EFFECT OF MULCHING AND SPACING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CABBAGE (BRASSICA OLERACEA (L.) IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the 2020 cropping season (wet and dry season experiment) at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, to identify the mulching material most suitable for cabbage cultivation and to determine the effects of spacing on the growth and yield of cabbage. The experiment was laid out in a 2 x 5 factorial combinations in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The mulch materials used for the experiments were; black polyethylene plastic sheets, gliricidia, elephant grass, sunflower, and no mulching (control) while the planting spacing used were (45 cm x 45 cm, and 30 cm x 30 cm). Data were collected on plant height (cm), number of leaves, fruit weight (g), fruit length (cm), and fruit girth (cm). Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separation was done using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% probability level. Results from the study showed that significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among the mulching materials and spacing as well as the combined interaction of the two factors for all the parameters measured. Cabbage mulched with polyethylene plastic mulch had the highest height, number of leaves and yield parameters compared to the organic mulching materials (elephant, gliricidia, and sunflower). Cabbage planted at the spacing of 45 cm x 45 cm had the highest height, number of leaves and yield compared to 30 cm x 30 cm at 12 weeks after transplanting. At 12 weeks after transplanting, cabbage mulched with black polyethylene plastic sheets with a spacing of (45 cm x 45 cm), and other organic mulching material had a better performance compared to control at both spacing. Summary of findings from this study indicated that mulching cabbage with black polyethylene plastic sheet resulted in better cabbage fruit yield when compared with mulching with organic materials and no mulching. Cabbage planted at a spacing of 45 cm x 45 cm produces a higher yield when compared with other spacing used in this study.