Studies on some wild Brassicaceae species utilizable as vegetables in the Mediterranean areas

摘要

Wild Brassicaceae species collected in eastern Sicily were assessed for their use as vegetables. Germination trials with Brassica fruticulosa Cyr., Brassica nigra Koch, Diplotaxis erucoides DC., Hirschfeldia incana Lagr.-F., Sinapis alba L. and Sinapis arvensis L. were done six months after harvest to determine response to germination under different temperatures (5,10,15, 20, 25°C). At all temperatures, B. nigra and S. alba had the highest germination. Pretreatment of seeds of some species by exposure to cold for 3 days at 10°C improved germination. Growing trials on two sowing dates (1 October and 15 January) in the field and greenhouse were performed to determine seed characteristics, biological, agronomic and nutritional differences between B.fruticulosa and B. oleracea var, italien Plenk. For B. fruticulosa, yields were high and the quality of the edible part was satisfactory, particularly with regard to mineral and ascorbic acid contents. These studies indicate the significant contribution-that wild Brassicaceae species could offer to vegetable diversification and in particular the potential of B. fruticulosa as a new vegetable crop.