1.2      Sowing or planting.

Seed beds.

      The most common method is to sow the seeds in prepared seed beds and
transplanting seedlings into the field, however they can be planted directly into the
field or into small polythene pots /trays before being planted out.

      It is not advisable to establish seedbeds on the same site more than once in three
years, because of the risk of a build-up of pests and diseases, especially bacterial
diseases.

      Fumigate the seed bed area if nematodes are a problem, apply EDB at 60ml/m2 at a
depth of 150 -200mm. Fumigation must be carried out in the moist at least 3 weeks
before sowing. After 3 weeks the soil is irrigated and prepared for planting.

      Seedbeds should be level, 1m X 10m and at least 5 seedbeds are sufficient for a
hectare.

      Apply manure/compost at a rate of 3kg/m² and 60grams of Compound S or

Compound D for each bed.

Seed rate.

·         300-450g of seed required to plant out one hectare.

·         Use of certified disease-free seed or retained seed after treatment to control

Bacterial Black Rot, a seed borne disease of cabbage.

Seed treatment.

·         Water is heated to 50°C,

·         Then removed from the source and a cloth bag containing some seeds is
immersed in the hot water for 25minutes.

·         Hot water is added to maintain the temperature at 50°C. 

·         The seed is then removed, dried and dusted with 2g Thiram per kilogram seed
(0.5 – 1.0g/m2) so as to prevent damping off.

 Planting.

       It takes 7 – 14 days from germination to emergence and seedlings are ready
for transplanting 4 – 6 weeks days after sowing, depending upon variety, growing
conditions and age of the seed.

o    Five true leaves have formed.

 o   100-150mm tall and pencil thick.

o   Vigorously growing seedling

o   Well hardened seedling.

       Hardening, this refers to the process of withholding moisture for a few days
before transplanting. It conditions plants and enables them to survive the
transplanting stress or shocks.
       To facilitate management and harvesting it is advisable to plant plants of the
same size in the same area.

Spacing:

       Plant spacing varies depending on the variety or cultivar of cabbage grown,

soil condition, time to reach maturity and the head size desired.
       Use the wider spacing for growing big-headed cultivars for industrial use and
the narrower spacings for small-headed cultivars or modifying head size of the
large-headed varieties.

Variety. In-row(mm) Row spacing Population/ha

(mm).

Early. 300 450 74 000

  450 450 49 300

Mid- 450 500 44 400

season

  500 600 33 300

Late. 450 750 29 600

  600 750 22 200

 Plant populations of 40 000 to 45 000 per hectare are suggested for large-
headed types while for cultivars with medium-sized heads, populations of 55 000
to 65 000 plants per hectare are said to be ideal. For baby cabbage, populations
of 80 000 to 100 000 plants per hectare are recommended.
 It is recommended that large-headed cultivars should be planted 600 to 700 mm
apart between rows and 450 mm apart within rows. Smaller-headed varieties are
planted 600 mm between rows and 300 mm within rows.

 .3      Fertilizer requirements.

Initial dressing.
    Cabbage belongs to that group of vegetable crops giving response to fertility.
 Fertilisation should be done after soil analysis results , however it is generally
recommended pre-planting /initial/basal dressing of Compound S at 1 000kg per
hectare can be incorporated into the soil.
 Cabbage is a heavy feeder. 20-25 tonnes per hectare of manure a month prior
planting.
 It requires boron element at 35kg per hectare of fertilizer borate or Solubor, this
should be applied once, before or soon after planting, however the rate must not
be exceeded.
  Symptoms boron deficiency are hollow stems and brown necrotic areas.

Top dressing

       All Brassicas are generally supplied with twice top dressing of 100kg per
hectare of ammonium nitrate at intervals of 3 weekly intervals after transplanting.

1.4      Irrigation.

       Most roots are in the top 600mm. Soil water depletion should not exceed
35mm in sandy soils or 45mm in heavier textured soils.
       Maintain a constant level of moist soil throughout the growing period to avoid
a check on growth and development. Water regularly especially after
transplanting until the head is firm when watering should be reduced to prevent
head splits.

Approximate frequency of irrigation (Assuming no rain falls between

applications) in days between applications

Assumed planting out First month of planting Remainder of growing

date out period

(days) (days)

  Application of 35mm net per irrigation

     

April 12 8
 August 8 5

December 10 6

  Application of 45 mm net per irrigation

April 16 10

August 10 6

December 12 8

 CABBAGE DISEASES

Bacterial black rot - A bacterial disease. It is a common disease in the rain season or
in overhead irrigation. It spreads through:

 planting infected seed or diseased transplants ,

 Plant to plant or splashes from infected soil or manure.
 Optimum temperature for the disease development is 26-30°C.
 Water, in form of either rain or persistent dew, is required for disease
development.

Symptoms - It appears at any stage of plant growth. The disease is first indicated by
yellowing of the leaves and blackening of the veins. Later the plants show dwarfing
and one sided heads. If the disease attacks the plants early no heads will be formed.
Leaves turn a brownish - goldish color.

Prevention and control - Use clean seeds, as the disease causing organism is carried
over by seeds. Practice crop rotation. Adequate fertilization of the cabbages so as to
ensure uninterrupted growth of the crop. Field sanitation is important. Hot water must
be maintained at 50 degrees and the seed is not in direct contact with the hot water.
 Bacterial soft rot – it is caused by bacteria

Symptoms are - cabbage turns soft and rotten with a bad and rancid smell.