SRA-LGAREC

Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines Phone/Fax (034) 735-0132 www.sra-lgarec.net e-mail: lgarec@yahoo.com Vol. 6 No. 7 October 2004

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CABBAGE: A Viable Intercrop for Sugarcane

The skyrocketin g prices of inputs in sugarcane farming caused an alarm among sugarcane growers. As a consequence of this condition coupled with a mediocre production and low sugar price, more and more farmers contemplate on diversifying their sugarcane farms. However, there are still others who feel that changing sugarcane with other crops is a bitter pill to swallow. This dilemma can be remedied through the adoption of recommended technologies, one of which is intercropping. Intercropping requires less input and production can be realized earlier. Since the intercrop can be harvested and marketed in a short period of time, sugarcane farmers can augment their income at the time when the sugarcane requires high production input. Several short-term crops, such as peanut, mungbean and soybean were already tried as intercrop and were proven to be profitable. Lately, the Sugar Regulatory Administration at La Granja, in cooperation with Mr. Arturo Uychiat of Rachel Farms, tested cabbage and found the vegetable as a viable intercrop for sugarcane Cabbage, a cole crop, is grown mainly for its head consisting of many folded leaves forming a ball and closely spaced along a short stem. Prepared either fresh or cooked, cabbage is a nutritious veggie that serves as source of vitamins and minerals. The edible portion of the plant is low in calories and high in fiber for diet-conscious individuals. Based on records, income from cabbage as monocrop may vary from P306,000 to P503,000 per hectare, depending on the variety. Cabbage matures

from 60-73 days and head size ranges from 12-18 cm in diameter.1 Cabbage should be grown in a well-fertilized soil with sufficient water supply. Although cabbage grows best in areas with a cool weather, new varieties like Apo Verde can thrive well in the lowland where the climate is warm.

As an intercrop, the following practices are recommended for cabbage production: ?? pre-germinate in sterilized soil prior to transplanting to ensure high survival rate ?? plant simultaneously with sugarcane ?? spacing is 0.60m between hills and 1.00m between rows ?? cultivate lightly since the roots grow near the soil surface ?? fertilize with complete inorganic fertilizer and supplement with organic materials ?? implement regular control measure against its common pest- the diamond-back moth. Spray early in the morning and concentrate on the leaf undersurface. KARATE? or similar insecticides may be used. ?? harvest 70 days after transplanting

by: Rolando D. Dosayla - Supervising Research Spec.

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Source: Mapa, S. 2002. Agriculture 6(9):6-7.

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