Good agricultural practices for production of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Good agricultural practices for production of Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A. Braun) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Nono-Womdim, R. Book author
Ojiewo, C. Book author
Abang, M. Book author
Oluoch, M.O. Book author

Leuven ISHS Belgium

2012

p.103-114

SB323.A35N8

Ethiopian mustard, locally known as “gomenzer” is among the oldest oil crops widely\n cultivated in Ethiopia but grown on limited scale in other parts of Africa as a leafy vegetable. It is an amphidiploid with one genome from Brassica nigra and the other from Brassica oleracea. The crop is believed to have evolved in the highlands of Ethiopia and adjoining portions of east Africa and the Mediterranean coast. Cultivation of Ethiopia mustard as leaf vegetable is limited to small-scale production but it is slowly gaining popularity in rural as well as urban areas where commercial production is taking place. The crop is best grown in the mid to high altitude (2000 to 2600 m) areas on more fertile, well-drained soil often close to homesteads that are rich with organic matters. Optimum cultural practices such as appropriate sowing date (early to late June) and 12-15 kg/ha seed rate have been recommended. Fertilizer rate of 46/69 kg/ha of N/P2O5, respectively, and two hand-weeding at 25-30 and 50-60 days after sowing were found good practices for superior vegetative growth and hence high seed yield. Extent and intensity of defoliation experiments have shown no significance and consistent effects on seed yield and oil contents due mainly to compensatory effects. Better varieties, agronomic practices and crop protection measures are still required in terms of improved yields and qualities of leaves, seeds, oils and meals.

Good agricultural practices for African indigenous vegetables; Proceedings of a

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