Which is the best cabbage variety to grow?
Are you looking for the best cabbage variety to grow in Kenya? In this post, we give you a comparison of various hybrid seed varieties available from seed companies. To decide on the best, we will show you their maturity periods, spacing in cm, the average weight per head and total yield potential per acre.
Cabbage is a popular vegetable of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family. It is the headed type among kales, broccoli, cauliflowers and radishes.
There are three main types available in Kenya and Uganda. The green, Red and Savoy cabbages. Green has a higher demand in the domestic markets. Farmers farming to export prefer the other two types.
The vegetable has many health and nutrition benefits. It contains Calcium, Iron, Vitamins A, C and E. others are Riboflavin, Nicotinamide and Ascorbic Acid. Minerals and high contents of Sulphur and chlorine contents.
Hybrid Cabbage variety seeds in Kenya
Given its high demand, seed companies have many hybrid seed varieties or F1 seed choices in the market. In this post, we compare the best hybrid types using their maturity period, spacing in cm, plant population, the average weight per head and total yield potential per acre.
| Hybrid Variety | Plant spacing (cm) | Population (cabbages per acre) * | Maturity (days after transplanting) | Head weight (kg) | Yield (T/Acre) |
| Amigo F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 90-100 | 4-6 | 45-68 |
| Baraka F1 | 60 x 45 | 14,800 | 75 | 4-6 | 40-50 |
| Blue Dynasty F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 80-85 | 4-5 | 45- 68 |
| Copenhagen Market | 60 x 45 | 14,800 | 65-70 | 2-2.5 | 20-30 |
| Gloria F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 90 | 3 | 30-50 |
| Green Challenger F1 | 30 x 30 or 60 x 60 | 44, 444 or 11,111 | 60 | 2.5- 3 | 40- 50 |
| Michelle F1 | 60 x 45 or 60 x 60 | 14,800 or 11,111 | 80 | 3-5 | 40-74 |
| Pruktor F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 80 | 5-6 | 50-60 |
| Queen F1 | 60 x 45 | 14,800 | 85 | 30 | |
| Riana F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 90-100 | 1.5-2.5 | 15-30 |
| Winner F1 | 60 x 60 | 11,111 | 75-80 | 40-75 |
*The calculate the plant population, divide area of an acre (4048 M2) by the given plant spacing. For instance, if the plant spacing is 60 cm x 60 cm. The population will be 4048 m2 rounded off to 4000 m2 divided by (0.6 m*0.6m) to get 11,111 plants.
Using the above comparison table, Cabbages take 60 to 100 days to mature in Kenya. The Green challenger F1 takes the shortest time after transplanting at 60 days. Riana F1 and Amigo F1 take 90 to 100 days.
On the advantage of weight, the Pruktor F1 ranges 5-6 kg per head. Baraka F1 and Amigo F1 average 4-6 kg per head.
Farmers plant all cabbage varieties at a spacing of 60 cm by 60 cm except the Baraka F1, Copenhagen Market and Queen F1, which you can space at 60 by 45 cm. Under best farming conditions, you can space the Green Challenger F1 at 30 cm by 30 cm.
Disease and Pest Tolerant Cabbage Varieties
Apart from the above comparisons on spacing and yields, consider the following additional factors for crop management. Resistance to pests and diseases, withstanding splitting. Others are flavour, shape, colour and size. The final one is the climate of your area.
| Cabbage variety | Features | Tolerance |
| Gloria F1 | .Solid blue-green color .Has a thick waxy layer covering. .Best to store after harvesting. | Black Rot Fusarium yellows Not prone to splitting |
| Blue dynasty F1 | Roundheads with a compact shape Best for farms in warm areas. | Black Rot Cabbage Ring Spot Diamondback Moth (DBM) Fusarium Yellows |
| Baraka F1 | Bluish-green heads | Black Rot Ring Spot Cabbage Yellows. |
| Green Challenger F1 | Round shape with compact size heads Blue-green in colour A creamy internal colour | Diamondback Moth (DBM) Black Rot Fusarium Yellows. |
| Pruktor F1 | Sweet flavour | Low night temperatures |
| Riana F1 | Blue-green heads White internal colour Round compact heads | Heat Cold Black Rot Tip Burn |
| Amigo F1 | Green semi-round heads Requires warm/cool areas | Black Rot Diamondback Moth (DBM |
The above tables give comparisons for the best hybrid cabbage variety of cabbage to grow in Kenya. It compares the seed varieties on yield, spacing, tolerance to diseases and pests among other features like colour and flavour.
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