How to grow white mustard (Sinapis alba)

oscarcede (64)in #farms • 5 years ago (edited)

Hello, friends of steemians, today's topic is about the cultivation of white mustard, this plant is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, since it adapts to a wide variety of soils and climates. The mustard can be planted in the home, either in pots or directly on the garden floor, and in this way we can take advantage of its fresh leaves as a condiment in the preparation of many recipes in the kitchen.

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Mustard is a plant belonging to the Crucifera family. There are several types or species of mustard, among them we have the white mustard (Sinapis alba), the black mustard (Brassica nigra) and the Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). But this time I will talk specifically about the white mustard plant, also known as yellow mustard because of the color of its flowers.

Propagation of mustard

White mustard, like most other species, propagates through its seeds, and to start mustard cultivation we have two options, the first is to produce seedlings in boxes or germination trays and then transplant them all over the soil, and the second option is to plant them. Seeds directly on the ground in the place where we want to establish the plants. Any of these modalities gives good results, but if it is commercial crops, that is, in large quantities, the best method is by transplant.

Ideal climate for mustard

White mustard prefers cold climates, although it is able to adapt to different climates.
If we want to grow this species for economic purposes in the open field, it is recommended that these crops be established in areas of temperate climates, with average temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
When we are going to grow mustard to produce seeds, it is advisable to start cultivation in the spring season, between March and April, so that the seeds develop well.

Characteristics of the white mustard plant.

This plant can reach a size of up to 75 cm in height, erect, branched, with rigid hairs.

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The size of its leaves is between 5 and 15 cm long and 2 to 6 cm wide, rough, smooth, with the terminal lobe much larger than the lateral ones, generally they have 3 lobes, coarsely and irregularly toothed; upper leaves sub-equal lobed, sinuous-toothed.
The inflorescences in clusters of many flowers, extracted, up to 30 cm long in the fruit.
Its flowers are 10 mm in diameter, yellow, with peduncle up to 14 mm long in the fruit.
The seeds have a diameter of 2 mm, alveolate, and pale brown.

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Preparing the soil for the sowing of mustard.

For the mustard plants to have a better development, sandy loam soils are needed, with enough organic material or manure, and free of weeds. Most of these species prefer soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.

When it comes to commercial crops of large tracts of land, it is necessary to use agricultural tractors to plow the land, usually two steps are crossed with the step to make the land is loose and free of clods.

Plantation frame

Direct sowing:

If we are going to sow the seeds in the garden of our house, I recommend that you bury the seeds in rows at a distance of 30 centimeters between them.
If we want to sow the seeds in the open field, we proceed to place the seeds in rows, for this the seeds are buried next to the irrigation channels, these must have a separation of 30 centimeters between them and 60 centimeters between each row.

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Sowing of mustard by transplant:
Once the mustard seedlings have been produced in the nurseries or in the germination trays, the transplant is carried out, either in the orchards or in the field, in any of these cases the seedlings are sown in rows with a separation of 30 centimeters between them. .

Fertilization of mustard plants.

For the growth and development of white mustard it is important the application of fertilizers of formula N-P-K in all the phosphorus and potassium, the nitrogen can be applied in smaller quantity. It is also important to incorporate organic fertilizers into the soil based on manure and compost.

Uses of white mustard.

Uses in the kitchen:

Mustard is used as a condiment in the preparation of pickles and vinaigrettes.
Once the seeds are ground and mixed with other ingredients, you get a yellow pasta that is used in the preparation of many cooking recipes.

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The mustard leaves represent an exotic vegetable known for its characteristic aroma, and also have a high content of glucosinolates, important for health.
Mustard leaves are used in the preparation of rich creams and soups.
Mustard leaves are also used as a vegetable for the preparation of salads because of their mild and pleasant taste.