take 15 g of manganese and 5 g of boric acid. Diluted in a bucket of water. Consumption for 1 m2 - 2 liters of diluted solution. The dilution ratio is 1 to 2.
Landing
Protheor forage cabbage is planted from mid-April to early July. The transplant is carried out when at least 5 true leaves appear on the seedlings.
- For planting, choose a place where there is no shade and there is constant access to sunlight. It is important that the groundwater level is at least 1 m.
- Acidic soils are not suitable. Otherwise, liming is carried out. But it is better to initially choose medium-textured and organically rich soils. The best option is peat bogs.
- Seedlings appear after 10 days. Planting scheme - 80 * 80 cm.
- No more than 7 bushes can be planted per 1 m2 so that their root systems do not intertwine. The width between the rows is 45 cm.
Harvesting takes place 100 days after planting the seeds. This is approximately from September to November.
Watering
Kale is a moisture-loving plant. For watering, you need 0.5 liters of water under one bush (2-3 times a week). They take warm and settled water.
Loosening
Required procedure for growing fodder cabbage:
- enriches the soil with oxygen;
- removes soil crust after watering or precipitation;
- promotes the rapid growth of the bush.
Loosening is also needed to control weeds. If they are not eliminated in time, damage to the root system or suspension of the growth of a vegetable crop is possible.
Top dressing
Nitrogen fertilizers are important for vegetable crops. Ammonium nitrate is often used as a fertilizer. For the first feeding, 5 g of the substance is diluted in 1 liter of water. This feeding is carried out if the fodder cabbage already has 3-4 leaves.
The second feeding is carried out at the stage of 6-7 leaves: 3 g of ammonium nitrate and 8 g of superphosphate are diluted in 2 liters of water. Consumption rate - 0.3 l for a sprout.
Pests and diseases
Due to its excellent nutritional value, the vegetable is often attacked by pests. They need to be dealt with in a timely manner. Some gardeners neglect this because cabbage is grown especially for animals. They do not realize that the negative, parasitic influence of pests later affects the quality, smell, taste of milk and the condition of livestock.
Pests
Kale can be affected by such pests:
- Cruciferous fleas. These are small black insects that eat the leaves of vegetable crops. A sign of their influence is the many small holes along the surface of the sheet plate. To combat them, a mixture of ash and tobacco dust is used in a ratio of 1 to 1. It is not necessary to water with water, because the method of dry pollination of leaves is used. This should be done early in the morning. It is desirable that there is dew on the surface of the plant.
- Cabbage moth. Butterflies are brown or gray with a long body. They gnaw through the outside of the leaves and eat the tissues. To combat them, "Lepidocide" is used. The product is diluted in water according to the instructions. Apply by drip irrigation to the surface of the affected leaves.
- Rape flower beetle. Black beetle up to 1 cm in size. Harmful to buds and seeds. After its exposure, up to 70% of the seed can die. The treatment is carried out on the basis of 0.2% etaphos and 0.04% andometrine.
- Cabbage fly. Outwardly, it looks like an ordinary brown fly. It feeds on green roots. First, it eats the soft, juicy part of the stem, after which it can infect the leaves. To get rid of the cabbage fly, take the Topaz remedy. 1 ampoule of the substance is diluted in 10 liters of water. Iskra and Karbofos are also used.
Diseases
High humidity and temperature conditions, improperly selected soil can cause the development of the following diseases:
- keel;
- blackleg;
- gray rot;
- black spot of leaves and pods.
If diseases are noticed in the early stages, the frequency of watering changes, transplanting into another soil, soil cultivation, etc.
If the disease has already developed, chemical agents are used. A solution of "Cumulus" helps from the keel, which is introduced at the root in an amount of 35 g per bucket of water. "Fitosporin" will help to eliminate the black leg. A solution based on 5 g of the substance and 10 l of water is added to each well. When fighting gray rot, watering is stopped, with black spot - the bushes are treated with Iskra.
Conclusion
Fodder cabbage is an excellent feed for livestock. It is appreciated for its rich composition and high nutritional value. It can grow in any region.