Abstract

The present study was undertaken in the Department of Olericulture, College of Horticulture, Thrissur, Kerala. The objectives of the study were to identify an ideal hybrid of tropical cabbage for the plains and to study the feasibility of cabbage cultivation in on and off- seasons. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with four replications. Four F1 hybrids namely NS183, NS43, NS35 (Namdhari Seeds Pvt Ltd.) and Disha (Seminis India Pvt Ltd) were used for the study during off season (July-Oct) and on season (Oct-Jan). Protected conditions were provided using a rain shelter of 100m2 floor area. The results revealed that NS43 was the earliest to achieve 50% head formation (during both seasons and growing conditions) and to achieve 50% maturity (during both seasons inside polyhouse). Net head weight was maximum for NS43 inside polyhouse during off-season and for NS35 inside and outside polyhouse during on-season. pest and disease incidence was more in open field during both seasons. NS43 and NS35 can be recommended for offseason and on season cultivation respectively. Rain shelter cultivation provides a conducive condition for the cultivation of an additional crop thereby providing extra income for the farmers.

Key words: Tropical cabbage; rain shelter; off season cultivation; cool season vegetables