CABBAGE BASIC

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Introduction
Cabbage is the second most important cole crop, which originated in Europe and in the Mediterranean region after cauliflower. The vegetable, which was limited in use till 1960s have now got very popular as the awareness about its high nutritive value, has grown. It is also being increasingly used in fast food, which has also shown tremendous growth in recent years. At present India comes next to China in cabbage production.

Area Of Cultivation

In recent years tremendous increase in the area of cabbage cultivation has been recorded. Cabbage is grown throughout the year in one or the other parts of the country. The major cabbage-growing states are Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Punjab.

Season

Cabbage is primarily a winter season crop. The seeds for cabbage crops are sown from he middle of September to the end of October.

Cultivation

Seed rate for the early cabbage crop is 600 to 750 gms per hectare and for late crop 400 g per hectare. In the hills, the seeds are planted at a spacing of 45 cm each way for the early crop. The row-to-row distance is increased to 60 cm for late varieties.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Management

For best results, 15 to 20 tonnes of farmyard manure, compost or sludge should be incorporated into the soil about four weeks before transplanting. Sixty kg of nitrogen, 80 kg of phosphorus and 40 kg of potassium per hectare should be applied just before transplanting. A top-dressing of 60 kg of nitrogen, about six weeks after transplanting at the time of earthling-up, is recommended.

Water Management

Water must be supplied in ensure continuous growth. An early crop may need irrigation twice a week till the start of the rains. The late crop may be irrigated once a week, depending on the soil and the weather condition.

Harvesting

Cabbage heads are harvested when they attain full size and become hard.