Study on Effect of Spacing and Nutrient Management in Cabbage Cultivation in Medium Land Situation of East Medinipur

Abstract

Background: Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitate L.) is a nutritionally and economically high-value leafy vegetable. Therefore, the optimum plant density and the judicious application of fertilizers with organic supplements must be ensured to achieve the desired quality and quantity of cabbage. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in farmers’ field to study the effect of spacing and nutrient management on the growth, yield and economics of cabbage in East Medinipur’s medium land situation under the lower Gangetic plain of West Bengal during the Rabi season in 2020. Three technology options with three distinct spacing (TO-I: 60 × 30 cm2 + RDF, TO-II: 60 × 45 cm2 + RDF and TO-III: 60 × 60 cm2 + RDF) along with one farmer’s practice (FP: Random spacing and fertilization) were evaluated using randomized block design (RBD). Result: The findings showed that the maximum plant height (37.2 cm), the lowest number of aberrant heads (7.81%) and the highest individual head weight (1.89 kg) were recorded in TO-III. Individual head weight was decreased in the following order: TO-III greater than TO-II greater than TO-I greater than FP. Though TO-I recorded the maximum harvestable (59.45 t/ha) and marketable yield (53.28 t/ha), TO-II had the maximum net return (Rs. 237069 ha-1) and the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.78). In contrast, the lowest net return (Rs. 112115 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (1.81) were recorded in FP. The decreasing order of net return, as well as the benefit-cost ratio, was found to be: TO-II greater than TO-III greater than TO-I greater than FP.