Chlorophyll pigments and carotenoid contents in kale (Brassica oleracea) cultivars under temperate climate

The level of chlorophyll pigments and carotenoid contents were determined in leaves of 35 cultivars of kale. The investigation was carried out in two successive years (2009–2011) on experimental field of Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, Srinagar, J & K. Based on leaf characteristics the kale cultivars under evaluation were grouped in Scotch type (leaves grey green and crumple (and Scotch type (Leaves blue green and less curled). Chlorophyll contents deferred significantly and ranged between minimum of 47.52 mg/100 g in CITH-KC-47 to maximum of 191.64 mg/100 g in CITH-K-04 followed by CITH-KC-42 (181.04 mg/100 g) and CITH-KC-5 (179.16 mg/100 g) and Japanese green (169.24 mg/100 g). Carotenoid contents significantly differed among different cultivars and ranged between minimum of 12.28 mg/100 g in CITH-KC-47 and maximum of 50.82 mg/100 g in CITH-KC-4 followed by CITH-KC-05 (42.82 mg/100 g), CITH-KC-43 (37.20 mg/100 g) and CITH-KC-42 (33.37 mg/100 gm). Under temperate climate (September-October) kale cultivars CITH-KC-04, CITH-KC42, CITH-KC-05, CITH-KC-43 and Japanese green were found rich in chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, however, further more evaluation studies are required for screening of kale genotypes for maximum chlorophyll and carotenoid levels.