AUTOCHTONOUS KALE POPULATIONS (BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. ACEPHALA) IN CROATIAN COASTAL REGION

Abstract

Recent years have been characterized by a revival of market interest in kale as a result of recognition of its nutritional properties. Kale seeds of 15 populations were collected in Istra, island of Mljet, south coastline and inland of Dalmatia. The aim of this work was to evaluate morphological characteristics of domestic kale populations throughout observation of 14 phenotypic traits. At the first harvest populations Banja and Babino polje had larger fresh mass of leaves, but at the second harvest the largest fresh mass of leaves had population from Opuzen. Obtained results indicated differences between kale populations at morphological level. Genetic variability studies are required for more accurate comprehension of variability and relationships among kale populations.

Keywords

• kale
• morphological characteristics
• yield