Research Articles
Effect of the Rate and Split Application of Albert’s Fertilizer on Growth and Yield Performances of Cabbage Under the Protected House in the Low Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka
Authors:
U. D. T. Perera ,
University of Ruhuna, Matara, LK
About U. D. T.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
S. Subasinghe,
University of Ruhuna, Matara, LK
About S.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
K. K. L. B. Adikaram,
University of Ruhuna, Matara, LK
About K. K. L. B.
Computer Unit, Faculty of Agriculture
H. K. M. S. Kumarasinghe,
University of Ruhuna, Matara, LK
About H. K. M. S.
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture
M. K. D. K. Piyaratne
University of Ruhuna, Matara, LK
About M. K. D. K.
Computer Unit, Faculty of Agriculture
Abstract
In Sri Lanka the demand for fresh vegetables has been increasing all over the country. Therefore, up country vegetable cultivation should be promoted in low and mid country areas. However, there is no proper fertilization pattern to enhance the growth and yield of cabbage grown in the low country. Thus, an experiment was performed in a protected house located in the low country wet zone of Sri Lanka from October 2021 to January 2022 to evaluate the effect of the rate and split application of Albert’s fertilizer on the growth and yield parameters of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var Green Coronet). The study was carried out in a two-factor factorial (2 x 3) Completely Randomized Design with four replicates. The two factors tested were, the rate of fertilizer; A1 (1.0 g/plant/day), A2 (1.5 g/plant/day), A3 (2.0 g/plant/day) and the number of split applications of fertilizer; F1 (1 time/plant/day), F2 (2 times/plant/day), F3 (3 times/plant/day). Treatments were applied daily. The average day temperature inside the protected house was 32.5 °C and the average night temperature inside the protected house was 27°C. As growth parameters plant height, the number of loose leaves per plant and canopy diameter were measured once a fortnight while cabbage heads and total biomass yield were measured as yield parameters, 100 days after transplanting. Measured data were analyzed using ANOVA. Subsequently, means were separated by least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. There is no significant effect of the split of Albert’s fertilizer and no interaction effect between the rate and split of fertilizer. Plant height, the number of loose leaves per plant and canopy diameter were significantly influenced by the rate of fertilizer. 2.0 g/plant/day treatment gave significantly higher values for the above growth parameters with compared to the treatments of 1 and 1.5 g/plant/day. Even though, no significant difference was recorded in total biomass yield, the significantly highest head yield was recorded in 1.0 g of Albert’s fertilizer/plant/day treatment. When considering the economic yield, it can conclude that the treatment of 1.0 g/plant/day is the best fertilizer rate for cabbage grown under protected houses in the low country wet zone of Sri Lanka. Also, fertilizer application at once a day can be recommended when considering energy use efficiency since there is no significant effect of split application of fertilizer.
How to Cite:
Perera, U.D.T., Subasinghe, S., Adikaram, K.K.L.B., Kumarasinghe, H.K.M.S. and Piyaratne, M.K.D.K., 2023. Effect of the Rate and Split Application of Albert’s Fertilizer on Growth and Yield Performances of Cabbage Under the Protected House in the Low Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension, 26(1), pp.52–63. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tare.v26i1.5631
Published on
28 Mar 2023.
Peer Reviewed
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