PRODUCTION GUIDELINES FOR KALES/SUKUMAWIKI

1. ECOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
a. Temperature
• Performs best in cool conditions 16 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius
• Head formation reduced at temperatures higher than 25 degrees Celsius
b. Rainfall
• High water requirement throughout growth period
• Optimal rainfall 1,500mm per year
• Irrigation required in dry areas
c. Altitude
• Can grow at elevations as low as 800 meters above sea level to elevations 2,200 meters above sea level
VARIETIES:
Some commercial varieties
2. SITE SELECTION
a. Soil type and analysis
• Rich in organic matter
• Well drained
• pH levels between 6.0-6.5
• Soils rich in organic matter and well drained
• Soil analysis recommended for accurate fertilization
• Select field not previously used for cabbage,
b. Water proximity
• Site should be close to source of water where irrigation is needed
c. Topography
• Level ground is ideal but sloped land is sufficient as long as the contour rule is followed
3. CROP PLANNING
a. Farm layout
• Important in order to plan rotation, installation of infrastructure and accessibility

b. Crop rotation
• Improves soil fertility and controls soil-borne disease
• Do not rotate cabbages with vegetables in the same family as sukumawiki, broccoli and cauliflower
• Rotate with potatoes, onions, maize, carrots and spinach
c. Record keeping
• It is important to keep records for analysis of crop profitability
• System should be designed early to ensure accurate and timely collection of relevant information
d. Marketing
• It is very important to keep in mind where the crop is likely to be sold, possible prices and quantities
4. NURSERY OPERATIONS
a. Area selection
• Establish nursery in area free of soil-borne disease
• Near water source
• Protected from livestock and birds
b. Preparation
• Raised beds 1 meter wide with convenient lengths are recommended for wet areas with heavy soils
• Sunken beds are ideal for dry areas or during dry season
• Prepare the soil to a fine tilth, breaking all clods and removing stones and brush
• Incorporate well rotten farmyard manure and DAP or TSP fertilizer depending on soil type
c. Sowing
• Before sowing, the media should be thoroughly watered
• Sow seeds thinly in drills spaced 15 centimeters apart or in seed trays
• Cover lightly with soil and apply mulch, or cover with Hessian cloth and use shade net

d. Nursery Management
• Shading: use shade nets, dry grass or leaves
• Check nursery twice a day for moisture levels and apply water as is needed with a watering rose sieve
• Remove mulch or Hessian cloth immediately after germination
• Maintain shade until last week of crop, or depending on the crop response, you can decide to remove the shade completely
• Scout for pests and disease and control with appropriate pesticides ― read labels carefully
• Common nursery problems include cutworms ― cut seedlings at base-control with malathion
• Aphids: attack growing tips and cause stunting-spray karate, fastac, pirimor.
• Damping off disease thrives in poorly watered seed beds that remain wet during the night. Drench soils with fungicides such as ridomil or benovap and apply water in early afternoon
• As seedlings get ready for planting, reduce amount of water to once in the last week before transplanting
5. MAIN SITE PREPARATION
a. Ploughing
• The field should be ploughed 2-3 weeks in advance at least 8 inches deeper
b. Harrowing
• Harrow the field 2-3 weeks later after ploughing
• Prepare soil to a fine tilth
c. Bed making
• Raised beds recommended for root development and proper drainage
• Bed width of 1 meter and a convenient length not exceeding 100 meters and a height of 15 centimeters
• Incorporate well rotten farm yard manure.
6. TRANSPLANTING
a. Timing
• Seedlings ready for transplanting after 4-6 weeks in the nursery, depending on temperatures
• Best time for planting is late in the evening when sun is cool or on a cloudy day
• Wet the seedlings an hour before transplanting.
b. Depth
• Plant to the same depth as in the nursery
c. Spacing
• Varies with varieties: 60cm x 60cm for large-headed varieties, 60cm x 45cm for medium sized and 30cm x 30cm for small heads
7. CROP MANAGEMENT
a. Feeding/Fertilization.
• Apply DAP or TSP fertilizer during transplanting (1 teaspoonful/hole)
• Top dress crop two weeks after transplanting with 1 teaspoonful of CAN per plant
• Apply a second topdressing at same rate when leaves begin to fold
• Too much CAN results in loose heads or no head formation
NB: Soil analysis recommended
b. Manuring
• Necessary to improve soil structure and to slowly provide extra nutrients
• Done at planting
• Use 10 to 30 tonnes per hectare
c. Weeding
• Keep fields free of weeds to reduce competition for nutrients, light and space
• Also to reduce pests and disease infestation
d. Mulching
• Increases organic matter in the soil
• Conserves soil moisture
• Prevents soil erosion
• Suppresses splashing of rain or irrigation water and spread of diseases
• Good during dry periods
8. HARVESTING
a. Stage
• Harvest when heads are firm and fully formed, preferably when prices are good
• Maturity period ranges form 2 to 4 months depending on variety and location
• Harvest with four wrapper leaves to protect the head and to keep cabbage fresh
b. Specifications
• This will be guided by the type of market and thus will range from small to large cabbage heads
c. Post harvest handling
• Handle the heads carefully to avoid bruises
• Keep produce under shade
9. GROSS MARGIN ANALYSIS
a. Capital costs
• Note all the capital expenses incurred
b. Yield
• Record all yield data
c. Cost of production
• Record all the direct costs incurred
d. Profits and losses
• Profit/loss = income (yield x sale price) – expenses (production costs)