Commonly known as the mustard family, the Brassicaceae/Cruciferae consists of more than 300 genera and 3,000 species. Cole crops are varieties of the species Brassica oleracea. These include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, and kale. Other crucifers include mustard, turnip, rutabaga and radish. Commercial production of crucifers in North Carolina is primarily in cabbage, collard greens, and mustard and turnip greens. Cabbage is grown in most of the state's counties, but commercial production is concentrated primarily in northeastern North Carolina (Pasquotank County). Cabbage is grown as both a spring and fall crop, and in the mountains as an early summer and fall crop. Approximately 10,000 acres of cabbage are grown annually in North Carolina. The collard is a cool season crop that should be grown during early spring or fall. The mature plant will withstand frosts and light to medium freezes. It is one of the most popular garden vegetables in the south. Approximately 3,000 acres of collards are grown annually in North Carolina.
Cornell disease factsheets
- Alternaria leaf spot of brassicas
- Bacterial leaf spot on cauliflower
- Black leg on kale
- Black rot on Brussels sprouts
- Black rot on cabbage
- Black rot on ornamental kale and ornamental cabbage
- Cabbage chimera (genetic disorder)
- Clubroot of Crucifers
- Cole crop diseases
- Diseases of Winter Greens: downy mildew, Cladosporium leaf spot, botrytis crown rot and root rot
- Downy mildew on cabbage
- Downy mildew on seedlings
- Fusarium Yellows of Cabbage & Related Crops
- Head rot (soft rot) of broccoli
- Heat stress damage to broccoli heads
- Powdery mildew
