Cabbage is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber. It has also been shown to be an anti-carcinogenic, especially when eaten raw. This nutritional powerhouse is available in several different forms, many of which can be very inspirational when it comes to human diet.
Common varieties: Prize drum head, Copenhagen, Golden acre, Sugar loaf, Fortuna, Tristar, Red cabbage (mammoth red and red acre)
Hybrids: Gloria F1, Early market F1, Globe master F1, Super master F1, Riana F1, Oxylus, Chinese cabbage, Santa F1, ruby ball (red cabbage), Rotan F1, Quisor F1, Blue dynasty F1, Zawadi F1 etc
Ecological requirements
Altitude: 800-3000m above sea level
Rainfall: at least 500mm annually
Soils: fertile well drained with high water holding capacity, ph 6-6.5
Temperature: 15-200C
Land preparation
Carry out land clearing and tilling during dry spell so that planting can coincide with the rains
Seedlings propagation and transplanting
Raise seedlings on a nursery and transplant when they attain 15-20cm stem diameter with 4-6 true leaves. Seed rate should range from 300-500g per hectare. Transplant seedlings at a spacing of 30-60cm by 45-60cm (that is 30 by60cm, 30by 45cm, 45 by 60cm or 60cm by 60cm) depending on the variety.
Fertilizer application
At planting apply 10g 0f DAP per hole, top dress with 10g CAN per plant (250kg per hectare)
Weed control
Should be done shallowly. Mulching can be done to smoother the weeds
Pest control
Diamond backmoth: use Beauvitech, preserve natural enemies, spray appropriate insecticides eg Match
Aphids: use Beauvitech or suitable insecticide
Cut worms: use suitable insecticide
Cabbage sawfly: destroy volunteer crops, mechanical larvae destruction, crop rotation
Slugs: use slug pellets, drawn the slugs in water
Disease management
Black rot: practice field hygiene, crop rotation, use certified seeds, seed treatment with hot water 500C for 30 minutes
Bacterial of rot: Practice crop rotation, disinfect harvesting tools, spray copper based fungicides eg copper nodox
Bacterial leaf spot: Practice crop rotation, use certified seeds, spray copper based fungicides egdelmidex
Downy mildew: Crop rotation, good nursery and field hygiene, use suitable fungicide egridomil
Black leg/dry rot canker: Practice crop rotation, use certified seeds, field hygiene, use suitable fungicide egpolygram
Dark leaf spot: Practice field hygiene and crop rotation
Harvesting
The crop matures in 3-4 months after transplanting depending on variety. Cut the heads at the base leaving 3-4 wrapper leaves to protect the head and keep it fresh. Yield range from 50-100 tons per hectare.
Post-harvest handling
Care should be taken not to bruise the heads as this encourage rotting. Leaves with signs of soft rot should be removed selectively as this can lead to rotting of the cabbages.