Agriculture

Science
Presentation
Cabbage
What is
Cabbage?
A cultivated plant eaten as a vegetable,
having thick green or purple leaves
surrounding a spherical heart or head
of young leaves. Another or Botanical
name for cabbage is
Brassica oleracea. The present day
cabbage is believed to have originated
from the wild cabbage found growing
along the chalky coast of England and
along the western and southern coasts of
Europe. It is now grown throughout
the world.
Structure of Cabbage.
Structure of
Cabbage.
The plant is a biennial, and has
a very short stem surmounted by
a mass of thick overlapping
leaves forming a compact head,
which may be pointed or round,
green or red, smooth or crinkled.
Flowers have 4 petals, 4 sepals, 4
stems (2 long), 2 fused carpels
forming fruits which
split from bottom.​
Economic
Importance of
Cabbage.
Cabbage may be eaten raw or
cooked. They may be pickled e.g
Sauerkrant (sour cabbage); a
favourite food in Germany and
Russia. Large drumhead' long aged
cultivars are grown for feeding
livestock in developed countries.
Soil and Climate
for Cabbage.
Cabbage a hardy cool-season crop,
is at its best during a cool, moist
period. It will however, stand wide
variations in temperature. Fertile,
moist, well drained soil with a pH of
6.5 is ideal. The soil should contain
a liberal supply of organic matter.
Varieties of
cabbage
Varieties recommended to be
grown in Guyana are O.S. Cross,
K.K. Cross, K.Y. Cross,
Premium Flat Dutch.
Picture of Cabbage K-Y Cross.
Picture of K.K Cross Cabbage.
Picture of Flat Dutch Cabbage.
Nursery and
Caring for the
Cabbage seedlings.
Cabbage seeds are sown in a nursery bed and
transplanted into the field. Nurseries should be sited
on high land which does not flood easily, and should
be slightly shaded and protected from heavy winds.
The seed bed should be a rich fertile sandy loam. The
site should be hoed or ploughed and allowed to
weather for a few weeks. After weathering, chip or
harrow to break up clods and loosen the soil. Beds can
then be made 70 cm wide with drains 30 cm
in between beds. The seeds should be broadcast or
sown in drills about two to three inches apart and
covered with half-inch of fine silted soil. Plants grown
in drills are more vigorous and much easier to lift and
transplant. The bed should be watered immediately
after sowing and covered with palm leaves, straw or
damp jute bags to conserve moisture and hasten
germination. Seeds germinate only when there is
sufficient moisture. The bed should be thoroughly
watered daily with a watering can fitted with a fine
nozzle (rose) until the seeds germinate.
Nursery and Caring for the
Cabbage seedlings.

Soon after the seedlings germinate (i.e. 7-10 days

after sowing) part of the cover may be removed
leaving minimum shade. Gradual exposure to
sunlight hardens the plant. The amount of sunlight
may be increased daily so that the seedlings will be
strong enough to remain in the sun and rain
without shading. Plant cabbage seeds ¼ inch deep
and cover very lightly with soil. Keep the soil evenly
moist. A humidity dome can help prevent the top of
the soil from drying out during germination. Daily
watering is still necessary since a shortage of water
retards growth. Excess water, however, causes
'damping off a fungal disease.
A Picture of How Some Farmers Water There
Cabbage plant.