Glucosinolate Concentrations in Differentially Irrigated Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L., Capitata Group)
Glucosinolates are secondary plant products of the Brassicaceae that may influence vegetable flavor and human health. Soil moisture levels and plant water status are thought to influence cabbage head glucosinolate levels. However, no information is available on the effect of irrigation timing relative to plant developmental stage on glucosinolate concentrations in cabbage. To address these gaps in the literature, cabbage (cv. Bravo) was grown in 2002 and 2003 at The Ohio State Univ., Ohio Agricultural Research and development Center in Wooster, Ohio. The four irrigation treatments, arranged in a RCB design, were: 1) irrigation throughout development [no stress (NS)], 2) irrigation only during head development [frame stress (FS)], 3) irrigation only during frame development [head stress (HS)], and 4) no irrigation [frame and head stress (FHS)]. Irrigation was supplied via drip tape and scheduled by the hand-feel method. Differential soil moisture levels among treatments were confirmed with gypsum block, time domain reflectometry (TDR) and gravimetric measurements. Analyzed across years, irrigation timing significantly affected total glucosinolate concentrations, with levels 36% greater in cabbage not irrigated during head development (HS, FHS) relative to cabbage receiving irrigation during head development (NS, FS). Concentrations were highest (29.4 mmol·kg-1) and lowest (19.4 mmol·kg-1) in FHS and FS cabbage, respectively. Irrigation effects were greater in 2002, when air temperatures were higher and rainfall and relative humidity lower than in 2003. We conclude from the data that head development is the critical stage at which irrigation should be applied in order to influence cabbage glucosinolate levels at maturity.