1
International Cooperators'
Fact Sheet
Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center; P.O. Box 42, Shanhua; Taiwan 741; ROC
tel: (886-6) 583-7801 fax: (886-6) 583-0009 email: avrdcbox@netra.avrdc.org.tw www: http://www.avrdc.org.tw
Contact person: Director of AVRDC-Regional Center for Africa at avrdc-arp@cybernet.co.tz
Sponsored by Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom and
the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) of the Republic of China.
Ethiopian Kale
Introduction
Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata), also called loshuu,
can be found throughout eastern and southern Africa
in both lowland and highland conditions. It can grown
both on light and heavy soils but does not like “wet
feet.” It does not need a long cold season to produce
flowers and seeds like cabbages and ordinary kale or
Sukuma wiki.
Seeds and sowing
Seeds should be collected from healthy, disease-free
plants. Harvest when the pods are fully dry, just before
they open naturally in the field. Seeds can be dried
further in the shade for 3–5 days. Properly dried seeds
should be kept in a closed container to avoid damage
by insects. Alternatively, seeds can be obtained from
AVRDC-Regional Center for Africa at the address listed
below.
Seeds should be sown in seedbeds, in rows spaced
15–20 cm apart. Sow seeds 1–2 cm apart. Closer spac-
ings can lead to damping off disease. Transplant when
seedlings are 15 cm tall, at a spacing of 35–50 cm in
the row, with 50–75 cm between rows.
Crop management
Ethiopian kale responds very well to manure. If pos-
sible, well-decomposed manure should be incorporated
into the soil before planting. Nitrogen fertilization is
needed for a high leaf yield and an application of 100
kg nitrogen per hectare is recommended. Apply the
nitrogen as a side dressing around the main stem of
the plant. Make sure that fertilizer is not spilled on the
leaves since it will burn them.
Frequent irrigation is needed for good yields. Plants
suffering from drought will begin to flower and s