Response of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata) to Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Growth and Yield Parameters and Incidence of Insect Pest

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted for two cropping seasons at the Multipurpose Crop Nursery of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development Mampong-Ashanti, from August to November, 2015and June to September, 2016 to determine the response of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata) to organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and incidence of insect pest. The experimental design used for the field experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were: poultry manure (20 t ha-1) + Cypermetrine (30 l ha-1), cow dung (20 t ha-1) + Cypermetrine (30 l ha-1), N.P.K (15:15:15) (300 kg) + Cypermetrine (30 lha-1), foliar + Cypermetrine (30 l ha-1), poultry manure (20 t ha-1) + neem leaf extract, cow dung (20 t ha-1) + neem leaf extract, N.P.K (15:15:15)(300 kg) + neem leaf extract, foliar + neem leaf extract and the control (no fertilizer and no insecticide). The result revealed that the application of organic manure (poultry manure and cow dung) and inorganic fertilization is a better option for soil fertility enhancement in cabbage production.High percentage crop establishment (>95%) was achieved across treatments with NPK + Cypermetrine, poultry manure + neem, N.P.K (15:15:15) + Neem or Foliar fertilizer + neem achieving 100% crop establishment. The application of Cow dung+ NLE produced the highest number of open leaves in both seasons. Application of poultry manure and N.P.K combined with Cypermetrine significantly improved head weight and cabbage yield.Application of poultry manure combined with Cypermetrine or neem leaf extract produced earliest head initiation and widest head diameter.In conclusion cabbage growers are encouraged to use poultry manure at 20 t ha-1 and N.P.K (15:15:15) (300 kg) combined with Cypermetrine at 30 l ha -1 and neem leaf extract for the improvement of cabbage growth, yield and incidence of insect pest.