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Description
Introduction
Brassicas constitute the majority of cultivated Cruciferae in eastern and southern Africa. The main brassicas grown in the region include cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata), kale or choumo lea (B. oleracea L. var. acephala), Chinese cabbage (B. campestris L. var. chinensis/B. campestris L. var. pekinensis), cauliflower (B. oleracea L. var. botrytis) and rape (B. carinata (indigenous) and B. napus (an exotic type). Other brassicas grown in the region are broccoli (B. oleracea L. var. italica), Brussels sprouts (B. oleracea L. var. gemmifera), kohlrabi (B. oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.), savoy (B. oleracea L. var. sabauda), swede (B. napus L. var. napobrassica) and turnip (B. campestris L. var. rapa). Other crucifers grown in the region include radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. hortensis) and horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaertn.)
These vegetables are grown mainly for the local market and for domestic use. They are valuable as sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as a source of cash for smallscale farmers in rural and peri-urban areas. However, production is often constrained by damage caused by a range of pests (insects, diseases, nematodes and weeds). The range of pests attacking the different brassicas is similar, but the relative importance of individual pest species varies between the different crops.
The pest constraints of brassicas in the region were identified during a planning workshop held in Malawi in May 1995 with participants from seven countries (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe), and revised in a second meeting held in Kenya in May 1998. The main pests were identified as insects: the diamondback moth (DBM), cabbage aphids, the headborer Hellula and Bagrada bugs. The most important diseases are blackrot and Turnip Mosaic Virus (Table 1)...
Publication Date
2003
Publisher
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)
Recommended Citation
Varela, A. M., Seif, A., & Löhr, B. (2003). A Guide to IPM in Brassicas Production in Eastern and Southern Africa. Retrieved from https://thehive.icipe.org/manuals/10