Brussels sprouts remain a niche crop in Ukrainian vegetable production despite their strong market potential and high added value. At the same time, new scientific evidence confirms that profitability depends not only on the variety, but critically on the planting scheme itself, reports EastFruit.
This is demonstrated by recent research conducted by scientists of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP) and published by Propozitsiya. According to V. Kutovenko, PhD in Agricultural Sciences, and R. Havrylenko (NUBiP Ukraine), Brussels sprouts are still underestimated in Ukraine, despite their significant commercial prospects. “A promising crop for Ukraine is Brussels sprouts, which are characterised by high taste qualities, rich biochemical composition and low energy value,” the authors note.
The researchers emphasise that the sprouts contain easily digestible proteins, vitamins C, PP, K, B-group vitamins, carotene, mineral salts and fibre, making the crop attractive for healthy nutrition and food processing.
Why Brussels sprouts remain a niche crop
Despite these advantages, Brussels sprouts are still not widely cultivated. One of the main reasons, according to the researchers, is the lack of well-developed cultivation technologies. “In Ukraine, Brussels sprouts belong to the group of мало-поширених crops. One of the reasons is the insufficient study of improved cultivation practices, particularly planting schemes,” Kutovenko and Havrylenko explain.
Planting density directly influences crop formation, uniformity of sprouts and plant resistance to stress factors. “Optimising the feeding area improves photosynthetic activity, promotes more uniform sprout formation, reduces disease incidence and pest damage,” the scientists emphasise.
How planting density was studied
The study was conducted using the hybrid Franklin F1 at the experimental fields of NUBiP Ukraine. As the authors report, three planting schemes were tested: “The following schemes were studied: 70 × 50 cm (28.6 thousand plants/ha), 70 × 40 cm (35.7 thousand plants/ha), and 70 × 30 cm (47.6 thousand plants/ha). The 70 × 50 cm scheme was used as the control.”
Harvesting was carried out in two stages — in late September and late October. “During the first harvest, approximately one third of the total yield was collected… Part of the produce was damaged by pests,” the researchers note.
The second harvest, however, showed a different result: “During the second harvest, the sprouts had larger size, higher density and better uniformity, which positively affected product quality.”
Planting density determines maturity timing
Scientists recorded a clear relationship between planting density and crop development speed. “The onset of technical maturity at densities of 28.6 and 35.7 thousand plants/ha occurred on the 37th and 39th day, while at 47.6 thousand plants/ha it occurred on the 42nd day,” the study states.
Thus, excessive density not only reduces quality but also delays market entry. Where the most profitable yield is formed The most convincing results were obtained at the lowest planting density. “The highest number of sprouts was formed under the 70 × 50 cm scheme — 75 sprouts per plant. They also had the highest average weight — 6.3 g, and the highest total mass per plant — 472 g,” note Kutovenko and Havrylenko.
By contrast, under dense planting: “The smallest number of sprouts was formed under the 70 × 30 cm scheme — 57 sprouts per plant, with a total mass of 417 g.”
Product quality: a difference of up to 11%
Planting scheme also directly affected marketable yield. “The highest marketability was recorded under the 70 × 50 cm scheme — 97%… The lowest under the 70 × 30 cm scheme — 86%,” the authors emphasise.
For commercial producers, this represents a difference of tens of tonnes of marketable produce per hectare.
What this means for the market
The NUBiP study provides a practical roadmap for farmers considering Brussels sprouts as a high-margin niche crop. Lower planting density ensures: earlier market entry, larger and more uniform sprouts, higher marketable yield, improved production profitability.
Combined with the growing trend toward healthy diets, this opens new opportunities for Brussels sprouts in Ukraine — provided that correct agronomic decisions are made already at the planting stage.
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