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Reference · Crops

Brassicaceae

The Brassicaceae family, historically known as Cruciferae, comprises a diverse group of essential agricultural crops. This family includes staples such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, rapeseed, and mustard. These plants are globally significant due to their nutritional value, industrial applications, and high economic yield in modern farming systems.

Main sections

Moricandia6 Lobularia3 Matthiola3 Morettia3 Mustard3 Megacarpaea2 Litwinowia1 Lonchophora1 Lycocarpus1 Macropodium1 Malcolmia1 Microthlaspi1 Morisia1 Muricaria1 Nasturtiopsis1 Nerisyrenia1 Neslia1 Notoceras1 Notothlaspi1 Ochthodium1
666 sections

What the section contains

Lippiza cress Rorippa lippizensis Little western bittercress Cardamine oligosperma Litwinowia Litwinowia 1 item Lobularia Lobularia 3 items Lobularia arabica Lobularia arabica Lobularia hybrids Lobularia hybrids Lobularia libyca Lobularia libyca Lonchophora Lonchophora 1 item London rocket Sisymbrium irio Lycocarpus Lycocarpus 1 item Macropodium Macropodium 1 item Madagascar cress Rorippa madagascariensis Maderan wallflower Erysimum maderense Malcolmia Malcolmia 1 item Malcolmia chia Malcolmia chia Malcolmia crenulata Malcolmia crenulata Malcolmia exacoides Malcolmia exacoides Malcolmia flexuosa Malcolmia flexuosa Malcolmia graeca Malcolmia graeca Malcolmia macrocalyx Malcolmia macrocalyx Malcolmia orsiniana Malcolmia orsiniana Malcolmia pygmaea Malcolmia pygmaea Malcolmia ramosissima Malcolmia ramosissima Malcolmia triloba Malcolmia triloba Maresia nana Maresia nana Maresia pulchella Maresia pulchella Marschall's Wallflower Erysimum marschallianum Marsh yellowcress Rorippa palustris Marshall's Wallflower Erysimum marshallii Matthiola Matthiola R. Br. corr. Spreng. 3 items McDonald's rockcress Arabis macdonaldiana Mediterranean cabbage Brassica fruticulosa Megacarpaea Megacarpaea 2 items Menzies' wallflower Erysimum menziesii Microthlaspi Microthlaspi 1 item Morettia Morettia 3 items Moricandia Moricandia 6 items Morisia Morisia 1 item Mountain cabbage Brassica montana Mountain pepperweed Lepidium montanum Mountain wallflower Erysimum jugicola Murbeckiella boryi Murbeckiella boryi Murbeckiella pinnatifida Murbeckiella pinnatifida Murbeckiella sousae Murbeckiella sousae Murbeckiella zanonii Murbeckiella zanonii Muricaria Muricaria 1 item Mustard Sinapis 3 items Narrow-leaf bittercress Cardamine impatiens Nasturtiopsis Nasturtiopsis 1 item Neotorularia contortuplicata Neotorularia contortuplicata Neotorularia torulosa Neotorularia torulosa Nerisyrenia Nerisyrenia 1 item Neslia Neslia 1 item Nile pepperwort Lepidium niloticum Nine-leaved bittercress Cardamine enneaphyllos Norwegian whitlow-grass Draba norvegica Notoceras Notoceras 1 item Notothlaspi Notothlaspi 1 item Ochthodium Ochthodium 1 item Odontarrhena Odontarrhena 1 item

Brassicaceae

The origins of the Brassicaceae family are traced back to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, where they were domesticated thousands of years ago. Today, their range of cultivation extends to almost every climate zone, from temperate Northern Europe to arid regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Their wide adaptability has made them a cornerstone of global agriculture.

Botanically, these plants are identified by their four-petaled flowers arranged in a cross-like pattern, which serves as the primary diagnostic feature. They produce fruit in the form of a silique or silicle. Many species are biennial, developing a vegetative rosette in the first year and producing flowers and seeds in the second, although many modern cultivars are annuals bred for rapid harvest.

The cultivation requirements for Brassicaceae include fertile, well-draining soil with a near-neutral pH. They are notably sensitive to soil acidity, which can facilitate the spread of clubroot, a serious fungal disease. Consistent moisture and moderate temperatures are preferred, as high heat can negatively impact the quality and yield of leafy and cruciferous vegetable parts.

  • Cruciferous flea beetles as primary pests
  • Management of clubroot and downy mildew
  • High density of planting and rotation needs
  • Rich in antioxidants and glucosinolates

Economically, Brassicaceae plants serve various purposes: from fresh vegetable consumption to industrial oil production and green manure application. As cover crops, they are highly valued for their ability to suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Continuous research into disease-resistant varieties ensures that this family remains a pillar of food security and sustainable farming worldwide.