AN EVALUATION OF MARROWSTEM KALE

Abstract

Agronomic studies on marrowstem kale (Brassica oleracea L.), consisting of seven seeding and five harvest dates in one trial, two seeding methods and nine seeding rates in another, and five silages in another, were conducted for up to 3 years. Data were collected on dry matter yield and several yield and quality components. Delaying the date of seeding reduced yields in the autumn but the converse held for delaying the date of autumn harvest. Similar results were obtained with dry matter content and plant height. Medium to high seeding rates in broadcast stands produced the highest yields for early pasture; light seeding rates in rows yielded the highest for late pasture. Leaves constituted 55% of the pasture herbage in the early harvest and 25% in the late harvest. Height, stem diameter, and plant weights were higher in the row compared with the broadcast method and at the lighter seeding rates. The in vitro digestible dry matter and crude protein content of kale was superior to the other silage crops and kale appeared promising in a kale–corn combination.