A DECIMAL CODE DESCRIBING THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF HEAD CABBAGE (BRASSICA-OLERACEA VAR CAPITATA)

The developmental stages of head cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capit ata) as a vegetable have been characterised by a decimal code. Five pr imary stages are recognised: germination, emergence and establishment, leaf formation, head formation and maturity. Each primary stage is di vided into secondary stages, which apply both to single plants and to crops. Maturity is defined as the head having obtained a marketable we ight and density. The standing ability is defined as the number of day s from 90% of the crop being marketable to 25% of the crop having beco me unmarketable.