Agroclimatic conditions for cabbage production

Abstract

Cabbage is one of the most commonly produced vegetable crops worldwide due to its ability to adapt to a range of climatic conditions and soil types. As an intensive vegetable crop, cabbage can be produced all year round. Regarding the fact that cabbage needs optimum agroclimatic conditions during growing period for better yielding results, the paper aims to clarify and define the specific agroclimatic requirements, such as temperature, water, light and soil, suitable for cabbage production. Cabbage production should take place on a seasonal basis, as an early, summer, autumn, or winter production. Production goals should take into consideration whether the cabbage is intended for fresh consumption, pickling, storage or another specific method of consumption or processing. Growing the same cultivar in two different temperatures during one year should be avoided. The combination of suitable production conditions, intensive cultivation practices and mechanisation, can boost the genetic potential of the cabbage cultivars. Local climate conditions greatly affect cabbage production, primarily plant growth, occurrence and development of diseases, harmful insects, and weeds. Production planning must take into consideration both the regional (mean annual temperatures and precipitation) and the local climate conditions (frost occurrence). Cabbage is currently produced in the open field throughout the year, but we may be forced to change the course of cabbage production due to the increase of extreme local climate change. For this reason, the aim of this paper was to give recommendations of agricultural practices that could minimize the detrimental effects of climate change in cabbage production.