CABBAGE: PLANTING GUIDE
CABBAGE (CHINESE, RED ROCK, GLORIA F1, PRUKTOR F1, QUEEN F1, POLO F1, SERENA F1)
INTRODUCTION: Cabbage is the most common member of the Brassica family, which includes
Kale, Cauliflower, Brussels’ sprouts etc. Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetable regularly
used.
Climate: It is a temperate crop and performs well under cool temperature. However cabbage
varieties that are suitable for tropical climate (can tolerate warm temperature) are currently
available in the market. Thus selection of the right varieties is of utmost importance. Hybrids
are preferred for better and higher yields.
Soil: Well drained, sandy loam soils with high organic matter content are better suited for
cabbage, with PH range of 6.5 – 7.0.
Land Preparation: The land ploughed and harrowed to fine tilth. Open furrow at 60-60 cm.
Manure/fertilizer:
Manure-Spread 8-10 tons/acre farm yard manure before final sowing to mix well.
Fertilizer-Basal application-DAP 75kg/acre (avoid using DAP in acidic soil) or any other
recommended planting fertilizer.
Top dressing- CAN 75kg/acre ( 4 week after transplanting), 75kg/acre (after 7 weeks).
Sowing: Plants that are slow in germination and growth such as cabbage should be started in
the nursery. Raised or sunken nursery beds about 1 m wide should be well fertilized with
phosphate and organic manure. Broadcast the fertilizer and sow the seed thinly along the drills
about 10cm apart and cover lightly with soil. Shade the nursery and water once or twice a day.
Harden the seedlings by reducing shade and increasing watering interval before transplanting,
seedlings should be transplanted about 4 weeks after sowing.
Seed rate: 100 –120 gm/acre
Transplanting: Select vigorously growing and healthy seedlings, preferably transplant seedling
during evening hours to reduce seedling mortality. Spacing for early maturing cabbage-45 cm
between rows *45 cm between plants, medium maturing cabbages- 60cm between rows*
60cm between plants.
Crop management: Cabbages should be watered regularly; water stress during head formation
stage reduces total yield and result in poor quality heads. proper care should be taken to
control pests and disease during growing periods. High humid and wet conditions favors’
spread of disease, particularly Black rot.
Expected crop population: early maturing 18,000-20,000. Late maturing 11,000-12,000 plants
Harvesting: Crop will be ready for harvest According to maturity period of variety. Irrigation
should be stopped one week prior to harvest crop. Compact and fully formed heads cut at
ground level with few outer leaves and packed in bags or directly loaded into trucks.
Yield: 30-42 ton/acre.
Pests and Diseases
Pests
Cabbage Aphids: Brevicoryne brassicae
These appear as masses of soft, pale green insects covered by mealy powder. They feed in
clusters on the underside of leaves and occasionally on stems. Infested leaves become yellow as
a result of the feeding. If infestation occurs on young seedling they are stunted and distorted.
Heavy infestation may cause death of seedling.
Control: chemical spray e.g Alphadime, Thunder, Actara etc
Diamond back moth: plutella xylostella:
The first larvae instars behave like miners. They mine the lower epidermis leaving transparent
tissues of the upper epidermis. A condition commonly referred to as windowing. Later larvae
instars, normally feed through the leaf blade making rounded holes. These then enlarge and the
leaves appear skeletonized.
Control: Buldock Star, Duduthrin, Karate etc
Cut worms: Agrotis spp They are grey to black caterpillars that feed during night. They bite side
of the stem at ground level causing plant to fall over, or cut completely. They hibernate in soils
during day time, fond hidden in soils near cut seedlings.
Control: Dursban
Disease
Black rot: Xanthomonas campestris
On young seedlings a yellowing appears along the margin of the cotyledons which later shrivels
and drops off. On margins of mature leaves, similar yellowing appears. Initially, a v-shaped area
develops but as the diseased area enlarges the veins become distinctly black.
The disease development is favored by warm and humid conditions.
The affected stem when cut crosswise shows a characteristic black ring. In later stages the
entire head turns black and soft rot bacteria may then enter and cause the head to rot and
develops an offensive odor.
Control: crop rotation. Use resistant varieties e.g Queen F1, appropriate recommended
chemical and field hygiene.
Cabbage Ring spot: Mycosphaerella brassicicola
Attacks mainly older and lower foliage and premature defoliation results. Circular brown grey
spots up to 2 cm in diameter are observed on the leaves. On the stems and lower leafy midribs,
spots oval or rectangular in shape. On stored cabbage can penetrate deeply into the heart, thus
requiring considerable trimming before sale.
Contol: Early application of protective fungicide especially copper based, metalaxyl and
macozeb
