Sukumawiki (kales) farming guide

Scientific name: Brassica oleraceae var acephala

Varieties
1.Sukuma Siku Hybrid -Curled leaves, soft texture. Has good tolerance to Diamond Back
Moth. Leaves have a good cooking flavor. Longer harvesting period (6-9 months).\

Sukuma siku hybrid kales

2.Marrow stem -Dark green leaves. Prefers coolclimate with moderate to fairly heavy and well-distributed rainfall.

3.Thousand headed-Smaller leaves than Collard. It is slow growing compared to other varieties. Very branching and frequently produces many heads hence requires frequent pruning. Has long
harvesting period.

Thousand headed kales

4.Collards southern Georgia(sukuma wild) - Drought tolerant variety that withstands high temperatures. It is a shorter variety with large, tender, bluish green leaves that spread widely. Tolerant to Soft and Black Rot.

Collard kales

5.Collard Mfalme Fl - A hybrid with short internodes and many leaves per internode hence more yield per unit area. It is tolerant to a wide range of diseases. Have tender Leaves.

Introduction
-The kale (Sukuma wiki) is a member of the cabbage family with a wide ecological adaptability.

-Kale is very high in beta carotene , vitamin K , vitamin C , lutein , zeaxanthin , roughage
and reasonably rich in iron and calcium . The leaves are widely utilized mainly alone or in mixture with other vegetables, meat and pulses.

-Overall kales have the potential to transform African economies and contribute to poverty reduction.

-In Kenya it is grown by 90% of small holder farmers thus providing employment mostly for women and youth who are involved in their production.

-They also provide a positive spill over effect upon a range of other industries like transport and trade.

-Prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil.

-Prefers plentiful, consistent moisture. Can tolerate drought, but quality and flavor of leaves suffer.

-As plants mature and lower leaves are harvested, plants begin to look less like a clump and start to resemble small palm trees with a cluster of leaves at the top of a long stem.

Land preparation
-Initial cultivation should be deep to allow better and faster root development. Aggressive perennial weeds should be removed before planting.

-Early land preparation is recommended to expose pests to sunlight and birds. Land should be dry to avoid soil crumbling and creation of a hard pan.

-Incorporating of crop residue can significantly increase the soil organic content.

Nursery Establishment
-Kale seeds are sown into nursery structures like open land, wooden, plastic or seeding trays.

Open field nursery establishment Procedure
1. Site nursery where vegetables in the same family as kale have not been grown for 2 years.

2. The nursery beds should be about 1 meter wide (so as to undertake cultural practices without injuring the plants) and of the required length. In wet areas and sites with heavy soils, raised beds are recommended to prevent water logging.

3. Manure and phosphate fertilizers like DAP should be applied and worked well into the soil. Manure improves the soil structure and moisture holding while phosphorus helps in root development. A nitrogen fertilizer like CAN is top dressed two weeks after germination only on poor soils since excessive nitrogen results to weak plants.

4. The drills are made across the beds at a spacing of 10-15cm apart and 2cm deep.

5. The seeds should be sown thinly and covered lightly with soil. Cover the nursery bed with a thin layer of dry grass (mulch) to avoid unearthing the seeds. This is removed after germination.

6. In hot areas, a shade (about 1m high) is necessary. However, excessive watering and shade favors the development of powdery mildews.

7. The seedlings should be thinned out to 2-3cm apart. Crowded seedlings compete for nutrients and space resulting into weak seedlings. Crowding also creates conducive environment for damping off disease.

8. Water once or twice daily. Irregular watering also promotes dumping off disease. Pests and diseases in the nursery should be controlled to ensure healthy seedlings.

9.The seedlings are transplanted when four to five true leaves are formed. This takes a period of about four weeks.

Pests and diseases
1.Black rot (Leaf spot)
2.Alternaria leaf spot (Black spot, Gray spot)
3.Anthracnose
4.Damping-off (Wirestem)
5.Downy mildew
6.Root-knot nematode
7.Cabbage looper
8.Beet armyworm
9.Cutworms
10.Flea beetles
11.Thrips (Western flower thrips, Onion thrips )
12.Cabbage aphid
13.Large cabbage white (Cabbageworm)
14.Diamondback moth

Harvesting - Kale is a hearty vegetable that prefers the cold weather and if cared for correctly can produce a surplus of leaves throughout every season.

-The time frame for harvesting kale is a personal decision, loosely based on flavor
preferences. For those that require a lighter side to kale's taste, younger leaves will suffice.

-But for those that like the more pungent and bold flavor of kale, the matured leaves of
fall are preferable.

-Pick what you need throughout the season. Kale can be harvested soon after the plants begin to grow leaves.

-Younger leaves can be a tasty addition to some salads, and the more mature leaves become more flavorful as they grow.

-Remove the outer leaves of the Kale plant as it matures, for a continuous cycle of growth. The center of the kale plant containing the bud will continue to produce fresh leaves when the outer ones are removed.

-By following this rule of thumb, you can expect a vast amount of kale production to suit your needs.

-Choose leaves that are bright green and fresh, as opposed to yellowed leaves, when harvesting kale for eating.

-The yellowish leaves can produce an undesirable taste, and their limp appearance may be unappetizing.

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