🥬 Okra, Cole Crops, Peas & Spinach
Study okra, cauliflower, cabbage, peas and spinach cultivation for CUET Agriculture. Brassicaceae family, curd formation and seed production.
This lesson covers Okra (Malvaceae), the Cole crops (Brassicaceae — Cauliflower, Cabbage), Peas (Fabaceae), and Spinach (Chenopodiaceae). Cole crops are cool-season vegetables sharing 2n = 18 chromosomes, while Okra is a warm-season crop with an exceptionally high chromosome number.
4. Okra / Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Malvaceae (the cotton/hibiscus family)
- Origin: Tropical Africa (Ethiopia)
- Chromosome number: 2n = 130 (amphidiploid) -- this is an unusually high chromosome number among vegetables, resulting from natural hybridization between two ancestral species
- Often self-pollinated; also called Lady's Finger
- India is the largest producer of okra in the world
NOTE
Okra's chromosome number 2n = 130 is the highest among all common vegetables. This is because okra is an amphidiploid -- it originated from the crossing of two different species followed by chromosome doubling.
Climate & Soil
- Warm season crop; optimum 25-35 degrees C
- Does not tolerate frost; requires warm soil (above 20 degrees C) for proper seed germination
- Well-drained loamy soil; pH 6.0-7.0
Important Varieties
- OP (Open Pollinated): Pusa Sawani, Pusa Makhmali, Arka Anamika (resistant to YVMV), Arka Abhay, Parbhani Kranti
- Hybrid: Arka Nikita, VRO-6
TIP
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This lesson covers Okra (Malvaceae), the Cole crops (Brassicaceae — Cauliflower, Cabbage), Peas (Fabaceae), and Spinach (Chenopodiaceae). Cole crops are cool-season vegetables sharing 2n = 18 chromosomes, while Okra is a warm-season crop with an exceptionally high chromosome number.
4. Okra / Bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Malvaceae (the cotton/hibiscus family)
- Origin: Tropical Africa (Ethiopia)
- Chromosome number: 2n = 130 (amphidiploid) -- this is an unusually high chromosome number among vegetables, resulting from natural hybridization between two ancestral species
- Often self-pollinated; also called Lady's Finger
- India is the largest producer of okra in the world
NOTE
Okra's chromosome number 2n = 130 is the highest among all common vegetables. This is because okra is an amphidiploid -- it originated from the crossing of two different species followed by chromosome doubling.
Climate & Soil
- Warm season crop; optimum 25-35 degrees C
- Does not tolerate frost; requires warm soil (above 20 degrees C) for proper seed germination
- Well-drained loamy soil; pH 6.0-7.0
Important Varieties
- OP (Open Pollinated): Pusa Sawani, Pusa Makhmali, Arka Anamika (resistant to YVMV), Arka Abhay, Parbhani Kranti
- Hybrid: Arka Nikita, VRO-6
TIP
For CUET, remember that Arka Anamika and Parbhani Kranti are the two key varieties resistant to YVMV (Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus), the most serious disease of okra.
Cultivation
- Direct sown crop (not transplanted) -- okra has a taproot system that does not recover well from transplanting shock
- Seed rate: 8-10 kg/ha (Kharif); 18-20 kg/ha (Summer -- closer spacing requires more seed)
- Soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours before sowing to break seed coat dormancy and ensure uniform germination
- Spacing: 45cm x 30cm (Summer); 60cm x 30cm (Kharif) -- wider spacing in Kharif because plants grow larger with monsoon moisture
- Season: Summer (Feb-March); Kharif (June-July)
Manuring
- 15 tonnes FYM + 100 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 + 50 kg K2O per hectare
Harvesting & Yield
- Harvest tender green fruits 4-6 days after anthesis (flowering) -- timing is critical because fruits become fibrous (tough and stringy) if harvesting is delayed even by 1-2 days
- Picking must be done every 2-3 days to maintain fruit quality
- Yield: 8-12 tonnes/ha (OP); 15-20 tonnes/ha (hybrid)
Major Problems
- Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) -- transmitted by whitefly (Bemisia tabaci); the most serious disease of okra
- Symptoms: distinctive yellow network of veins on leaves, giving a mosaic pattern
- Resistant varieties: Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti
- Shoot and fruit borer (Earias vittella, E. insulana) -- caterpillars bore into shoot tips and developing fruits
- Jassids (leafhoppers) -- suck cell sap from leaves causing hopper burn (yellowing and curling of leaf margins)
7. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
- Origin: Mediterranean region (Eastern Mediterranean)
- Chromosome number: 2n = 18
- Edible part: Curd -- this is a modified inflorescence/flower head where the flower buds are arrested in a pre-floral stage, forming a compact white mass
- Cole crops (cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, knol-khol) -- all derived from the same species, wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea), through centuries of selective breeding for different plant parts
Climate & Soil
- Cool season crop; optimum 15-22 degrees C for curd development
- High temperature causes riceyness -- a disorder where curd peduncles elongate, giving the curd a loose, granular, "rice-like" surface texture
- Well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter; pH 6.0-7.0
- Boron and molybdenum are critical micronutrients -- their deficiency causes serious physiological disorders
IMPORTANT
Cauliflower is extremely sensitive to micronutrient deficiencies: Boron deficiency causes browning of curd and hollow stem, while Molybdenum deficiency causes whiptail (narrow, strap-like leaves). These are among the most frequently tested disorders in CUET.
Important Varieties
| Season | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Early (Sept planting) | Pusa Early Synthetic, Pusa Deepali, Early Kunwari |
| Mid (Oct-Nov planting) | Pusa Shubhra, Improved Japanese, Pant Gobhi-2, Pant Gobhi-3 |
| Late (Nov-Dec planting) | Snowball-16, Pusa Snowball-1, Pusa Snowball K-1 |
| Hybrid | Pusa Hybrid-2, Pusa Kartik Shankar |
Cultivation
- Seed rate: 400-500 g/ha
- Nursery: 4-5 weeks
- Spacing: 60cm x 45cm (early varieties); 60cm x 60cm (late varieties -- these grow larger and need more space)
- Transplanting: September to December depending on variety maturity group
Manuring
- 25 tonnes FYM + 120 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O per hectare
- Nitrogen in 3 splits: 50% basal + 25% at 30 DAT + 25% at curd initiation
- Borax at 10-15 kg/ha to prevent hollow stem and browning of curd
- Ammonium molybdate at 1 kg/ha for molybdenum deficiency prevention
Special Practice: Blanching
- Self-blanching or tying outer leaves over the curd is an important agronomic practice unique to cauliflower
- The purpose is to prevent yellowing of the curd due to sunlight exposure -- light triggers chlorophyll synthesis in the curd tissue, turning it yellow or green
- Blanching maintains the white colour of the marketable curd, which is the primary quality parameter
Harvesting & Yield
- Harvest when curd is compact, white, and 15-20 cm diameter
- Cut with 4-5 wrapper leaves intact for protection during transport
- Yield: Early 15-20 t/ha; Late 25-30 t/ha
Physiological Disorders
Cauliflower has the most physiological disorders of any vegetable crop -- this makes it a favourite topic in exams:
| Disorder | Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Buttoning | Early curd formation due to stress (transplanting shock, nutrient deficiency, low temperature), late transplanting | Small, premature curds that are unmarketable |
| Riceyness | High temperature during curd development | Elongated peduncles; velvety, granular curd surface |
| Blindness | Damage to terminal growing point (by insects or mechanical injury) | No curd formation at all |
| Browning | Boron deficiency | Brown discoloration inside the curd; hollow stem |
| Whiptail | Molybdenum deficiency | Narrow, strap-like leaves with only the midrib remaining |
| Hollow stem | Excess nitrogen, boron deficiency | Hollow centre of the main stem below the curd |
8. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Origin: Mediterranean region and Western Europe
- Chromosome number: 2n = 18
- Edible part: Vegetative terminal bud (head) -- the compact head is formed by tightly overlapping leaves around the terminal growing point
Climate & Soil
- Cool season crop; optimum 15-20 degrees C
- Tolerates lower temperatures better than cauliflower, making it more versatile for cooler regions
- Sandy loam to clay loam; pH 6.0-7.5
Important Varieties
- Flat head: Pride of India, Pusa Mukta
- Round head: Golden Acre, Copenhagen Market, Pusa Drum Head
- Conical: Jersey Wakefield
- Red cabbage: Red Acre, Red Drumhead -- used mainly for salads and coleslaw
- Hybrid: Pusa Ageti, Sri Ganesh Gol
Cultivation
- Seed rate: 500 g/ha
- Spacing: 60cm x 45cm
- Manuring: 20 tonnes FYM + 100-150 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 + 60 kg K2O/ha
Harvesting & Yield
- Maturity: firm, compact heads when pressed; 75-120 days from transplanting
- Yield: 30-45 tonnes/ha
- Head splitting -- occurs due to overmaturity or uneven watering; the internal growth pressure splits the head. Timely harvest and consistent irrigation prevent this problem.
Major Problems
- Black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) -- produces characteristic V-shaped yellow lesions starting from leaf margins with blackened veins. This is a seed-borne bacterial disease, so using disease-free seed and hot water seed treatment (50 degrees C for 30 minutes) are key control measures.
- Diamond back moth (DBM) (Plutella xylostella) -- the most destructive pest of cole crops globally. Small caterpillars feed on the underside of leaves, creating "window pane" damage. DBM has developed resistance to most insecticides worldwide, making integrated pest management essential.
9. Peas (Pisum sativum)
Peas (Pisum sativum) — Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
- Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
- Origin: Mediterranean region and Near East (Ethiopia, Afghanistan)
- Chromosome number: 2n = 14
- Mendel's experimental plant -- Gregor Mendel used the garden pea for his famous genetics experiments (1865) that established the laws of inheritance, making this one of the most historically important crop species
- Self-pollinated crop; also fixes atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules
Climate & Soil
- Cool season crop; optimum 10-18 degrees C
- Does not tolerate heat; above 27 degrees C causes poor pod set and flower abortion
- Well-drained loamy soil; pH 6.0-7.5
Important Varieties
| Type | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Garden pea (fresh) | Arkel (most popular variety in India), Arka Ajit, Pusa Pragati, Azad Pea-1 |
| Field pea (dry) | Rachna, Swarna Rekha, Aparna |
| Dwarf | Arkel, Bonneville |
| Tall | Alderman, Telephone |
Cultivation
- Direct sown crop (not transplanted) -- pea has a taproot system and is always sown directly in the field
- Seed rate: 80-100 kg/ha -- high seed rate because large seeds are sown
- Spacing: 30cm x 10cm (dwarf); 45cm x 10cm (tall)
- Sowing: October-November (plains)
- Seed treatment: Rhizobium inoculation before sowing -- this introduces nitrogen-fixing bacteria to the seed surface, enabling biological nitrogen fixation and reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer
- Light dose of N (20 kg/ha) as starter + 40 kg P2O5 + 40 kg K2O
Why Does Pea Need Only a 'Starter' Dose of Nitrogen?
Being a legume, pea forms a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium leguminosarum bacteria in its root nodules. These bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into plant-usable ammonium (NH4+) through biological nitrogen fixation. However, it takes about 2-3 weeks after germination for the nodules to become functional. The small "starter" dose of 20 kg N/ha supports the seedling during this initial period before the Rhizobium takes over nitrogen supply.
Harvesting & Yield
- Harvest when pods are well-filled but still tender and bright green -- overripe pods turn starchy and lose sweetness
- Duration: 60-80 days (early varieties); 90-120 days (late)
- Yield: 8-12 tonnes/ha (green pods)
- Sugar snaps and snow peas are harvested at the flat pod stage (before seeds develop) and eaten whole
Major Diseases
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) -- white powdery growth on leaves and pods; most common late-season disease
- Rust (Uromyces pisi) -- brown pustules (uredia) on leaves
- Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi) -- a soil-borne disease causing progressive wilting from lower leaves upward
15. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Beet Leaf (Beta vulgaris)
Comparison Table
| Feature | Desi Palak / Beet Leaf (Beta vulgaris) | Vilayati Palak / Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Chenopodiaceae | Chenopodiaceae |
| Origin | Europe (Ancestor: Beta maritima) | Iran |
| 2n | 18 | 12 |
| Edible part | Leaves (Pattiya) | Leaves (Pattiya) |
| Climate | Cool season; loamy soil | Cool season; slightly alkaline soil |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 | 6.5-7.5 |
| Pollination | Cross-pollinated (by wind) | Cross-pollinated |
| Season | Kharif -- Summer; Rabi -- Winter | Rabi -- Winter |
| Seed rate | Summer: 20-30 kg/ha; Winter: 10-15 kg/ha | 37-45 kg/ha |
| Nutrient source | Iron, Vitamin K, Vitamin A | Iron, Vitamin K, Vitamin A |
NOTE
What is commonly called "Palak" in Indian kitchens is actually Beet Leaf (Beta vulgaris), also known as "Desi Palak." True Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), or "Vilayati Palak," is a different species. Both belong to the same family (Chenopodiaceae) but differ in chromosome number and origin.
Important Varieties
| Desi Palak (Beet Leaf) | Vilayati Palak (Spinach) |
|---|---|
| Pusa Harit -- Chukander x Lokal Palak (Sukar variety) | Lucknow Palak |
| Pusa Bharti -- highest Vitamin C and carotenoid content | Lucknow Khara |
| Pusa Jyoti | Virginiya Sebaye |
| All Green | Alli Smooth Leaf |
| Panjab Green | Burnsy Jayant |
| Jobner Green -- Uttar Pradesh variety | -- |
| Pusa Palak | -- |
- Note: Palak is typically harvested 4-8 times per cutting -- multiple harvests are possible because the plant regenerates from the crown after each cutting
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Okra — basics | Abelmoschus esculentus; Family: Malvaceae; Origin: Tropical Africa (Ethiopia); 2n = 130 (amphidiploid — highest among vegetables) |
| Okra — India's position | Largest producer of okra in the world |
| Okra — cultivation | Direct sown (not transplanted); seed rate 8-10 kg/ha (Kharif); soak seeds 12-24 hrs; spacing 45×30 cm (summer) |
| Okra — harvesting | Harvest 4-6 days after anthesis; pick every 2-3 days; yield OP: 8-12 t/ha, Hybrid: 15-20 t/ha |
| Okra — YVMV | Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus — most serious disease; vector: whitefly; resistant varieties: Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti |
| Cauliflower — basics | Brassica oleracea var. botrytis; Family: Brassicaceae; Origin: Mediterranean; 2n = 18 |
| Cauliflower — edible part | Curd — modified inflorescence/flower head (pre-floral stage) |
| Cauliflower — micronutrients | Boron deficiency → browning of curd & hollow stem; Molybdenum deficiency → whiptail (strap-like leaves) |
| Cauliflower — disorders | Buttoning (stress/early curd), Riceyness (high temp), Blindness (terminal bud damage), Browning (B deficiency), Whiptail (Mo deficiency), Hollow stem (excess N/B deficiency) |
| Cauliflower — blanching | Tying outer leaves over curd to prevent yellowing (maintain white colour) |
| Cauliflower — yield | Early: 15-20 t/ha; Late: 25-30 t/ha; seed rate 400-500 g/ha |
| Cabbage — basics | Brassica oleracea var. capitata; Origin: Mediterranean & W. Europe; 2n = 18; edible part: vegetative terminal bud (head) |
| Cabbage — yield | 30-45 t/ha; maturity 75-120 days from transplanting |
| Cabbage — black rot | Xanthomonas campestris — V-shaped yellow lesions with blackened veins; seed-borne bacterial disease |
| Cabbage — DBM | Diamond Back Moth (Plutella xylostella) — most destructive pest of cole crops globally |
| Peas — basics | Pisum sativum; Family: Fabaceae; Origin: Mediterranean; 2n = 14; Mendel's experimental plant |
| Peas — traits | Self-pollinated; fixes atmospheric N₂ via Rhizobium; cool season crop (optimum 10-18°C) |
| Peas — cultivation | Direct sown; seed rate 80-100 kg/ha; spacing 30×10 cm (dwarf); Rhizobium inoculation before sowing |
| Peas — key variety | Arkel — most popular variety in India |
| Peas — yield & diseases | Yield: 8-12 t/ha (green pods); Powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi), Rust (Uromyces pisi), Wilt (Fusarium) |
| Spinach vs Palak | "Desi Palak" = Beet Leaf (Beta vulgaris, 2n=18); "Vilayati Palak" = true Spinach (Spinacia oleracea, 2n=12); both Chenopodiaceae |
| Palak — key variety | Pusa Bharti — highest Vitamin C and carotenoid content; harvested 4-8 cuttings |
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