Research Article

Ann Agric Crop Sci. 2024; 9(4): 1162.

Evaluation of Improved Exotic Head Cabbage Varieties at Bale high Lands, South Eastern Ethiopia

Gemechu Ejigu*

Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research, Robe Bale, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Gemechu Ejigu, Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Sinana Agricultural Research, Robe Bale, Ethiopia. Email: gemechuejigu55@gmail.com

Received: July 29, 2024 Accepted: August 22, 2024 Published: August 29, 2024

Abstract

Evaluation of exotic head cabbage varieties was conducted to select the most adaptable variety which was/were high yielder, disease and insect tolerant and best fit for the study area. The field experiment was conducted during the 2021 and 2022 rainy season at three locations. Randomized complete block design with three replications were used; each plot consisted of six rows and seven plants per row having spacing of 40cm x 50cm (intra and inter row) respectively, on a plot size of 2.8m x 3m (Width and length respectively). Cabbage varieties those were commercially available on the market Rossen, Royal, Monarch, Green and Delta was used in the study. Widely cultivated variety Bakker brother was included as check. From this experiment the combined analysis over locations and years indicated that almost all phenological, growth, yield and yield components of cabbage are significantly influenced due to varieties. From the ANOVA analysis the longest days to head initiation [70.93] was recorded for Delta seed variety, while the minimum [63.13] was attained by Monarch seed variety. In terms of days to 90 % head maturity the highest record [110] was recorded from Delta seed variety, while the lowest [105.5] was from royal seed varieties. The maximum gross head yield [118.11 ton/ha] was recorded from the variety green seed followed by Monarch seed variety [111.21 ton/ha], while the smallest number [88.72 ton/ha] was from Bakker brothers’ variety. Similarly, the highest marketable yield [94.15 ton/ha] was green seed variety, the next also from monarch seed variety [85.42 ton/ha] and the minimum record [61.57 ton/ha] was from Bakker brothers’ variety. Finally, from this experiment we get the result that green seed and Monarch seed variety showed best performance in almost all tested agronomic parameters over the tested varieties, therefore these two exotic head cabbage varieties were recommended for the study area and similar agro-ecologies.

Keywords: Exotic head cabbage varieties; Gross head yield; Marketable yield; Parameters

Abbreviations: RCBD: Randomized Complete Block Design; ANOVA: Analysis of Variance.

Introduction

Vegetables are substantial sources of vitamins, fiber, minerals, anti-oxidant and plant proteins in human diet which are useful for ordinary functioning of body systems and avoidance of cancer. Vegetable farming is becoming expensive due to the rising use of purchased inputs such as pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to withstand production levels [13]. It was first originated in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea coast and the Mediterranean region, where it has been produced for more than three thousand years and is well adapted to cool moist conditions [14].

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is a critical Cole crops which is a member of the family Cruciferae or Brassicaceae with 2n=2x=18 chromosome number. This family includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mustard (greens), and collards. Communally, these crops are mentioned to as cole crops or crucifers Cabbage is assumed to have originated in Western Europe and it was the first cole crop to be grown [5]. Prior to growing and use as for consumptions, cabbage was principally used for medicinal purposes. In addition to the marketed fresh, cabbage is also processed into Kraut, egg rolls, and there is the option for other specialty markets for the numerous types comprising of red, savoy and mini cabbage [8].

Cabbage is an admirable source of Vitamin C. In addition to having some B vitamins, cabbage provides some potassium and calcium to the nutrition. Two hundred fifty millilitres of raw cabbage contain twenty one kilocalories [12]. Cabbage (containing several varieties of Brassica oleracea) is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant produced as an annual vegetable crop for its condensed-leaved heads. Plants are 40–60 cm tall at the matured vegetative stage [10]. According to [4], cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) ranks second in terms of production among the vegetables in Ethiopia behind red pepper (Capsicum spp.). A latest estimate shows that Africa has about one million hectares planted with head cabbage [7]. Commercial seed sales indicate that at least 40,000 ha of white-headed cabbage are grown in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; 10,000 ha in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe; 4,000 ha in Ethiopia; and 3000 ha in Cameroon. Ethiopia has substantial agro-ecological variability that shapes crop production areas across the country [2].

In Ethiopia, a total of 38 thousand hectares of land are used for its cultivation, yielding almost three hundred ninety-five thousand tons per hectare under irrigation and rain-fed conditions. As a compared to the world average, Ethiopia's cabbage production is very low [10.4 t ha-1] [6]. In terms of cabbage productivity, Japan and the Republic of Korea are the top two producers of cabbage in the world with 71.2 and 67.6 t ha-1, respectively [9].

In recent decades, head cabbage has become increasingly important in tropical and subtropical regions. Africa has been estimated to have 1 00,000 hectares planted with head cabbage [1]. At least 40,000 ha of white-headed cabbage is grown in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; 10,000 ha in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe; 4000 ha in Ethiopia; and 3000 ha in Cameroon [3]. Several reports have shown that vegetables can be planted throughout the year as long as there is enough moisture in the soil. Smallholder farmers in Kenya grow cabbage for food, income, and it is one of the most important vegetables.

The average cabbage head weighs between 0.5 and 4 kilograms, and it can be green, purple, or white. There are many types of green cabbage, but the most common are those with smooth and firm leaves. Savoy cabbages with smooth leaves and those with crinkle leaves are both uncommon. During the summer, high northern latitudes can experience extended sunny days that encourage cabbages to grow large. Cabbages can be consumed in many ways; they can be soured, fermented, steamed, parboiled, deep-fried, braised, or eaten raw [11].

Conducting cabbage adaptation will be helpful for breeders, seed companies, and farmers to evaluate varieties for adaptation to environment and yield, so they can select varieties that are best suited to the local environment and market. The high lands of Bale area have high potential for cabbage production. Improved cabbage cultivars are not yet adequately put under production and majority of the areas in the Bale zone are using unknown variety from unknown source; as a result, the production is resulted in low yield due to the lack of high yielding and disease/insect pest resistant variety/ies and scarcity of improved varieties and low access. Therefore, conducting evaluation of exotic head cabbage varieties is very important to solve these problems and increase income of the farmer.

Material and Methods

Description of the Study Area

The field experiment was conducted during 2021 and 2022 main cropping season at Sinana, Agarfa, and Gobba (Alloshe) locations of Bale zone. Sinana is located 463 Km southeast of Finfinne (Addis Ababa) and it has an altitude of 2400 m above sea level. It is located at 07007'N latitude and 40010'E longitude respectively. The periodic rainfall varies from 346 to 861 mm during the first rainy season (March to July) and 353 to 894 mm during the main season (August to December). The mean temperatures are 9.5 and 21°C (annual min and max respectively). Agarfa is situated at 7° 16' 12.32"N and 39° 49' 28.09"E latitude and longitude respectively and it has 362 km distance from Addis Ababa. Agarfa has Average minimum and maximum temperatures of 80C-230C and 86.34 millimetres average rainfall. Gobba is located about 446 km southeast of Addis Ababa; it has a latitude and longitude of 7°0'N 39°59'E respectively and an elevation of 2,743 meters above sea level. Gobba has average temperature of 8.60C-22.60C, and average rainfall of 1272mm per year. The majority of these woredas population livelihood relies on crop production and livestock production.

Treatments and Experimental Design

For the experiment RCBD with three replications were used. The spacing between plants and rows were 40cm x 50cm respectively, having plot size of 2.8m x 3m (Length and width respectively), each plot was consisted of six rows and seven plants per row. Cabbage varieties those were commercially available on the market Rossen, Royal, Monarch, Green and Delta was used in the study. A widely grown variety Bakker brother was included as check. Cabbage seedlings was raised on bed for one month and then transplanted. The trial was conducted during rainy season and all agronomic practices were applied to all varieties according to recommendations.

Figure 1: Response of cabbage varieties to days to head initiation and maturity.

    
    
    Figure 1: Response of cabbage varieties to days to head initiation and maturity.

Figure 2: Response of exotic head cabbage varieties to Gross and marketable head yield.

    
    
    Figure 2: Response of exotic head cabbage varieties to Gross and marketable head yield.

Data Management

Data was collected for phenological parameters (Days to head initiation, head maturity), Growth parameters (Plant height, number of expanded leaves per plant), and yield and yield components (Height of head, Diameter of head, Fresh weight of untrimmed and trimmed head, Gross head yield and Marketable yield).

Statistical Data Analysis

All the measured parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate to factorial experiment in RCBD according to the General Linear Model (GLM) of Gen Stat 15thedition [GenStat, 2012], then the data was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.3 and the interpretations were made following the procedure described by Gomez and Gomez (1984). Least Significance Difference (LSD) test at 5% probability level was used for treatment mean comparison when the ANOVA showed significant differences (Statistical Analytical System, [2003].

Results and Discussions

Phenological and Growth Parameters of Head Cabbage

The Combined over location analysis from two consecutive years indicated that Days to 50 % head initiation, Days to 90 % maturity, diameter of head and height of head were high significantly [P<0.01] influenced by variety.

From the ANOVA analysis the result indicated that the highest number of days to head initiation [70.93] was recorded for Delta seed variety, while the minimum (63.13) was attained by Monarch seed variety [Table 1]. In terms of days to 90 % head maturity the longest days to head maturity [110] and [109] was recorded from Delta seed and Bakker brothers variety, while the shortest [105.5 and 106.1] was from royal seed and Green seed varieties respectively. In case of number of leaves per plant the highest record [16.53] was from Green seed variety followed by monarch seed variety [16.29], and the lowest [14.20, 14.23, 14.47 and 14.82] was from Bakker brother, Delta seed, Royal seed and Rossen seed varieties respectively. In case of plant height there was no significant difference [P<0.05] among varieties.

Table 1: Mean value of Days to head initiation and maturity, Plant height and number of leaves.




  
    S.    No
    Varieties
    DHI
    DHM
    PH
    NL
  
  
    1
    Rossen Seed Variety
    69.07ab
    106.1b
    33.27
    14.82b 
  
  
    2
    Monarch Seed Variety
    63.13a
    100.9a
    31.79
    16.29a 
  
  
    3
    Royal Seed Variety
    69.93ab
    105.5b
    33.25
    14.47b 
  
  
    4
    Green Seed Variety
    66.40b
    106.1b
    32.53
    16.53a 
  
  
    5
    Delta Seed Variety
    70.93c
    110c
    34.57
    14.23b 
  
  
    6
    Bakker Brothers Variety
    70.40c
    109c
    33.31
    14.20b 
  
  
     
    Mean
    68.31
    106.09
    33.12
    15.091 
  
  
     
    Lsd
    2.719
    2.34
    NS
    0.63 
  
  
     
    CV
    4.4
    7
     
    5.7
  
  
    Means    within the same column followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly    different at 5% level of significance; LSD: Least Significant Difference; NS:    Not Significant; CV: Coefficient of Variation; DHI: Days to Head Initiation;    DHM: Days to Maturity, NL: Number of Leaves; PH: Plant Height.



Table 1: Mean value of Days to head initiation and maturity, Plant height and number of leaves.

Yield and Yield Components of Head Cabbage

The combined over location and year ANOVA result also showed that different varieties of cabbage had significant [P<0.05] effect on Diameter of head, height of head, fresh weight of trimmed and untrimmed head [Table 2].

Table 2: Mean value of head height and diameter, trimmed and untrimmed head weight, Gross and Marketable yield.




  
    S.    No
    Varieties
    HH
    DH
    FWUH    (gm)
    FWTH    (gm)
    GHY    (ton/ha)
    MY    (ton/ha)
  
  
    1
    Rossen Seed Variety
    20.72b 
    20.25a 
    2677c 
    2013c 
    87.44d 
    60.03d 
  
  
    2
    Monarch Seed Variety
    21.67a 
    21.38ab 
    3227b 
    2648b 
    111.21b 
    85.42b 
  
  
    3
    Royal Seed Variety
    20.26bc 
    18.81c 
    2700c 
    2066c 
    93.28c 
    65.96cd 
  
  
    4
    Green Seed Variety
    22.26a 
    22.08a 
    3512a 
    2880a 
    118.11a 
    94.15a 
  
  
    5
    Delta Seed Variety
    19.49c 
    18.95c 
    2653c 
    2093c 
    91.07cd 
    64.81c 
  
  
    6
    Bakker Brothers Variety
    20.19bc 
    19.63c 
    2749c 
    2230c 
    88.72cd 
    61.57cd 
  
  
     
    Mean
    20.76 
    20.18 
    2920 
    2322 
    98.31 
    71.99 
  
  
     
    Lsd
    0.929 
    1.571 
    156.8 
    224.2 
    5.01 
    4.88 
  
  
     
    CV
    6.1
    10.7 
    7.3
    13.2
    7
    9.3
  
  
    Means    within the same column followed by the same letter (s) are not significantly    different at 5% level of significance; LSD: Least Significant Difference; CV:    Coefficient of Variation; HH: Height of Head; DH: Diameter of Head; FWUH:    Fresh Weight of Untrimmed Head; FWTH: Fresh Weight of Trimmed Head; GHY: Gross    Head Yield; MY: Marketable Yield



Table 2: Mean value of head height and diameter, trimmed and untrimmed head weight, Gross and Marketable yield.

The longest head height [22.26] was recorded by green seed variety followed by monarch variety [21.67], while the lowest [19.49] from Delta seed variety. Similarly, the largest diameter of head [22.08] was from green seed variety and the smallest [18.81] from royal seed variety. This result showed that genetic variation among the varieties can influence the growth characteristics of the crop that can have direct positive or negative influence on yield per hectare and its acceptance on the market [Table 2].

On the other hand, ANOVA result showed that these varieties of cabbage had high significantly affect [P<0.01] gross head yield and marketable head yield. The maximum gross head yield [118.11 t/ha] was recorded from the green seed variety and the next from monarch variety [111.21 t/ha] while the lowest [61.57 t/ha] gross head yield per hectare was recorded from Bakker bothers variety [Table 2].

Summary and Recommendation

Head Cabbage is increasingly becoming important vegetable produced for domestic markets. Farmers in the study area were practicing production of cabbage. However, they were not using well adapted and improved seed from known source. In the local market the seed of cabbage sold with small packed materials which have no direction for sowing which means unknown variety from unknown source. Due to these and other agronomic practices production and productivity per hectare was very low. In order to solve problems related to Lack of improved varieties and proper management practice’s introduction and adaptation of high yielding varieties with proper agronomic practices are very important. Therefore, this experiment was initiated with the objective to select varieties those are high yielding, resistant/tolerant to major diseases and insects. To minimize cabbage production constraints, we conduct this experiment using one widely cultivated variety with five improved exotic cabbage varieties at Agarfa, Sinana and Gobba locations of Bale zone, south eastern Ethiopia for two consecutive years by using Randomized complete block design with three replications having plot size of 2.8m x 3m for one experimental unit (plot).

From this study the combined analysis over locations and years indicated that almost all phenological, growth, yield and yield components of cabbage are significantly influenced due to varieties. The maximum gross head yield [118.11 ton/ha] was recorded from the variety green seed followed by Monarch seed variety [111.21 ton/ha], while the smallest number [88.72 ton/ha] was from Bakker brother’s variety. Similarly, the highest marketable yield [94.15 ton/ha] was green seed variety, the next also from monarch seed variety [85.42 ton/ha] and the minimum record [61.57 ton/ha] was from Bakker brother’s variety.

Generally, from this experiment we get the result that green seed and Monarch seed variety showed best performance in almost all tested agronomic parameters over the tested varieties. Therefore, as the Recommendation, Head cabbage growers at study area and similar agro ecologies should grow green seed and Monarch seed varieties for their short maturity period, good head height and diameter, and best marketable yield that distinguish them from other tested varieties.

Author Statements

Acknowledgement

We thank Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (OARI) for financing this experiment. We also thank the staff of Sinana Agricultural Research Center (SARC) for supplying all logistics during the conducting of the trial. We also acknowledge all Horticulture team of Sinana Agricultural Research Center for data collection and management of the trial.

References

Download PDF

Citation:Ejigu G. Evaluation of Improved Exotic Head Cabbage Varieties at Bale high Lands, South Eastern Ethiopia. Ann Agric Crop Sci. 2024; 9(4): 1162.

Home

Journal Scope

editorial Board

Instruction for Authors

Submit Your Article