Introduction and Importance:
Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) of family cruciferae is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Trends, Area, Production and Yield:
There has been a progressive increase in area and production of cabbage in Pakistan. In 1998-99, the area increased to 4.06 thousand ha, production 62.2 thousand tonnes and yield was 15.3 tnnes/ha. The data since 1993-94 are as follows:
Table-1. Area, production and yield of Cabbage in Pakistan (1993-94 to 1998-99)
Year |
Area (000ha) |
Production (000 tonnes) |
Yield t/ha |
|
1993-94 |
3.08 |
45.13 |
14.7 |
|
1994-95 |
3.24 |
47.91 |
14.8 |
|
1995-96 |
3.69 |
56.48 |
15.3 |
|
1996-97 |
3.84 |
58.65 |
15.3 |
|
1997-98 |
3.95 |
60.04 |
15.2 |
|
1998-99 |
4.06 |
62.18 |
15.3 |
The average shares of the provinces in the over all area and production of cabbage, based on the data of 1998-99 crop are given in the following table..
Table-2. Shares of Provinces in area and production of cabbage (1998-99)
|
Province |
Area |
Production
|
||
|
|
000 hectare |
Percent share |
000 tonnes |
Percent shares
|
|
Punjab |
1.67 |
41.13 |
33.86 |
54.45 |
|
Sindh |
1.58 |
38.91 |
18.94 |
30.46 |
|
NWFP |
0.48 |
11.83 |
3.61 |
5.80 |
|
Baluchilstan |
0.33 |
8.13 |
5.78 |
9.29 |
|
Pakistan |
4.06 |
100 |
62.19 |
100 |
Climate
Cabbage is a cool season vegetable. The optimum temperature for growth and heading is between 15°C and 20oC. Above 25oC, the growth is arrested.
Soil
Cabbage thrives best on soils that retain moisture. A soil in the pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 is the best.
Seed rate, nursery raising, transplanting and spacing
A seed rate of 200-500 g is enough for raising seedlings for one hectare. For production of seedlings, seed is sown in seed beds 4-6 weeks before transplanting in the field. The cultivars may be spaced at 30-40 cm between the plants and 50-60 cm between the rows.
Manuring and Fertilizing
Well rotten farm yard manure @ 25-30 tonnes/ha should be thoroughly spread and ploughed under during land preparation. General recommendation for chemical fertilizers is 100 kg N, 75 kg P2 O5 and 50 kg of K2O per hectare. For better results, full quantity of P2O5 and K2O and half quantity of N should be applied before transplanting. Remaining half of N should be applied four to six weeks after transplanting with subsequent irrigation.
Irrigation
Seedlings should be watered immediately after transplanting and thereafter irrigation should be applied at fortnightly interval. Watering should be avoided at the time of head maturity since this causes splitting of heads.
Hoeing and Weeding
The crop should be kept free of weeds by hoeing. Three to four hoeings are required to keep the weeds under control.
Harvesting
Harvesting should be done when the heads are firm. The mature heads should be cut with a knife along with some wrapper leaves.
