Cabbage is a herbaceous annual or biennial vegetable grown for its edible head.

It may be referred to as cabbage, Shetland cabbage, Savoy cabbage, white cabbage or red cabbage.

It is believed to have originated from a wild cabbage ancestor in ancient Asia minor.

China, India, and Russia are the world’s three biggest cabbage producers while Russia is the largest cabbage consuming country.

The major cabbage producing states of India are Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Capparales
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Genus: Brassica
• Species: oleracea var. capitata

• Cabbage heads are the most economically important part.
• Leaves of cabbage are used to feed animals.

In India, cabbage is grown in large areas having a cool and moist climate.

A temperature range of 15°-21°C is considered as optimum for growth and head formation of the crop.

Cultivation of cabbage is done mainly on sandy to heavy soils rich in organic matter.

Early crops prefer light soil while late crops thrive better on heavier soils due to retention of moisture.

A pH range of 6.0-6.5 is considered as optimum for growing cabbage.

Plants growing in saline soils are prone to diseases.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes.
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major Pests: Beet Armyworm, Cabbage Aphid, Cabbage Lopper, Cutworm and Flea Beetle.
  • Major Diseases: Alternaria Leaf Spot, Anthracnose, Black Rot, Club Root, Damping Off and Powdery Mildew.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Cracking
  • Tip Burn
  • Oedema
  • Bolting
  • J-rooting