Abstract:
Cabbage, known for its versatility and high yield, is often cultivated at less-than-ideal rates due to a lack of variety-specific planting strategies. In a 2023 field experiment conducted in Ethiopia's Fogera district, the optimal plant density was explored by testing various inter-row spacings (30, 40, and 50 cm) and intra-row spacings (20, 30, 40, and 50 cm) using a factorial RCBD design with three replications. Growth, phenological, and yield data were collected and analyzed, followed by a partial budget analysis to determine the most effective combination. Except for dry matter content and plant spread, the findings showed that practically all main and interaction effects of inter- and intra-row spacing had a significant impact on head cabbage parameters. Phenological and growth parameters such as days to horticultural maturity, head length, head diameter, number of leaves, and outer leaf area were significantly affected. Yield and yield-related traits like head weight, marketable head yield, unmarketable head weight, total head weight, fresh whole plant weight, and harvesting index also showed highly significant main effects and interactions. Planting on 50 cm inter and 30 cm intra row spacing gave the maximum grain yield (68.43 ton ha-1) and the maximum total head yield (70.266 ton ha-1). This was followed by a total head yield of 57.98 ton ha-1 from planting at a spacing of 50 cm inter and 40 cm intra row spacing. The highest net return (1,026,279 Birr ha-1) was obtained from the treatment combination of 50 cm inter and 30 cm intra row spacing, with an acceptable MRR (127.25%). Therefore, this treatment combination can be a preliminary recommendation for the study area for better economic and agronomic advantage. However, to reach a conclusive recommendation, the experiment has to be repeated across different years.
