Variation in chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in kale (Brassica oleracea) as influenced by cultivars and harvesting dates

摘要

The levels of total chlorophyll and carotenoids were determined in kale (Brassica oleracea L.) leaves of three commercial cultivars, i.e. Siberian Kale, IChanyari and Japanese Green. The investigation was carried out at Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, J & K in two successive years (2009-2010); in each year raw material was obtained in three harvests carried out 5, 7 and 9 weeks after planting young kale transplants in the field. During whole period of investigation the range of average content of chlorophyll in 100g fresh weight was 136.18 g in Siberian Kale to 172.10 g in Japanese kale. In all the cultivars chlorophyll content significantly increased from first to second harvest and maximum of 3.5% increase was in Japanese Green and subsequently decreased in third harvest. Similarly level of carotenoids in different cultivars varied significantly and maximum of 23.50 mg/100g as observed in Japanese Green and minimum of 18.99 mg/100g in Siberian Kale. Similarly significant difference was recorded with harvest dates and interaction of harvest date and cultivars. The increase of carotenoids from first to second harvest was recorded maximum (12.90%) in Siberian Kale and increase from second to third harvest was maximum in Khanyari (12.12%)