Introduction to Bok choy
Bok choy: An Important Commodity in the Culinary World
Bok Choy (Brassica rapa L.) is a leaf vegetable that is very popular among Indonesian people. Bok Choy has a unique shape, with wide leaves and thick stalks, as well as a bright green color which indicates its high nutritional content. As a green vegetable, bok choy is rich in various vitamins, such as vitamins A, C, and K, and contains important minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, all of which play an important role in maintaining body health.
Regular consumption of bok choy provides many health benefits. Its antioxidant content, including beta-carotene, helps prevent the growth of cancer cells by fighting free radicals in the body. Apart from that, the potassium content in bok choy can help keep blood pressure stable, making it effective in preventing hypertension. For heart health, bok choy plays a role by supporting healthy cholesterol levels in the blood, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease.
How to Plant Bok choy
From Land Preparation to Abundant Harvest
Land Preparation
Land processing is carried out by hoeing the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm to get a loose soil texture.
Nursery
The first step in the nursery is to prepare a seedbed in the form of a bed with a layer of seedling media about 7 cm thick
Planting Bok Choy
The seeds selected are good seeds with upright stems, fresh green leaves and are not attacked by pests and diseases.
Routine care for maximum growth
Replanting can be done as early as possible, ideally when the plants are around 15 days after planting
Correct Harvesting Method for Quality Results
Bok Choy can be harvested when the plants are around 25-35 days after planting (DAP).
Binomial name
Scientific Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Division
Spermatophyta
Sub division
Angiospermae
Klasis
Dicotyledoneae
Ordo
Rhoeadales
Famili
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Species
Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis
The Origin of Bok Choy
From China to Indonesia
Bok choy plants originate from China and several regions in East Asia. In China, pak choy has been cultivated for a long time and is an important crop in agriculture. Before it was known in Indonesia, Bok choy was first introduced in Taiwan and the Philippines, one of the countries in Southeast Asia. Then, around the 19th century, through cross-border trade activities, pak choy began to be known and cultivated in Indonesia.
Bok choy Commodity Production Centers in Indonesia
West Java
Central Java
East Java
North Sumatra
South Sulawesi
2 Interesting Facts
Bok choy contains lots of vitamins C, A, and K, which are good for healthy skin and immunity.
Bok choy vegetables are low in calories but rich in fiber, making them suitable for a healthy diet.
Bok choy Nutritional Content
Per (100 grams)
Protein
1,0 gr
Fat
0,1 gr
Carbohydrate
1,7 gr
Fiber
0,8 gr
Calcium
56 mg
Phosphor
42 mg
Sodium
5 mg
Copper
0,05 mg
Zinc
0,1 mg
Potassium
193,1 mg
Iron
1,1 mg
Vitamin A
862
Vitamin B1
0,05 mg
Vitamin B2
0,18 mg
Vitamin B3
0,4 mg
Vitamin C
3 mg
Key Health Benefits
Lowers Blood Pressure and Reduces the Risk of Heart Disease
Bok choy is a vegetable that is rich in folate, calcium and potassium, which contributes to managing blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. In addition, vitamin B6 and folate play a role in reducing the production of homocysteine, a compound that can damage blood vessels and heart muscle.
Maintain Eye Health
The vitamin A and antioxidant beta carotene content in bok choy supports eye health and helps prevent eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts
Strengthens Bones
Bok choy contains various important nutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin K which play a role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth. This vegetable is also a good source of plant-based calcium for individuals who do not consume animal milk products.
Maintains a Healthy Digestive System
The fiber contained in bok choy is very beneficial for the digestive system, helping to relieve symptoms of stomach pain, diarrhea and constipation, especially in individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease.
Improves the Immune System
The selenium content in bok choy functions to improve the immune system, so that the body can be more effective in fighting dangerous bacteria and viruses.
Maintain healthy skin
The vitamin C contained in bok choy contributes to the production of collagen, which is important for maintaining moisture, elasticity and smooth skin. In addition, the antioxidants in bok choy help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Supports Healthy Pregnancy
The folate content in bok choy is very important to maintain the health of pregnancy and fetal development, and can help prevent complications such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Bok Choy Varieties
Bok Choy Varieties You Should Know
Nauli F1
Nauli F1 is a superior bok choy variety that is suitable for planting in the low to medium plains. This plant has an optimal height of between 22 and 25 cm, with large, sturdy stems The leaves of the Nauli F1 bok choy are dark green and shiny, giving it a fresh and attractive appearance
Green Pakcoy
Green Pakcoy Putsoi is a superior bok coy variety that is suitable for planting in the lowlands at an altitude of around 28-50 meters above sea level. This variety is able to adapt well to tropical climates, making it a good choice for farmers in hot climates
White Pakcoy
White pakcoy has excellent adaptability, both in the low and highlands and can grow optimally in various weather conditions, both in the rainy and dry seasons. White pak choy can be harvested in a relatively short time, namely 27 days after transplanting with the potential for extraordinary yields reaching around 45 tons per hectare.
Interesting Pakcoy Facts
Even though mustard greens are not part of the annual crops exported, their growth shows a higher increase than potatoes, spinach and kale, although they are still below the growth rate of carrots (BPS, 2019).
Mustard (Brassica rapa L.) is recorded by BPS as a plant that is harvested by uprooting after the harvest period is over. In 2018, pak choy production reached 1,503,446 tons with a productivity of 6.59 tons per hectare.
Economic and Market Potential
Bok Choy Onions: An Export Commodity with Great Potential
In Indonesia, market demand for vegetables, especially bok choy mustard greens, continues to increase every year. This can be seen from the production data on Pakcoy mustard greens which experienced changes from 2015 to 2017, with production amounts respectively amounting to 565,636 tonnes in 2015, 562,838 tonnes in 2016, and 583,770 tonnes in 2017 (Directorate General of Horticulture, 2017).
Releated Article
Learn More About Red Pakcoy Here
Easy to grow and quick to harvest, spinach is one....
Chili peppers are a type of vegetable that can grow....
Spinach is the second most consumed vegetable commodity after kale,....