Effect of Mulch Types and Mineral Fertilizer Rates on Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea var. Capitata) Growth and Yield in the Highlands of Rwanda

Aim: Determine response of cabbage growth and yield to mulching and fertilizer application.

Study Design: Factorial arrangement (3 × 4) of mulching types (black plastic, wheat straw and bare soil) and four NPK fertilizer rates; 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1, in a RCBD with three replicates.

Place and Duration of Study: Busogo sector Musanze District, Rwanda, from September 2016 to March 2017.

Methodology: Data on cabbage stem diameter, height, leaf area index (LAI), head diameter and weight was collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS version 9.3. Mean separation was done using LSD at P = .05.

Results: Application of black plastic and wheat straw mulch significantly increased cabbage stem diameter, height, leaf area index (LAI), head diameter and weight compared to bare soil. Fertilizer rates of 60 and 120 kgha-1 significantly increased cabbage growth and yields.

Conclusion: Application of wheat straw mulch is recommended in increasing cabbage growth and yields. It is cheaper than plastic mulch and contributes to soil organic matter increase. NPK fertilizer rate of 120 kg ha-1 is recommended to meet the nutrient demand of cabbage and increase yield.