Cabbage is an annual leafy vegetable crop that is either green or purple in colour. Moreover, this vegetable is a rich source of vitamins A & C and minerals like phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium & iron.
You can eat Cabbage raw or cook it to make up a cuisine. Cultivation of cabbage in India is pursued in the plains region during winter. Interested in growing & harvesting this refreshing vegetable? Before you enquire about Swaraj 855 price, here are a few factors you must consider.
Technical factors to Sow, Grows & Harvest High-Quality Cabbage
Here are a few technical factors suitable for cultivating and harvesting high-quality cabbage vegetables in India.
Soil Requirements
Cabbage is suitable to grow on a wide range of soil. It is, however, suitable to grow on well-drained loamy soil with optimum water-holding capacity. The ph level of the solid should be better than 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal for this vegetable’s cultivation. Moreover, ensure the soil isn’t highly acidic.
Climatic Conditions
A temperature between 12-30°C is ideal for growing cabbage. Moreover, 400-600 mm of annual rainfall is important for cultivating cabbage in India. Relative humidity of about 90-100 % is suitable for cultivating cabbage. And for sowing specifically, the temperature range should be 25-30°C.
Land Preparation for Cabbage
Before sowing, the soil should have enough tilth by thoroughly ploughing and harrowing the field. To level the field, ploughing the field 3-4 times would be enough. This will help break the soil clods or lumps for a better mix of soil nutrients and retention of water. Adding well-decomposed cow dung in the soil during the last ploughing is highly beneficial. Swaraj tractors are best for preparing the fields as they operate on the field without decompressing the soil.
Before you enquire about Swaraj 742 price, let’s move towards other important factors required for cultivating this vegetable in India.
Irrigation System
The first irrigation is important immediately after transplanting. Depending on the type of soil and climatic conditions, irrigation at intervals of 10-15 days is ideal during the winter. Watering young seedlings is important when the seed is in the vegetative stage. However, avoiding heavy watering once the head forms is imperative, as this can cause their breakage.
Seed Treatment & Rate
Before the sowing stage, dip seeds in hot water for 30 minutes at a temperature of 50°C. Or dip them in 0.01gm/Ltr streptocycline for almost 2 hours.
After treating the seeds, dry them in the shade and later plant them on the bed. Blackrot is commonly observed in Rabi. So, to prevent this, carry seed treatment with Mercury chloride. You can dip seeds in 1gm/ltr Mercury chloride for almost 30 min once they are dry.
Moreover, sandy soil crops are prone to stem rot. So, to prevent that, carry seed treatment with 3gm/kg Carbendazim 50%WP.
Seed Rate
A 200-250 gm seed rate per acre is suitable for achieving the desired germination.
Harvest & Post Harvesting
Once the head reaches full head size and has a firm texture, that’s when the vegetable is ready to harvest. Moreover, harvesting should be pursued depending on the market’s demand. If the demand is heavy, harvesting the crop early is possible.
Harvesting manually with the help of a knife is highly possible. Post-harvesting, sorting & grading is done based on head size.
How to Control Weed in Cabbage Cultivation?
To control weeds, 1 litre of dimethalin at one acre of land per day before transplanting seedlings will help. Followed by one manual weeding after applying herbicide.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cabbage Cultivation
1. How long does cabbage take to grow?
Ans. Cabbage generally takes about 4-6 months to become mature. They are ready to harvest once they have firm heads and reach the desired size, shape or colour.
2. Which months are best for planting cabbage?
Ans. Mid-March to May is a good time to plant cabbage.