About the quality of cruciferous forage and green manure crops

Based on data in literature an answer is given on the question if content of S-methylcysteinsulfoxid, content of glucosinolates and resistance to beet cyst nematod have to be considered as criteria for inscription of varieties of cruciferous fodder and green manure crops to the national Belgian list. A low content of SMCO is desired, esp. for kale. However, the content depends on environmental factors to such a high degree that no reliable classification of varieties can be made. A low content of glucosinolates is most necessary for fodder rape. Yet, obvious rules of admissible levels for forage fail. The breeder can make an advance by selecting rape with a low glucosinolate content in the seed and a high leaf to stem ratio. Cruciferous green manure crops, sown in the mid-summer, have to be resistant to beet cyst nematodes. This should be an essential criterion of admission to the national list of varieties for these crops. On the other hand, this criterion is of no importance for varieties, suited for sowing in September.