Cabbage Megaton

Cabbage Megaton F1 is a high-yielding, unpretentious hybrid of white cabbage that shows high yields in regions with different climatic conditions. Due to its high taste characteristics, attractive appearance, the vegetable is popular both with small producers and large agricultural holdings, and juicy, poured and tough heads of cabbage are used not only for preparing summer salads and daily meals, but also for fermentation and preservation.

Cabbage Megaton F1 (Megaton) is the result of painstaking selection work of engineers-vegetable growers of the agricultural holding Bejo Zaden, located in the Netherlands. The high-yielding vegetable belongs to the first generation white cabbage hybrids and has improved characteristics that best meet the needs of both private gardeners and large farms. The year of the end of the selection work and the registration of the hybrid is 1996. Cabbage is intended for cultivation in the open field, and the harvested crop has a universal purpose. Advantages:

• high productivity;
• juicy and dense structure;
• excellent taste indicators;
• universal purpose;
• rich vitamin composition;
• the formation of large and elastic heads;
• the presence of a high immune response to the most common diseases and pests;
• resistance to climatic fluctuations;
• high rate of transportability;
• resistance to cracking in the presence of a large amount of moisture.

Disadvantages:

• the complexity of growing in the climatic conditions of the Volga Federal District;
• rigid leaf structure immediately after harvest;
• the presence of a large amount of sugars;
• the impossibility of self-collection of seed;
• storage period no more than 3-4 months.

Cabbage Megaton F1 refers to mid-late vegetables with a large leafy rosette, which can be horizontal or semi-raised. Soft green matte round leaf plates have a concave surface, they are wavy along the edge. A distinctive feature is the presence of corrugated integumentary leaves and a small stump. The large round forks have a dense structure.

The average weight of a ripe vegetable ranges from 3.2 to 4.1 kg. However, with the maximum observance of the rules of care, as well as in the presence of favorable weather conditions, the hybrid can form a head weighing more than 10 kg. A round head of cabbage is colored in a pale green hue and has a white, dense and juicy inner structure.

Due to its excellent taste characteristics, the harvested crop can be used not only for preparing summer vitamin salads, for fermentation, but also as the main ingredient in the preparation of hot dishes, preservation. Sauerkraut is in great demand during the winter epidemics and colds due to its rich vitamin composition. Fresh vegetable chemical composition:

• dry matter - 8–8.7%;
• sugar - 4-5%;
• ascorbic acid - 39-44 mg per 100 g;
• protein - 0.6-3%

The technical ripeness of a medium late hybrid occurs 136–168 days after germination and depends on the climatic characteristics of the growing region and the weather conditions of the current season. Harvesting can be done in August, September and October. Experienced farmers recommend cutting off the heads after the first frost, which will significantly increase the taste of the product. Harvesting should be done in dry and sunny weather.

Cabbage Megaton F1 is distinguished not only by its unpretentiousness, but also by its high yield. Depending on the region of cultivation and climatic factors, from a plot of 1 hectare, you can collect from 586 to 934 centners of elastic and juicy heads of cabbage.

Despite the unpretentiousness of the culture, in order to obtain a high-quality harvest when growing a vegetable, it is necessary to observe the basic agrotechnical rules. Megaton cabbage is grown only by the seedling method. Sowing seeds should be carried out in the third decade of April or in the first decade of May. To ensure the maximum percentage of germination, seed should be purchased only from trusted producers who are responsible for their products.

Before planting seeds in the ground, they must be soaked in warm water for 15 minutes, and then treated with special disinfectants and agents to accelerate growth. A few days before planting, the seed must be placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, which will allow it to be hardened. Sowing seeds in planting containers must be carried out in grooves, the optimal distance between which is 6–7 cm. Seed material must not be buried more than 30 mm.

Germination can be increased by creating a greenhouse effect. Young shoots must be regularly watered with settled water, weeds must be removed in a timely manner and treated from pests. At the stage of formation of 2–3 true leaves, a pick should be made.

In the first decade of June, mature seedlings can be planted in open ground. By this time, the plants should be 15–20 cm tall, and the central stem should have 4–6 healthy leaf plates. A distinctive feature of the hybrid is the resistance of seedlings to frosts down to -3 °.

To obtain large heads of cabbage and prevent thickening of the plantings, which can provoke the development of fungal and viral diseases, when planting seedlings, it is necessary to observe a certain distance between the shoots. The standard planting pattern is 50X60cm. The culture site should be well lit and protected from strong cold winds. Cultural care consists of a set of the following standard activities:

• abundant watering;
• regular weeding and loosening;
• root zone mulching;
• hilling to the level of the lower leaves;
• soil enrichment with a complex of mineral fertilizers at least 2 times per season;
• protection against diseases and pests.

At the end of the ripening period, large heads can break the cabbage stem, so experienced gardeners recommend making small props.

Cabbage Megaton F1 is an advanced hybrid that has a high immune response to the most common diseases. However, pests such as cabbage aphids, whiteflies, and cabbage moths can be affected by the crop. In the fight against these insects, regular preventive treatments of plants with special chemical and biological preparations, as well as planting nearby plants that repel insects, will help.