Variability for Calcium and Magnesium Content in Brassica Vegetables

The aim of this study investigates the genotypic variation in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations among varieties, F1 hybrids, inbred lines, and local landraces of Brassica vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, knol-khol and Brussels sprouts, encompassing 47 accessions grown in crop improvement trials at the Vegetable Research Farm, Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed both within and between subspecies and genotypes. Chinese cabbage exhibited the highest mean Ca (3.05 mg g-1 DW) and Mg (1.67 mg g-1 DW) contents, while broccoli showed comparatively lower levels. Cluster analysis grouped accessions based on their mineral profiles, identifying high-mineral clusters (e.g., cabbage genotypes BC-76, Hari Rani Gol, and Chinese cabbage genotype CCSH-1) suitable for biofortification efforts, and low-mineral clusters (e.g., broccoli genotypes NS-50 and Hybrid No. 2) indicating reduced nutritional value. These findings align with previous research indicating substantial genetic variation in mineral accumulation among Brassica species. The observed variation is attributed to genetic differences and environmental factors influencing mineral uptake and translocation. Overall, the study underscores the potential for breeding programs to enhance the nutritional quality of Brassica vegetables by selecting genotypes with higher mineral concentration.