Cabbage is a hardy vegetable that grows especially well on
fertile soil. Most cabbages come in various shades of green, but
there are red and purple varieties too. The cabbage heads vary ___1___
the standard round shape to flattened or pointed shapes. Most
varieties have smooth leaves, but the Savoy types have crinkly
textured leaves.
Cabbage is easy to grow if you select ___2___
varieties and practice proper culture and insect management.
Always regarded as a good source of vitamins, cabbage has
recently been shown to have disease-preventive properties as
well.
Yellow or fusarium wilt is a relatively common disease that ___3___
the leaves to wilt and die. The first ___4___
of the diseases is yellowing and browning of the lower leaves.
The plants are stunted before wilting occurs. Therefore it si
advisable to grow yellow-resistant (YR) or yellow-tolerant
varieties. Most modern hybrids have this tolerance or resistance
bred ___5___ them.
Blackleg and black rot ___6___
two diseases that cause severe losses. The plants may be
stunted, may turn yellow and die. Blackleg is named for the
black cankers on the stem. The taproot often rots ___7___.
Black rot can be recognized by large, V-shaped, yellow-to-brown
areas in the leaves, starting at the leaf edge. The veins turn
black. Soft rot usually follows black-rot infection. |