Food Plants International

227
Names
English: Cabbage Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.
Tok pisin: Synonyms: Brassica capitata (L.) H. Léveillé
Tok ples: Plant family: Brassicaceae
Description: A herb. It is a short leafy plant with a
thick stalk. In cold areas it forms a thick tightly packed
ball of leaves called a "head". If the plant is left
growing in the ground it will later produce a flower
stalk. The flowers are yellow.
Distribution: It does best at higher altitudes in the
tropics where there is a greater difference between day
and night temperatures. It is mostly above 1000 m.
They are frost resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.
Cultivation: Plants are normally first grown from seeds. But in many places in Papua New
Guinea they are re-grown from cuttings or sprouts that develop on the cut stalk.
Production: Cabbages take 5-7 months to be ready for harvest.
Use: The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.
Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion
Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C Zinc
part % KJ g mg mg µg mg mg
Leaves 93.6 92 1.0 0.2 132 IU 20 0.1
Insects:
Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) Noctuidae (LEP) Black cutworm
Chrysodeixis eriosoma Doubleday Noctuidae (LEP) Vegetable looper
Colgar tricolor Dist. Flatidae (HOM)
Crocidolomia binotalis Zell. Pyralidae (LEP) Cabbage cluster caterpillar
Euricania discigutta (Walk.) Ricaniidae (HEM) Plant hopper
Papuana spp. Scarabaeidae (COL) Taro beetles
Phaneroptera brevis Serv. Tettigoniidae (ORTH)
Plutella xylostella (L.) Plutellidae (LEP) Diamond backed moth
Spodoptera litura (F.) Noctuidae (LEP) Cluster caterpillar
Valanga sp. Acrididae (ORTH)
Diseases:
Black leaf spot Fungus Alternaria brassicicola
Leaf spot Fungus Colletotrichum sp.
Ring spot Fungus Mycosphaerella brassicicola
Downy mildew Fungus Peronospora parasitica
Black rot Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris (Pamm)Dowson
Soft rot Bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora
Collar rot Fungus Thanatephorus cucumeris
Damping off Fungus Pythium sp.
And Rhizoctonia sp.
Pests:
Importance: Cabbages are very common and popular in high altitudes areas of Papua New
Guinea.