Wild mustard broccoli

The interaction of weeds with crops may be positive too. In a study, controlled densities of wild mustard (Brassica campestris L. var. italica) interplanted with broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Premium Crop) increased the yield by 50% (Jimenez-Osomio and Gliessman 1987). 

Allelopathic Interference in a Wild Mustard (Brassica campestris L.) and Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) Intercrop Agroecosystem... 

Non-crop plants associated with the crop species offer possibilities for allelopathic weed control. In this study Brassica campestris (wild mustard), which is an important weed in Santa Cruz County, and broccoli, a common crop, were intercropped, The allelopathic potential of both species and the changes in this potential throughout their life cycle were demonstrated with experiments in the laboratory. Effects of different planting densities and sowing time of canpestris on the crop yield are analyzed. Preliminary steps to separate the physiologically active compound(s) are described. The possibilities for the use of Brassica campestris in agroecosystem design as a non-crop plant that promotes pest control are described. 

Five weeJcs after sowing, the broccoli was transplanted into the field while wild mustard was planted directly on the date of broccoli transplant. The area was irrigated every wee)c with overhead sprin-)clers throughout the experiment and fertilized 10.1 L/ha fish emulsion ("Grow Force brand) at 30 and 57 days after set-up of the experiment. The plots were hand weeded selectively every 15 days, samples of the volunteer weeds were ta)cen through the plot method (18), and the number of different species, number of individuals of each species, and biomass (dry weight) were recorded for each plot. The dominance, frequency, density, and importance value were calculated for each species in each plot. 

Table V summarizes the effects of extracts of dry tissues of broccoli and wild mustard on the radicular growth of indicator species (jl. vulgare, multiflorum, V. atropurpurea and sativus). ...

Other studies have provided evidence for the allelopathic potential of wild mustard W and broccoli (, 22). The results from the... 

The water-soluble extracts of wild mustard and broccoli plants were species specific, as shown by the results obtained by other authors (22, 31, 32). The greater insensitivity of crucifers is apparently related to the presence of specific myrosinases which are capable of transforming the breakdown products of the glucosinolates (33). 

Field studies do not demonstrate conclusive allelopathic inhibition of weeds by wild mustard or broccoli, but there are some indications of allelopathic interference. First, the main weeds in the first weeding were crucifers in all treatments, but not in the following weedings. They were stimulated to germinate only at that time. Second, broccoli production was affected by B. campestris yields were increased during the summer. Earlier planting of mustard in the fall inhibited broccoli yields, but had no effect when mustard was planted at the same time broccoli was transplanted. In addition, stimulatory effects of crucifers on other crucifers or other crops has been observed before (10, 16, 41). 

In this study some assays showed stimulation by wild mustard extracts on broccoli radicular growth, and field experiments demonstrated that broccoli production can increase in the presence of the non-crop plant. Mean production of broccoli for Santa Cruz County varies from 4 to 6 tons/acre (42). The yield obtained when B. cam-pestris was at a density of 8 plants/m2 was 6.74 tons/acre even with broccoli planted in lower density than in conventional monocrops. During the fall, broccoli production was reduced significantly, yet it is important to mention that the variety (Premium Crop) is not the one most recommended for this season. 

Jimenez-Osornio J. J., S, R. Gliessman. Allelopathic interference in a wild mustard (Brassica campestris L.) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) intercrop agroecosystem. In Allelochemicals, Role in Agriculture and Forestry, Waller G.R. ed. ACS Symp. Ser. 330. American Chemical Society, Washington DC, USA, 1987 pp. 262-274. 

The consuming public is frequently unaware of the dietetic importance of Brassica oilseed crops since their oil and meal products are usually processed and blended as they enter the food chain. On the other hand, almost every consumer is familiar with their close relatives, the cole vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, the condiment mustards, and the root crops of turnips, rutabagas and radishes. Many farmers directly feed forage rapes and kales while others attempt to rid their fields of weedy species such as black and wild mustard. 

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