Electric aided and bud pollination: which method to use for self-seed production in cole crops (Brassica oleracea L.)?

Summary

With Brussels sprouts, Savoy and white cabbage different pollination methods were compared for their efficiency in producing self-seed. Besides bud pollination (BP), also the steel brush and electric aided pollination (EAP) method were used. The steel brush method was found to be considerably less effective than BP and EAP. With BP the mean number of seeds per fruit was higher than with EAP. However, this was compensated for by a higher percentage of fruit setting with EAP. Although the clones responded differently to EAP and BP, the total self-seed production per pollination was the same with either method.

With EAP open flowers can be selfed. This implies that EAP can be carried out by untrained people in about 60% of the time experienced bud-pollinators require.