Cabbage Cultivation - in Kenya

AUTHORS:
Vincent Ochieng, Lusike Wasilwa, Caleb Kiprono, Francis John Musembi and John Wadenje.
ISBN NO: 978-9966-30-030-0

Volume 1
HOW TO
GROW CABBAGES
IN KENYA
CONTRIBUTORS
Victor Wasike
David Lelgut
Isaya Sijali
Miriam Otipa
Bosibori Bett
Samuel Njihia
Christine Gitonga
Jackson Wamalwa
Charles Ndiege
Elizabeth Odoyo
Abel Too
Ruth Amata
Agnes Ndengwa
Francis Wayua
PHOTO GRAPHERS
Vincent Ochieng
Lusike Wasilwa
John Wadenje
DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Boniface Oduor
Cell: +254 723 849 127
PUBLISHER
BEST MERGE COMPUTERS
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PUBLISHED 2015/ 2016

All rights reserved.
No part of this handbook may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in
any form or by any means without written permission from KALRO. The content of this
publication may be used with acknowledgement to the publisher.
DISCLAIMER:
Where the use of chemical control is intended, please read the pesticide labels prior to use.
Active Ingredients used herein are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is
intended,nor is criticism of unnamed products implied.
Acknowledgement
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to RDA KOREA for

funding the project, Technical advice and various stakeholders
involved in one way or another in this noble effort.
We are grateful to hardworking farmers and extension officers

in the project who provided useful practical information dur-
ing our numerous field experiments and laboratory work in
respective counties. Your informed contributions and experi-
ences shared unconditionally added value and shaped the final
outcome of this handbook in a great way. We sincerely ac-
knowledge the generous financial support received from RDA
KOREA and Kenyan government. Your continued interest and
support on our projects is an honor and privilege. We will for-
ever be very grateful.
The authors extend their appreciation to Dr. Teresio Riungu,

Dr. Kim, Dr. M. Kasina and Dr. S. Kimani for their technical
back stopping during the vegetable project duration.
I
Introduction:
How to use this field guide
This manual is designed to let you grow cabbage as easy as pos-

sible, It provides you with the appropriate suggested management
practices on how to grow cabbage as a result of a three year project
in five counties.
In the pest pages, there is a brief description of each pest, its life cy-
cle, damage it causes, and its control measures. It is very important
to know how the insect/mite pest develops because the adult does
not always cause the damage and sometimes it is not even found
where the damage occurred. Included in the control measures are
cultural practices, physical control, plant extracts, other homemade
solutions, and other practical methods.
This manual also provides farmers with practical guides and alter-
natives to eliminate the use and dependence on synthetic pesticides
for the management of cabbage pests. The recommended practices
are safer, more affordable, and easy to follow. Most of the farm
practices the farmers can apply by themselves and the materials that
are needed are easily available in their backyards or in their kitchens
or can be purchased in the handpicking); plant extract (e.g. Ginger
spray); other homemade solution (e.g. Soap spray); other method
(use of baits).
However, with every effort made to provide you with complete in-
formation on the pest control in cabbage growing, the recommenda-
tions may vary from every location. It is highly suggested that you
have to try the various control practices in small scale especially for
the plant extracts and other homemade solutions, in order to make
adjustments that are adaptable to your farm conditions before going
into large scale application.
II
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER 1 Forward and Executive Summary 2

CHAPTER 2 Cabbage description 4
CHAPTER 3 Climatic and soil requirement 5
CHAPTER 4 Variety Selection 6
CHAPTER 5 Seedling production in seedbeds 7
CHAPTER 6 Field preparation and planting 11
CHAPTER 7 Fertilization 14
CHAPTER 8 Crop Water requirement 15
CHAPTER 9 Plant protection; Pests, its damage & control
measures 16
CHAPTER 10 Insects’ pests /Mites 18
CHAPTER 11 Diseases 42
CHAPTER 12 Intercrop Pest control 49
CHAPTER 13 Harvesting 50
CHAPTER 14 Managing agrochemicals 52
CHAPTER 15 Common cabbage varieties in Kenya 55
CHAPTER 16 Costs in cabbage production in Kenya 60
CHAPTER 17 Common chemicals used by Farmers in
Kenya 62
CHAPTER 18 Natural enemies 64
CHAPTER 19 Organic products in the markets 65
GLOSARY 69
REFERENCES 72
1
CHAPTER 1
Forward and Executive Summary
The word Cabbage is derived from the French word caboche, which
means ‘Head’. Its scientific name is Brassica oleraceae. Cabbage is
a vegetable variety that is common in Kenya and forms an essential
part of the diet and income in Kenyan families. Cabbage is mainly
used for cooking, in vegetable salad and as plant matter for livestock
feed. Cabbage contains mustard oil that give them distinctive odor
and taste. It is an excellent source of minerals such as potassium
and high in calcium vitamins A and C. Crucifers (cabbage, broc-
coli, cauliflower, etc) are particularly effective against colon cancer
and also protect against cancers of the skin, breast, stomach, blad-
der, liver and lung; provided there are not much pesticide residues
.The major market outlet is the local fresh market in rural and urban
areas. There are many varieties in Kenya but the most popular are
Gloria F1, Prucktor, Fanaka, Haraka, Fiona F1Copenhagen market,
Fiona F1 and Golden Acre.
Cabbage grows in altitude ranging from 800 to over 2,000 metres.
Soils should be well drained, high in organic matter, with high water
holding capacity with optimum ph of 6-6.5.The optimum tempera-
ture for cabbage growing is between 16 to 20ºC.The vegetable has
high water requirement during growth period with 500mm rainfall
considered optimal.
Cabbage is propagated from seed which are widely available in
seed stores across Kenya. The growing of these vegetables should
be started by raising seedlings on nursery beds. The nursery beds
are raised for wet areas or sunken for hot areas.
The plant should be top dressed with a nitrogen fertilizer when
seedlings are established and second topdressing when the leaves
start folding. Have the soil tested for nutrient status where possible
before planting. The field should be kept free of weeds during the
vegetable’s growing season and mulched to conserves moisture.
Cabbage plants are prone to pests and diseases.
High incidences of pest and diseases infestation, lack of high qual-
ity seeds as well as inadequate knowledge and skills on Good Ag-
ricultural Practices are among the major pointers to low yields in
cabbage production. By and large, many emerging cabbage farmers
in Kenya are not able to obtain immediate, sufficient agronomic
information to enhance their farming practices.
Some of the common pests include cabbage maggots, Diamond-
2
back moth, Thrips, Slag, Ants, Cutworm, Aphids, moths, Flea bee-
tles, Whiteflies. Common diseases are Black Rot, Bacterial Soft rot,
Downy mildew, Club root. The best practices to avoid pests and
diseases would be to practice crop rotation while also using seeds
and seedlings that are resistant.
Harvesting starts75-120 days after transplanting and lasts 4-6 weeks
depending on the variety. The vegetable is ready when heads are
firm.3-4 wrapper leaves should be left to cover the head and keep it
fresh. Depending on variety, soil nutrient status, water availability
and environmental conditions the vegetable yields range from 40-
100tons/ha. The cost of producing a cabbage head is 6 shs under
good crop husbandry Grade and pack cabbage vegetable heads in
crates arrange with stem end facing the outer wall of the crates for
transportation. The fresh cabbage has the best taste and you should
ensure that you consume it or have your harvest/produce reach the
market the fastest possible. Many emerging cabbage farmers in Ke-
nya are not able to obtain immediate, sufficient agronomic informa-
tion to enhance their farming practices.
Based on the premise that information is power, the Cabbage Farm-
ing Manual is aimed to be an important tool to farmers, and other
agricultural advisors among others. The project objective passion
was develop an informed, educated and a developed agricultural
cabbage vegetable packages farmers in Kenya
3
CHAPTER 2
Cabbage description
Cabbage Scientific name: Brassica oleracea,Family: Crucifers (Brassicaceae, formerly: Crucifer-
ae)
Uses:
Cabbage is used as vegetables can be eaten raw, cooked, boiled, stuffed and sauerkraut. The field by-
products are good source of animal feeds.
Advantages of Cabbage:
Cabbage contains mustard oil that give them distinctive odor and taste. It is an excellent source of
minerals such as potassium and high in vitamins A and C. and calcium. Crucifers (cabbage, broccoli,
cauliflower, etc) are particularly effective against colon cancer and also protect against cancers of the
skin, breast, stomach, bladder, liver and lung; provided there are not much pesticide residues.
4
CHAPTER 3
Climatic and soil requirements
Cabbage is generally considered to be a cool weather crop and germinates at a minimum soil tempera-
ture of 4˚C and at an optimum temperature of between 18˚ C and 35˚ C. The optimum temperature for
growth is approximately 18˚ C with an average maximum of 24˚ C and an average minimum of 4.5˚
C. The crop is also generally frost resistant.
Soil requirement: well drained loamy soils with an effective rooting depth of approximately 600mm
is recommended
Soil pH: 5.5 - 7.5 pH
5
CHAPTER 4
Variety Selection
Numerous varieties of cabbage are available in Kenyan market; Cultivars differ with respect to size,
shape and maturity dates, as well as adaptability and disease resistances. Several factors should be
considered in selecting appropriate varieties. Yield, of course, is important to every grower. However,
this should not be the sole factor in determining variety. Disease resistance/tolerance is important in
many of these crops and should be critically examined. Buyer preference and market acceptability are
probably two of the most important factors to consider. Horticultural characteristics such as product
color, growth habit and shape should also be considered. Finally, the variety should be adapted to the
area in which it is to be grown.
Local variety trials are a good source of information regarding variety selection. With any new va-
riety, always try a small planting of the variety first before adapting it to your operation. Also, give
every new variety at least a couple of tries before making a decision on its use for your production
system. Environmental conditions can strongly influence varietal performance. Therefore, conditions
in one year may not produce the same results in another year for a given variety. Good varieties are
adaptable over a wide range of conditions.
Tables 1: Common cabbage varieties in Kenya are outlines from page 59 - 62 in chapter 15.
Pruktor
Gloria Riana
6
CHAPTER 5
Seedling production in seedbeds

Seed requirement:
200 – 250 g of certified seeds needed for a hectare area.
Seedlings should be grown in a well-aerated medium, which has good water holding capacity and at
a pH of around 6.5. Generally, peat, bark and vermiculite mixes are used. Media problems typically
include excessive tannins and low air filled porosity, which results in poor drainage and the build up
of green mould. The medium should be pre-enriched and the seedlings should be fertilized. For op-
timum germination, the seedling trays should be placed in a germination chamber, at 20 °C with high
relative humidity. The seedlings should be moved to the tunnel at the first sign of germination. The
ideal temperature for seedling cultivation is 20 °C.
7
Seedling management is a critical factor in cabbage production, as the following factors related to
seedling production may result in physiological disorders in cabbage:
• Incorrect sowing time.
• Cold temperatures, particularly below 7 °C.
• Cold grown seedlings.
• Over-fertilization of seedlings.
• Oversized seedlings at transplant.
• Temperature differences between the seedling nursery and the farm.
• Outbreak of the pest and diseases
Seedbed preparation
Seedbed is prepared approximately 5 - 15 cm high and 1.0 m wide.
Apply a thin layer of compost on the seedbed before mulching (with rice straw).
In a square meter seedbed, incorporate 40 g ammonium sulfate, 50 g super phosphate, 30 g potassium
chloride, and 2 kg/ com post. Commercial inorganic fertilizer could be skipped for organic farming.
Ask assistance from the local agriculturist office for advice in growing organic cabbage and in order
to maintain and supply the nutrient requirement of the plant.
Protect the seedbed with a net or shed to prevent the seedlings from early pest infestation, heavy rain,
and direct sunlight.
Post commercial inorganic fertilizer could be skipped for organic farming. Ask assistance from the
local agriculturist office for advice in growing organic cabbage and in order to maintain and supply
the nutrient requirement of the plant.
Protect the seedbed with a net or shed to prevent the seedlings from early pest infestation, heavy rain,
and direct sunlight.
8
Seedbed protection using a net
9
Sowing
In the seedbed, sow 15 -20 seeds per 30 cm (1 foot) at a depth of 0.5–1.0 cm.
In seed trays (grown under greenhouse), sow 2–3 seeds per hole at a depth of 0.5–1.0 cm Optimum
temperature requirement for germination is 20–25°C. The seeds germinate after 3–5 days
Thinning
In seed trays, leave only 1 healthy seedling (removing 1-2 unhealthy ones) during the first leaf stage
Hardening
Five (5) days before transplanting, gradually expose seedlings daily to strong sunlight and also reduce
the water supply to lessen stress of the seedlings after transplanting
10
CHAPTER 6
Field preparation and planting

Plough and harrow the field until the soil is fine, level and free of weeds and plant debris. Form the
bed with a plow by opening furrows to a depth of 20 cm during the dry season or at least 30 cm during
the wet season.
Ploughing of the land seed requirement for direct seeding
600g - 1.5 kg of seeds/ha are needed for direct seeding if the planting distance ranges from 100 150cm
in between rows and 25 - 45 in between hills. 3 kg/ha if the distance of planting ranges from 40 - 50cm
in between rows and 25 - 45 in between hills.
land preparation using tractor
11
size. Thirdly the grower should ensure that seedlings are planted at the correct depth in a little hole
that has been formed into the ground prior to planting. If the seedlings are forced into the ground,
without a hole being prepared for them to be inserted into, the root system will be compromised and
the plant will experience stress resulting in poor yield.
Once the seedling is placed inside the hole the area should be firmed so that sufficient contact is made
between the seedling and the soil.
When planting seedlings a choice can be made between the square method and the staggered method
of planting. The staggered method is more advantageous as there is less competition between plants
compared to the square method where plants are directly opposite each other, thus maximizing com-
petition.
Planting
Planting distance
The planting distance may vary according to variety, planting season, and soil conditions. In between
rows and in between hills
PLANT POPULATION AND SPACING
It is recommended that 26 – 30 000 plants/ha is planted for the loose head market. Higher plant popu-
lations raise the average yield per hectare, but the heads are smaller. For the bagging or chain-store /
pre-pack market a density of 35- 45 000 plants/ ha is recommended. However it must be noted that the
population of a cabbage field per hectare for a commercial grower can vary and planting is dependent
on what the specific market needs and available resources are.
12
The following guidelines explain the recommended spacing and requirements for the various mar-
kets.
LOOSE HEAD - / HAWKER MARKET
 Head size, weight & hold-ability are important features.

 Plant density of ± 26 – 30 000 plants / ha.
 Plant spacing of 60 - 70cm X 60cm.
BAGGING - / CHAIN-STORE - / PRE-PACK MARKET
 Quality, uniformly filled heads, firmness and colour are important.

 Yield per hectare and uniform cut.
 Plant density of 35 – 45 000 plants / ha.
 Plant spacing of 45 – 55cm X 60cm.
For baby cabbage, varieties have a smaller head size and the population can be increased. A plant
spacing of 25cm (in row) X 25 cm can be used as a guideline.
Field Cabbage establishment
13
CHAPTER 7
Fertilization
Cabbage needs plenty of nutrients. NPK is needed for head formation. However, excess nitrogen (N)
may cause loose head formation and internal decay. Potassium (K) deficiency can result in marginal
necrosis and lower head quality, but its excess can cause the heads to open. The plants have high Sul-
fur requirement; sensitive to deficiencies of Calcium, Magnesium, and Boron.
The general fertilizer recommendation: 100 - 150 kg/ha N: 50 - 65 kg/ha P: 100 - 130 kg/ha K. Split
the recommended fertilizer amount into 3 and apply it as basal, 3 weeks after transplanting, and dur-
ing heading.
During land preparation, incorporate 10-20 tons of manure/ha.
Remember that these are just general recommendations. Proper adjustments should be made accord-
ing to your local soil conditions. To be sure, soil analysis is highly recommended to determine nitro-
gen, phosphorus, and potassium requirements of your soil.
Commercial inorganic fertilizer could be skipped for organic farming. Ask assistance from the local
agriculturist office for advice in growing organic cabbage and in order to maintain and supply the
nutrient requirement of the plants.
Organic manure
14
CHAPTER 8
Crop Water requirement

Cabbage needs sufficient amount, although young cabbage transplants or seedlings have a lower
water requirement. However, water requirement increases rapidly as complete canopy cover and head
development occurs. Water daily until the plants establish fully. Always water the plants when wilting
happens. However, the plants are very sensitive to flooding. During rainy season, appropriate drainage
canals must be in placed to drain off the excess water after a heavy rain. Irrigation must be closely
monitored to ensure soil moisture remains even in the beds during the cropping period. It is particu-
larly important in the days following transplanting when seedlings are establishing new root systems.
Excessive irrigation promotes root rot and results in leaching of nutrients away from the root zone.
Supplying water in equal amounts throughout the season prevents cracking of the heads. Application
of soluble fertilizers as fertigation can be carried out during a normal irrigation
Total water requirement is approximately 440mm. In wet seasons, as a general guideline apply
10 to 15 mm per week for the first third to half of the growing season, and about 25 mm per week
thereafter.
In hot days, apply 20 to 25 mm per week for the first third to half of the growing season and 40 to 50
mm per week thereafter.
watering of seedlings
15
CHAPTER 9
Plant protection, Pests, damage & control measures
Plant protection
Many pest and disease problems can be avoided through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) proce-
dures.
The following will help to ensure any pests and diseases in your cabbage crop remain below the eco-
nomic threshold and swift action is taken should they become a problem.
Use of pest resistant varieties:
This ensures your crop has natural resistance to pests and diseases, minimising the need for expensive
chemical control.
Row covering of seedlines with nets:
These should be put up immediately after transplanting and left up for 10 – 15 days. They protect
your crop from numerous insect pests, such as caterpillars, aphids, leafhoppers, leaf miners, beetles
and white-flies.
Crop rotation:
Do not plant cabbages more than once every 3 – 4 years in the same field. This will minimize the risk
of fungal and bacterial diseases such as bacterial black rot and fungal diseases such as downy mildew,
powdery mildew, white rot and damping off.
Soil solarization:
This involves preparing land to a fine tilth so as to expose soil to the sun for one month during the hot
season. This helps to control soil borne pathogens, soil insects, weeds and root-knot nematodes.
Companion crops:
Planting corn and squash as a trap crop around the borders of your cabbage crop keeps aphids away,
reducing the incidence of turnip mosaic virus.
Traps:
Placing yellow and blue sticky traps and pheromone traps around your cabbage crop will help control
whitefly, leaf miners and caterpillars.
Removing and destroying all crop residues immediately after harvest:
All crop residues should be removed and destroyed by burning or burying in deep pits. This helps
prevent last season’s pests including caterpillars, aphids and beetles re-infesting your new crop and
also control fungal and bacterial diseases.
Good weed management:

Irrigate the beds to stimulate germination of weed seeds and remove all weeds prior to transplanting.
Following planting, the field should be monitored regularly and kept free of weeds. Remove weeds
by hand at early growth stages of cabbage and before canopy covers over.
Crop monitoring:
Cabbage crops should be monitored for pests and diseases every week. This is especially important
during the early stages of growth when cabbages are susceptible to pests and diseases. Consistent
monitoring enables a swift and effective response should an outbreak occur, which will minimize crop
damage and expense.Thorough composting of all organic matter. All manure put on the crop should
be thoroughly composted to prevent pest and disease outbreaks.
Weeds:
Weeds are the unwanted plants found in your fields and gardens. They compete with your crops for
nutrients, moisture, and sunlight which can decrease the crop quality. They increase production costs
due to increased cultivation and hand weeding, and considerably reduce the crop yields. They also
16
serve as alternate hosts of insect/mite pests and diseases.
Preventative methods:
• Thorough land preparation, example: by plowing and harrowing
• During the seed bed preparation, make sure that the seed bed is free of weeds.
• Place the fertilizer where the crop has the access to it but the weeds do not. This allows the crop to
be more competitive with weeds.
• Maintain cleanliness on the drainage canals
• Keep the surroundings of your farm free of weeds, unless they are maintained and intended as habi-
tat for natural enemies
• Mulching: Use rice straw as mulch to partially control weed. Apply straw perpendicularly to the
rows at a rate of 5 t/ha. Apply mulch within a few days after transplanting.
• Crop rotation. Do not continuously plant crucifers in the same field.
• Regularly monitor the status of your crops
Mechanical and physical practices:

• Hand weeding. The weeds are easier to control in their earlier growing period. Do not let the weeds
to flower. Remove them from the field before they start to flower. Weeds bearing seeds should not be
placed in compost since seeds may not be killed in the process of decomposition. Otherwise, compost
might be a source of reintroduction of weeds into your fields.
• Hoeing, mowing, and cutting
Plastic mulch soil solarization
17
CHAPTER 10
Insects’ pests /Mites

At the different growth stages of cabbage pests might occur. Table 1 shows the pests that can infest
cabbage in its different growth stages.
Table 1: Cabbage growth stages and its pests

Growth stages Insect/mite Pests
0 stage
- Seeds • Ants
Seedling stage • Cutworm
• Aphids
- Leaves and leafstalks • Diamondback moth
• Flea beetles
• Whiteflies
Roots • Cabbage root maggot
Vegetative stage
(true leaf development up to cupping)  Aphids
 Cabbage head caterpillar
 Cabbage looper
- Leaves and leafstalks  Cabbage webworm
 Cabbage white butterfly
 Diamondback moth
 Flea beetles
 Spider mites
Maturation stage
(Pre head formation up to head fill) • Aphids
• Cabbage head caterpillar
- Developing and • Cabbage looper
maturing head • Cabbage webworm Diamondback moth
- Roots • Cabbage root maggot
18
Ants
Damage:
Ants take the sown seeds back to their colony and feed on germinating seeds and on young seedlings.
They tend insect pests like aphids, scales, whiteflies, mealy bugs, and other honeydew producing
insects. These actions result in missing hills, thus loss of plant stand, uneven growth distribution in the
field, and an increased incidence of diseases caused by the mentioned insect pests.
Description
Eggs are delicate, soft, white, and are laid in clusters of 75-125 eggs.
The larva is grub-liked, legless, very soft, and whitish in color. It inflicts no damage as it depends on
the worker ant (older sibling) for care and food.
the worker ant (older sibling) for care and food.

The pupa is whitish and develops inside the ant’s nest. It has visible legs and in some cases, wings.
The pupal stage is the transitional stage between the larva and the adult which emerges during the
final molt.
An adult ant varies in color, from blackish to reddish-brown depending on its species. It has robust
mandibles with strong teeth that could inflict painful bites. It has elbowed- antennae, a thin waist, and
if it is winged, the hind wings are smaller than the front wings and have few veins.
Ants are also beneficial insects because they prey on termites, eggs, pupa, and caterpillars of other
insect pests. Nevertheless, ants should not be introduced into vegetable gardens for insect pest
control.
Suggested control practices
Cultural practices
1. Increase the seeding/seedling rate. This practice turns out cheaper than with the use of insecticide.
2. Control aphid, whitefly, and other insects that excrete honeydew. The ants are likely to be found
in plants infested by these insects because they protect them for their food.
Spray solutions
Ant oil spray
Mix 2 tbsp dish washing soap, 2 tsp vegetable oil, 2 tbsp salt, and few drops of vinegar into 4 liters
of water.
19
Aphids
Damage
Both the nymphs and the adults pierce the plant tissues to feed on plant sap. The infected leaves
become severely distorted when the saliva of aphids are injected into them. Heavily infested ones will
turn yellow and eventually wilt because of excessive sap removal. The aphids’ feeding on the plant
causes crinkling and cupping of leaves, defoliation, and stunted growth.
Aphids produce large amounts of a sugary liquid waste called honeydew. A fungus, called sooty mold,
grows on honeydew deposits that accumulate on leaves and branches, turning leaves and branches
black. The appearance of a sooty mold on plants is an indication of an aphid infestation.
Description
The eggs are very tiny, shiny black, and are found in the crevices of bud, stems, and barks of the
plant.
The nymphs look like the young adults, mature within 7-10 days, and are then ready to reproduce.
The adults are small, 3-4 mm long, soft-bodied insects with two projections on the rear end and
two long antennae. Their body color varies from yellow, green, brown, to purple. Females can give
birth to live nymphs as well as can lay eggs. However, the primary means of reproduction for most
aphid species is asexual, with eggs hatching inside their bodies, and then giving birth to living young.
Winged adults, black in color, are produced only when it is necessary for the colony to migrate, or
there is either overcrowding in colonies, or unfavorable climatic condition

Cultural practices
20
1. Control and kill ants. Cultivate and flood the field. This will destroy ant colonies and expose
eggs and larvae to predators and sunlight. Ants use the aphids to gain access to nutrients from the
plants.
2. Avoid using heavy doses of highly soluble nitrogen fertilizers. Aphids love tender, juicy leaves.
Practice split application: during seedling and flowering stage.
3. Intercrop with onion, garlic, spider plant, coriander.
4. Avoid too much N.
5. Plant in a well prepared fertile seedbed to promote crop vigour.
6. Keep the fields free of weeds and alternative hosts such as wild mustards.
7. Manage the field to favour natural enemies such as lady bird beetles, hover flies and Aphidiu.
8. Encourage growth of milk weed within the field. Milk weed is a host of other types of aphids
which are natural enemies
9. Mulch with wheat straw or clear/transparent polyethylene sheet as reflectors of UV light discourage
aphids from landing on the crop.
10. Use overhead irrigation to knock aphids off the leaves.
Monitoring
• Early in the season after transplanting and when the conditions are cool and dry favouring aphid
development.
• Look at the lower leaves, stems and growing point for soft bodied insects, curled or capping of
infested leaves, black sooty mould.
• Institute control measures when 1 to 2 % of plants are infested
Direct control
Traps
Sticky board traps

Place 1-4 sticky cards per 300 sq m field area. Replace traps at least once a week. To make your own
sticky trap, spread petroleum jelly or used motor oil on yellow plywood, 6 cm x 15 cm in size or up.
Place traps near the plants but faraway enough to prevent the leaves from sticking to the board. Traps
when hung should be positioned 61 cm zone above the plants.
Yellow basin trap

Half-fill yellow pan or basin with soapy water. Place the pan close to the plant but exposed enough so
that aphids will see it. This will also trap cabbage root maggot.
Botanical pesticides
Ginger rhizome extract
Grind 50 g of ginger and make into paste. Mix with 3 liters of water. Strain. Add 12 ml of soap. Mix
well. Ten (10) kg of ginger is needed for 1 ha.
Use garlic or a mix of garlic and neem; red chilli pepper and soap (take 50g mix in 2 lts of water, boil
for 15 minutes, allow to cool and spray) and pyrethrum flower
Custard apple leaf extract
Boil 500 g of leaves in 2 liters of water until the remaining liquid is about ½ liter. Strain.Dilute
filtrate with 10 -15 liters of water.
Soap Spray solutions

• Ammonia spray
• Mix 1 part ammonia with 7 parts water. This spray also controls flea beetles.
• Mix 2½ tablespoons of liquid soap to a gallon of water.
21
• Spray soapy solution (potassium soaps) (add 10-15 table spoon full of liquid soap in 20lt
bucket and spray). Avoid powder detergent soaps because they can burn plant leaves and if
used frequently, will reduce soil fertility.
Chemical control
Active ingredient Examples

Acetamiprid Twiga ace®, Manik®
Deltamethrin Atom®, Decis®, katrin®
Imidacloprid Tata Mida®, murcloprid® , Confidor®
Natural pyrethrins + Garlic extracs Pyegar
Chlorpyrifos Sulban®
Beta-Cyfluthrin Bulldock®; Star®
Thiacloprid Calypso®
Imidacloprid Confidor®
Restrictions for chemical applications on aphids

• Moderately hazardous (WHO Class II)
• Toxic to aquatic organisms
• Avoid near water ways
• High risk to bees and other non-target arthropods
• Don’t spray when plants are flowering
• Contact pesticide with residual activity
Cabbage head caterpillar
Damage
The cabbage plant has ‘window-liked’ damage on its outer leaves. Larval damage during early head
formation results in an aborted or multiple heads. The larva bores holes on the developing head. A
damaged developing head contains waste matters.
Attract almost the entire population of the cabbage head caterpillar and 90% DBM. Remove the trap
crops when these are heavily infested with the pests or else these pests will transfer to the main crop
22
Description
The eggs are laid in clusters and held together by gelatinous glue. An egg mass contains 30-40 eggs.
The newly hatched egg mass is colored green and turns reddish-brown as it matures. The eggs are
laid close to the midrib or on the veins at the lower surface of leaves. The egg development lasts for
about 5-7 days.
The newly hatched larva is slender and greenish yellow in color and has a dark-brown head and
thorax. As the larva grows, its body becomes green and its head becomes brown with light patches,
and then turns whitish with longitudinal stripes as it matures. A larva undergoes five instars.
The early larval instar feeds in group and as it grows, it disperses moving from plant to plant. A mature
larva measures 1.2-1.6 cm long.
The pupa is yellowish-green and turns dark-brown as it grows. The pupa is enclosed in a silken
cocoon. Pupation takes place in the soil, 2-6 cm below the soil surface.
The adult has a black thorax and a reddish-brown abdomen. The male has a thicker tuft of hairs along
the costal margin near the base of the forewing than that of the female. The female has a curved
ovipositor for reproduction. A female can lay 2-10 egg masses. The adult is a weak flier.

Cultural practices
Plant Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) as a trap crop between several rows of common cabbage to
attract most Cabbage head caterpillar moths and some Diamondback moth (DBM) adults. Mustard
Larvae feed primarily on leaves causing irregular, rugged holes, bore through the pods, and contaminate
pods and leaves with their frass(excreta). Plants can be severely defoliated and stunted. Sometimes,
they damage the seedlings, but heavy injury usually occurs during pod stage. Attract almost the entire
population of the cabbage head caterpillar and 90% DBM. Remove the trap crops when these are
heavily infested with the pests or else these pests will transfer to the main crop.
Chemical control application

Alpha cypermethrin alpha, Bestox®, Albaz®
Deltamethrin Atom®, Decis®Katrin®
Lambda cyhalothrin Tata umeme®, Karate®, Duduthrin®
Bifenthrin Bridge, ® Brigade 25EC®
Flubendiamide Belt®,
Beta-Cyfluthrin Bulldock®
23
Cabbage lopper
Description
The egg is very small and bowl-shaped with a flat side, yellowish to greenish-white in color, and
found singly lying on the leaves.
The larva is light green and about 3-4 cm long when fully developed. It has 3 pairs of slender legs
near the head and 3 pairs of thickened prolegs on the abdomen. It moves by arching its back to form
a loop and then projecting the front section of the body forward. It usually feeds on the leaves and
into the cabbage head.
The pupa is green or brown in color and is nearly 2 cm long. It is enclosed in a flimsy, silken
cocoon. Pupation occurs in a folded webbed leaf or between two webbed leaves.
An adult is a grayish-brown moth and has a wingspan of about 3.3-3.8 cm. Each of the mottled and
brown front wings bears a small and silvery-spot. The hindwings are paler-brown. Adults are strong
fliers and are primarily nocturnal. During the day the adults can be found resting in foliage or in crop
debris.
Moths feed on various wild and cultivated hosts where they obtain water and dissolved nutrients. A
female moth can produce 300 - 1600 eggs.
Botanical pesticide
Gliricidiasepium leaf extract
Grind or pound ½ kg of Gliricidia leaves.
Soak overnight in water. Strain.
Add 20 liters of water to the filtrate.
Cabbage root maggot

Damage
24
The larva eats the later roots, then tunnels into the tap root and sometimes bores to the base of the stem.
Attacked plants will wilt and the leaves will turn bluish. The plants becomes stunted or eventually
die.
Description
Eggs are white, oval- shaped and less than 1mm in size. These are laid on the stems or in the soil near
the base of the plants. Maggots (larvae) are soft and white about 3-8mm long. They have a pair of
prominent forked tubercles below the hind spiracles that separate them from other Delia species.
Pupae are found close to the roots or sometimes within the plant where the larvae last feed. These are
brown and hard and are ovate-shaped.
Adults are dark gray flies slightly smaller than the common housefly. They can fly up to 2 km to find
suitable hosts to lay their eggs upon.

Cultural practices
Planting clover (Trifolium spp.) as soil cover
Mulching with dried grasses and rice straw
Planting onions as trap crops around the borders and down the rows of cabbage protects cabbage from
egg laying moths. Pull and destroy trap crops 2 weeks after they sprout.
Row covers Cover the seedbed with a screen covering or fine nylon net placed immediately after
seeds are sown. The covering should extend at least 18 cm on either side of the seed row, with the
edges buried in the soil.
Other substances
The feeding damages made by the larvae are the mined and/or bore leaves and bore stems. They feed
first externally on the leaves and continue feeding into the terminal bud. Infested plants produced
small heads and in severe cases, they do not form heads at
Powdered hot pepper or powdered ginger –place the powdered hot pepper or ginger around the
base of the stem when the cabbage root maggot population is moderate
Wood ash –if population is moderate repels moths by mounding wood ashes and diatomace earth
placed around the base of the stem. Buy D.E at your local agricultural suppliers
Cabbage root fly
25
Cabbage webworm
Damage
The larvae feed beneath their protective webs made from the silken like threads that they form. The
silken webs are found on the inner leaves’ surfaces and stalks.
The cabbage webworm can be detected by their webs, frass, and other feeding debris produced
while.
Eggs are oval and creamy-white in color. These are laid in clusters from 28 to 214 eggs. The egg stage
lasts from 2-5 days.
The larva has dark-brown or black heads. Its body is creamy-white with light pinkish-brown
longitudinal stripes. It is about 1.2 to 1.5 cm when fully grown. The larval stage is about 6 to 18
days.
The pupa is contained inside a loose cocoon. It has a shining pale-brown color with a dark dorsal
stripe. The pupal stage is about 4 to 20 days.
The adult is grayish-brown with pale-dusky hindwings. Each forewing has a prominent black spot
and zigzagging light-brown lines. The central band between the lines is sometimes filled with darker
brown scales. The adult moth is capable of flying long distances. It occasionally migrates to areas
outside its normal breeding range.
Botanical pesticide
Mammey spray
Pound 10g of ripe and dried Mammey seeds. Add to 1 liter of water. Mix in few drops of soap. Stir
well. Shake from time to time while in the process of application to avoid separation. This spray
material controls other worms found on crucifers.
Physical control
• Cut off webbed leaves and kill the caterpillars inside.
• Screen seedling beds when seedlings are about 15 cm high. See to it that the seedlings are
growing vigorously.
Pathogens
Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)
Spray plant thoroughly with BT when larvae are less than 5 mm long. The larva is not killed instantly
because it has to ingest BT before it is killed, but it cannot do more damage. It will take about 2-3
days after the pest will die. Read label thoroughly or ask assistance from local agriculturist if use
26
The larva chews the leaves, hearts, and curds of crucifers. The young larva is hatched on the outer
leaves and feeds superficially leaving the upper leaf surface intact. As it grows older, it makes holes
in the leaves and eats through small veins. It continues feeding into the center of the head damaging
the edible portion of the plant.
When there is a heavy infestation, all the leaf tissues are eaten leaving the veins and large stem. The
larva's waste matters contaminate and stain the produce.
Description
The eggs are pale yellow in color, about 1 mm long, and bullet-shaped. These are laid singly on the
lower surface of the outer leaves of the plant.
27
The newly hatched larva has a pale-yellow head and body with fine clear hairs arising from the small
white spots. As it matures, its head and body are velvety-green with short hairs. The body has a broken
yellow line or series of yellow spots which are found on both sides. The larva has five pairs of prolegs.
A matured larva fastens itself to the lower leaf surface by silk bands. It can reach up to a length of 3
cm long. The pupa is attached to some parts of the plant or other nearby objects. It is 1.8 to 2.0 cm
long with a pointed anterior spine. Its color varies depending on where the pupa is situated because it
camouflages with its environment.
The adult butterfly is white. Its body is covered with dense white hair which is more prominent on
the male butterfly. The butterfly's wings are white with a black area near the tip of each forewing and
have a small black spot on the front edge. The back wings are dull-yellow, dusted with black. It has a
wingspan of 4 to 6 cm. The adult is active during the day and is often seen flying on crucifers and on
flowering weeds to feed.
Botanical pesticide
Garlic oil spray
Chop finely 100 g of garlic. Soak garlic in 2 tbsp of mineral oil for a day. Add ½ liter of water and 10
ml of soap. Blend well by stirring thoroughly. Strain. Dilute the filtrate with 10 liters of water. Shake
sprayer from time to time to avoid oil from floating.
Physical control
•Handpick the larvae. Put collected larvae in a bucket with soapy water to drown.
•Scatter large pieces of eggshells amongst the cabbages to confuse the Cabbage white butterfly. The
eggshells are mistaken for as other butterflies which make them leave the area to look for a less
populated one.
•Catch butterflies with sweep nets. Their presence suggests a future problem.
Cover plants with very fine nets to prevent Damage caused by larvae of Cabbage white butterfly eggs
on plants female butter-flies from laying
Pathogens
because it has to ingest BT before it is killed, but it cannot do more damage. It will take about 2-3
days after the pest will die. Read label thoroughly or ask assistance from local agriculturist if use for
the first time.
28
Chemical control
Alpha®, Albaz®, Alpha Cymba®, Bestox®
Alpha cypermethrin
Cutworm
Damage
Cutworms feed on seedlings. The seedlings are often cut off at ground level. The larvae can be found
in the soil (up to a depth of about 5 cm) near the plant. They always curl-up when disturbed. Cut-
worms feed only at night. Generally, they are not found on plants or on the soil surface during the day.
The newly hatched larvae feed from the base towards the tip of the leaf. At this stage, they first feed
on the epidermis and may discolor the entire leaf surface. Young caterpillars eat the soft leaves of the
plant. The full grown caterpillars are capable of eating the entire plant.
Description
The eggs are tiny pearl white, round, and have a ridged surface. The newly hatched larvae are green-
ish and about 1 mm long. The full-grown larva has a cylindrical body, brown or brownish-black with
a tinge of orange. The thoracic segments have one to two dark spots near the base of the legs. The
abdominal segments generally have two light brownish lateral lines on each side, one above and one
below the spiracles. Above the top lines are broken lines composed of velvet semi-crescent patches
that vary in color among cutworms.
The pupa is black or brown in color and measures about 22.5 mm long and 9.2 mm wide.
29
The adult has dark brown forewings with distinctive black spots and white and yellow wavy stripes.
The hind wings are whitish with grayish margins. The total developmental period from egg to adult
is about 35-40 days.
Cultural practices
Interplant onion, garlic, peppermint, coriander, or garlic every 10-20 rows to repel cutworms and at-
tract natural enemies. Sunflowers and cosmos can also be planted as a trap crop in or around fields.
Finger euphorbia plant extract
Cut a branch and collect the oozing sap. Add 1 liter of water to every 10 drops of the sap. Another
method is to cut a mature branch and pound it finely to make it into a paste. Add this to 10 liters of
water. Leave it for sometime then strain.
Basil plant extract
Pound or grind of 50 g of basil leaves. Soak it overnight in 2-3 liters of water. Add 8 - 12 ml of soap.
Stir well.
Bait
Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)/bran bait
Moisten bran with a diluted solution of BT. Sprinkle the moist bran on the planting plots' surfaces 2
weeks before planting. Buy BT at your local agricultural suppliers.

Alpha®, Albaz®, Alpha Cymba®, Bestox®
Alpha cypermethrin
Diamondback moth
Damage
Newly hatched larvae mine tunnels in the leaves. As they grow older, the larvae feed on the undersides
of leaves but do not eat the veins, leaving the surfaces untouched, resulting in the 'window effect'. Lar-
vae make irregular holes, tunnel into the cabbage heads preventing further development. In broccoli
and cauliflower, Diamondback moths (DBM) feed on the leaves and not on the flower heads.
30
Damage caused by larvae of Diamondback moth
DBM Moth
Description
Eggs are tiny, ovate-shaped, and yellowish-white in color. These are laid singly or in groups of 2-3
along the veins in the upper and lower leaf surfaces. The eggs hatch in about 5-6 days.
Larvae are pale yellowish-green to green covered with fine, scattered, erect hairs and with a forked
posterior end. Mature larvae are cigar-shaped and about 12 mm long. The larval period lasts for
about 10-21 days. DBM larva is easily identified because it can wriggle violently backwards when
disturbed then drops from the plant suspended by a silken thread and finally climbs its way back up
and continues feeding.
Pupae are delicate, white open-mesh cocoons that are attached to the leaves, stems or seedpods of the
host plant. Pupae are light green but become brown as the adult moth becomes visible through the
cocoon. The pupal stage lasts from 5-15 days depending on the environmental conditions.
The adult moth is approximately 8-9 mm long with a wing span of 12-15 mm. The moth folds its
wings over the abdomen in a tent-like manner when immobile.
31
The wing tips are fringed with long hairs. Adult females can lay an average of 160 eggs during their
life span of about 16 days. Egg laying occurs at night. The greatest number of eggs is laid the first
night after emergence and egg laying continues for about 10 days. In the field, moths will fly up out
of the plant canopy when disturbed.
Cultural practices
Planting mustard as trap crops every 15 rows of crucifers reduces attack. Bold seeded Indian mustard
could also be sown densely all around the area 10 days before cabbage are planted. The plants attract
up to 80% DBM. However, monitor trap crops frequently so as to control DBM before it can transfer
to the main crop. Unattended trap crops can generate large populations of DBM. Care is needed to
manage intercrops in order to use them as part of a control practice.
Chili and neem seeds extract : Grind 200 grams of fully dried and shelled neem seeds. Soak overnight
in 4 liters of water. Add 12 pieces chopped hot chilies. Strain. This spray material also controls aphids
and other sucking and chewing insects.
Tomato leaf spray: Pound 500g of tomato leaves. Add to 8.5 liters of water. Strain. Stir in few drops
of liquid soap.
Vitexnegundo leaf extract
Cotesia plutellae pupa adult wasp

Diadegma Semiclausumfemale adult wasp
Soak 2 kg of leaves overnight in 5 liters of water. The next day, boil the mixture for 30 minutes. Cool
then strain. Add 10 liters of water and 10 ml soap to the filtrate. Stir well.
Pathogens
because it has to ingest BT before it is killed,but it cannot do more damage. It will take about 2-3
days after the pest will die. Read label thoroughly or ask assistance from local agriculturist if use for
32
the first time.
Biological control
The use of beneficial insects to control DBM Diadegmasemiclausum for control of DBM in the
highland and Cotesiaplutellae for the control in the lowland.
Chemicals control
Cyromazin cyroguard®
Bifenthrin Brigade
Natural pyrethrins + Garlic extracs Pyegar
Flubendiamide Belt®
Flea beetles
Damage
Flea beetles feed on seedlings. They usually feed on the undersides of leaves leaving numerous small
round or irregularly shaped holes, although not generally all the way through the leaf. Because the
beetle is small and active, it usually does not feed much in one spot. The larvae are root feeders.
They trim the root hairs and make circular pits in taproots. The adults feed on the leaves and stems
of emerging seedlings. They chew small holes or pits, usually less than 3 mm in diameter giving the
leaves a characteristic 'shot hole' appearance.
Description
The eggs are tiny white when freshly laid and gradually become yellowish-gray in color.
The larva is white with a brown head and three pairs of brown legs near its head.
33
The pupa is white, shaped roughly like adult and pupates in the soil. It is found in the soil near the base
of the plant on which it has been previously feeding.
The adult is small, hard, elongated, oval-shaped, with enlarged black hind legs and slightly hairy wing
covers. It is about 2 mm in size. It is bronze, darkmetallic bronze or black in color. It has enlarged hind
legs. They all jump vigorously like fleas when disturbed, hence the name.
Cultural practices
Plant the barrier crop along the edges of the field ahead of the main crop. Radish and Chinese mustard
are good trap crops. Adult flea beetles are attracted to the tallest and earliest crop available. Another
method is; Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea var. crispifolia) planted every 100 m between rows of
crucifers. Remove or treat trap crops when these are infested by pests or else the pests will transfer to
the protected crops. Row covers
Keep flea beetles away by putting row cover on seed boxes and/or seed beds immediately after sow-
ing.
Mulching
Place 2-3 inches of cut grasses or 2-4 inches of bark mulch and wood chips or 3-4 inches of compost
as your mulching materials to interfere the larvae’s root feeding activities.
Neem oil extract
Add 30 ml of neem oil into 1 liter of soapy water. Constantly shake the container or stir the extract
while in the process of application to prevent oil from separating.
Neem kernel extract
Add 30 grams of powdered kernel in 1 liter of water. Let it stand for 6 hours but not more than 16
hours. Add soap and stir. Constantly shake the container or stir the extract while in the process of
application.
Red Spider mites on cabbages
Damage
Generally, mites feed on the undersides of leaves. They use their sucking mouthparts to remove plant
saps. The upper leaf surface has a speckled or mottled appearance while the underneath appears tan
or yellow and has a crusty texture. Infested leaves may turn yellow, dry up, and drop in a few weeks.
Mites produce large amount of webbing. Heavy infestation will result in a fine cobwebby appearance
on the leaves. Plants die when infestation is severe.
34
Description
The eggs are tiny, spherical, pale-white, and are laid on the undersides of leaves often under the web-
bings. Eggs hatch in 4 or 5 days.
Red Spider mites on cabbages
Nymph looks similar to the adult but is only the size of an egg. It has only 6 legs. It molts 3 times
before becoming an adult.
The adult is also very tiny, maybe yellowish, greenish, pinkish, or reddish depending on the species.
It looks like a tiny moving dot. It has an oval body with 8 legs and with 2 red eyespots near the head
of the body.
The male is smaller than the female with a more pointed abdomen. A female usually has a large, dark
blotch on each side with numerous bristles covering her legs and body. Spider mite is not an insect.
Cultural practices
Provide plants with adequate water. Water stressed plants are prone to damage by mites. Avoid the
use of broad spectrum insecticide for this may cause a mites' outbreak. This practice kills the natural
enemies of mites and stimulates mites' reproduction.
35
Coriander seed extract
Pound or crush 200 grams of coriander seeds. Boil in 1 liter of water for 10 minutes. Cool and strain.
Dilute extract with 2 liters of water. This extract also prevents fungal diseases.
Basil leaf extract
Pound or grind of 50 g of basil leaves. Soak it overnight in 2-3 liters of water. Add 8 - 12 ml of soap.
Stir well. Spray on infected plants.
Other solution
Horticultural oil
Spray 2% solution against mites. To make a 2% solution, pour 1/3 cup oil into a 1 gallon container,
and then fill with water to make a 1 gallon solution. For a 3% solution, start with ½ cup of oil. Apply
successive sprays at least 6 weeks apart. You can apply 1% oil solution by mixing 2.5 tbsp of oil in 1
gallon of water. Horticultural oil is concentrated and must be mixed with water.
Whiteflies
Damage
Both the larvae and adults pierce and suck the sap of the leaves. This causes the weakening and early
wilting of the plant resulting in reduced plant growth. Their feeding may also cause yellowing, drying,
premature dropping of leaves that result in plant death. Whiteflies produce honeydews that serve as
the substrates for the growth of black sooty molds on leaves and fruit. The mold reduces photosyn-
thesis causing the poor plant growth of the plant. They are the most important carriers of plant viruses
that cause diseases of fiber crops, vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamentals.
Description
36
The eggs are tiny, oval-shaped, about 0.25 mm in diameter, and stand vertically on the leaf surface.
Newly laid eggs are white then turn brownish. They are deposited on the underside of leaves, some-
times in a circle or oval-shaped patterns.
The larvae are transparent, ovate, and about 0.30.7 mm in size and they move around on the plants
looking for a feeding site upon hatching.
The pupae are dirty-white and surrounded by wax and honeydews. During this stage, the red eyes of
the emerging adults are visible.
The adults are about 1mm long with two pairs of white wings and light yellow bodies. Their bodies
are covered with waxy powdery materials. They are found feeding on top of the plants. A female can
produce as many as 200 eggs in her lifetime and mating is not necessary. It takes about 40 days to
develop from egg to adult.
Garlic oil spray
Chop finely 100 g of garlic. Soak the chopped garlic in mineral oil for a day. Add ½ liter and 10 ml of
soap. Dilute filtrate with 10 liters of water. Constantly shake the container or stir the extract while in
the process of the application to prevent oil from separating.
Madre de cacao &neem
Shred 1 kg of Madre de cacao leaves and 1 kg of neem leaves. Soak leaves in 5 liters of water for 3
days. Strain. Add water to make up 20 liters of filtrate. Spraying interval is 4-5 days.
Neem oil extract
Add 15 ml of neem oil into 1 liter of soapy water. Constantly shake the container or stir the extract
while in the process of application to prevent oil from separating.
Spray solution
Soap spray
Mix 2 ½ tablespoons of liquid soap to a galloon of water.Potato starch spray
Mix 2-4 tablespoons potato flour to 1 litres of water and add 2-3 drops of liquid soap, shake the mix-
ture and spray thoroughly before spraying
37
Acetamiprid Manik®, Golan®, Twiga Ace®
Imidacloprid Tata Mida®, Murclorprid®, Confidor®
Acephate Asataf®
(Natural pyrethrins + Garlic extracs) Pyegar etc.
Buprofezin Applaud®
Deltamethrin Decis Forte®
Snails
Damage
Snails feed on the seedlings and the growing plants. Their feeding damage on the leaves is irregular
large holes but they can consume the young seedlings completely.
Cultural practices
Limit the addition of organic matters into the area when the infestation is causing economic loss be-
cause organic matters are very attractive to slugs. Slugs eat on organic matters found in the soil.
Screen the seedbed or seedling plot using a fine mesh screen of about 7.5 cm high that surrounds the
plot and securely fix about 2.5 cm of it into the ground.
Traps
38
Trap the snails using 30 cm x 30 cm white painted-surface wooden boards. Place them securely along
the plant's rows. At daytime, snails take shelter underneath the cooler places. Be sure to check the
wooden traps before sunset and collect the snails. Crush or place them in a bucket of soapy water.
Potato or cabbage, cereal bran or chicken food can be placed under the board as an attractant.
Over-turned earthen flower pots, placed under the shady part of the plant, is another way of trapping
them. Make sure to make an opening to let them crawl underneath and to collect them before sunset.
Crushing them in the pots also make the pots more attractive to other snails.
Plant ash, saw dusts, sand, or eggshells
Sprinkle enough ash, sand, or crushed eggshells at the base of the plants. The snails are sensitive to
harsh objects which prevent them from crawling into the plants. Remember to keep these substances
dry to be effective. But make sure that your control method is not a waste of time because snails are
problematic only when the soil is moist.
Baits
Grapefruit and melon peel baits
After eating grapefruit and/or melon, invert the peel as food and as a cool shelter for the pests. Be sure
to collect peels and kill the trapped pests.
Yeast and water solution
Dissolve 1 tbsp of yeast in 100 ml of water. Fill any shallow container with the solution. Bury up to
the rim near the plant. Make some modifications to cover your trap to avoid non-target pests from
entering. The snails drink, get drunk and drown in the pan. Monitor the pans and the trapped snails.
Change the solution when necessary, especially after rain.
Spray solution
A 2% caffeine solution in water . Spray directly on the trapped pests. Test solution on a few plants first
as it can cause yellowing to some leaves.
Thrips
Prevention
• Eliminate previous crop residues
• Plant tolerant varieties
• Can practice solarisation methods to kill the pupa
• Plant living barriers; Mexican marigold followed by sunflower. (Mexican mari-

gold attracts thrips from beans and sunflower hosts Oriusspp which feeds on the thrips)
39
• Deep plough so as to incorporate previous crop residue into the soil (kills thrips at all stages
of development).
• Intercrop with onion, garlic, spider plant, corriander
• Avoid too much N. Split applications of recommended fertilizer rates.
• Plant in a well prepared fertile seedbed to promote crop vigour
• Keep the fields free of weeds and alternative hosts such as wild mustards
• Manage the field to favour natural enemies such as lady bird beetles, Orius, hover flies and Aphidius
to help manage
Monitoring
• Randomly check for thrips damage before flowering stage at the growing tips of the plants
• Monitor for thrips early in the mornings before sunrise (i.e. 9 -2.30 o’clock) since thrips tends to hide
inside the flowers or underneath the leaves
• Monitor with sticky traps (blue ones) to capture adults.
• Shake the flowers on a white piece of paper to check for adult thrips presence
• Take action when you notice three thrips per plant
• Monitor leaves for larvae (silvery appearance) so that you act early
Direct
•Use mass trapping using blue sticky traps. To be placed above the vegetative part of the plants
•Imidacloprid
• Deltamethrin 10ml-15ml/20L, after 8 days Azadirachtin 50-60ml/20L, after 8 days follow with
Metarhiziumanisoplae (ICIPE 69) 10g
•Lambda Cyhalothrin 2.5 % W/V (10-15ml/20L)
Restrictions
40
• Good spray coverage is essential as thrips hide underneath the flowers of leaves
• Use recommended rates of insecticides and rotate between chemicals
• Observe Pre Harvest Interval (PHI) as indicated on the product label
• Wear protective clothing when handling chemicals
• Apply chemicals early in the mornings or late in the evenings and NEVER on sunny weather to
prevent chemical evaporations thus losses
• Apply Insecticides at 50% flowering on the crop; then follow alternating with botanicals after every
8 days to avoid chemical residues on the harvested beans.

Acetamiprid Manik®, Golan®, Twiga Ace®
Imidacloprid Tata Mida®, Murclorprid®, Confidor®
Bifenthrin 2.5% Brigade
Pirimiphos-Methyl Actelic 25EC
41
CHAPTER 11
Diseases
Bacterial soft rot
42
An initial infection occurs on the outer petiole (leafstalk) which is in contact with the soil, and then
progresses to its head. An infected head is watery and often has a complete head rot. The affected
area becomes soft and mushy and generally turns dark in color. Soft rot infection on crucifers almost
always emits a foul odor when other secondary organisms invade the infected tissues.
Control nematodes and other insect pests that serve as vectors (carriers) of the bacteria to invade the
plant tissues If possible, avoid plant injury during weeding especially when the disease symptoms
are observed
Remove infected plants immediately and destroy by burning.
Black rot
Black-rot, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonascampestrispv.campestris, is the most serious disease

of crucifers in Kenya. The bacterium attacks many species of the Brassica family. Among these are
cabbage, collard, kale, mustard and turnip. Plants may be affected at any stage of growth. This disease
is seed borne and is often introduced by contaminated seeds or infected transplants. In some areas of
the country, the disease is of minor importance; however, in some parts of Kenya the conditions, the
disease becomes serious and many growers sustain severe economic loss. In some cases, the crop may
be destroyed. In the field, the disease is easily recognized by the presence of large yellow to yellow-
43
orange V-shaped lesions extending inward from the margin of the leaf.
When infected seeds germinate, the resulting young plants usually die quickly; however, these plants
serve as an inoculum source for other plants. If infection occurs in young seedlings, the disease is
much more severe because the main stem becomes infected and the disease becomes systemic and
moves throughout the plant. These plants remain stunted and the veins in the stem are black. Heads
developed from these plants deteriorate rapidly after harvest.
The bacterium enters the vascular system of the plant principally through natural openings and inju-
ries on the leaf. In time, the bacterium spreads in the vascular system of the leaf and stem. The disease
spreads and causes most damage in wet, warm weather. It does not usually spread in dry weather and
is inactivated at temperatures below 50°F. The bacterium can survive in the soil for 14 to 42 days,
depending on the season, and in old cabbage stems for 244 days. The disease is also carried over on
weed hosts such as “pepper grass” and with wild species of mustard, radish and turnip. The bacterium
is spread by splashing rain, irrigation and running surface water as well as insects and other move-
ment in the field while the plants are wet. Disease management strategies such as crop rotation away
from contaminated land for two years and use of certified seed or transplants are effective. There is
no remedial control for this disease
Management:
Prevention
• Use certified tolerant varieties like Baraka F1, Globe Master F1, Blue dynasty FI, Riana F1.
• Rotate with non-brassicas like maize and legumes for at least 2 years.
• Keep field free from weeds to avoid alternate host of brassica family.
• Alternate dry and wet spells in the soil
• Crop rotation
Monitoring
44
Monitor for
• Yellow, brown v-shaped patches at the edge of the leaves.
• If the yellow/black lesion is held against the light, black veins are visible.
• A cross section of infected stem reveals a black ring.
• In later stages, head turns black with an offensive foul smell.
• Disease is common during wet conditions with high temperatures.
• Take immediate action when first symptoms appear.
Direct Control
• Remove all infected plant and debris from the field and destroy by burning.
• Spray the remaining plants using a protective fungicide to suppress further damage. (See direct
control yellow option)
• Copper based fungicides may be used as a protective spray e.g. copper oxy chloride. (Kocide or
Isacop) to prevent disease development.
Chemical control
Copper Oxychloride Sulcop®, Isacop®,
Copper Hydroxide Funguran®
45
Restrictions
• Moderately hazardous (WHO Class II).
• Spray interval of 14 days during wet weather.
• Use a maximum of 3 sprays.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Follow instructions as per manufacturer.
• Recommendation on pre-harvest interval.
Downy mildew
The plant is stunted with the leaves wilting and becoming yellow particularly on hot and sunny days
club-like galls are formed on roots.
• Use disease free transplants, do not use any club rooted seedlings as transplants
• Avoid moving infected transplants and/or infested soil on farm equipment to clean fields.
• Maintain soil pH at 7 – 7.3 with hydrated lime.
• Provide and maintain well drained soil.
• To reduce the risk of club root occurrence in fields that have not had the disease, grow crucifers on
the same soil no more than once every 3-4 years.
• In fields where the disease has occurred, rotate cruciferous crops with unrelated crops for a period of
7-10 years. Each time cabbage is planted in the rotation, hydrated lime should be applied.
The disease initially appears as irregular yellow patches on the leaves. These lesions later turn tan
46
to light-brown. During cool and humid weather condition, the fungus develops white fungal growths
on the undersides of leaves. Heavily infested leaves will have a blighted appearance as a result of
numerous infection sites. Early symptoms on transplants may resemble bacterial leaf spot. Severely
diseased seedlings are stunted that will die eventually.
Compost tea
Put a gallon of well-matured compost into a 5 gallon (20 liters) container. Add water until the con-
tainer is full. Stir well. Place in warm place for 3 days to ferment. Strain.
Baking soda Dissolve 1 tbsp of baking soda in 4 cups of warm water. Add 1 tsp of liquid soap. Mix
well.
Downy mildew
The disease initially appears as irregular yellow patches on the leaves. These lesions later turn tan to
light-brown. During cool and humid weather condition, the fungus develops white fungal growths
on the undersides of leaves. Heavily infested leaves will have a blighted appearance as a result of
numerous infection sites. Early symptoms on transplants may resemble bacterial leaf spot. Severely
diseased seedlings are stunted that will die eventually.
Downy mildew
Club root
47
Chemical control
Tebuconazole Score®
Hexaconazole cotaf®
Di and Mono potassium Fosphite Fosphite®
Sulfur Microthiol special disperse
Axystrobin Twiga-AZ
Propineb Melody Duo®
Fluopicocolide Infinito®
Nematodes in vegetable
Root-knot nematode is the only nematode of economic importance that affects crucifers. All species
of root-knot are considered pests of crucifers. Cabbage, turnip, mustard and spinach are the main
crops affected. Stunted growth and chlorosis are the above-ground symptoms. Classic galling of the
root system is key for diagnosing root-knot nematode damage. Rotation and chemical treatment are
the control practices.Effects on roots, on plants have stunted growth and premature flowering
Nemasol
Active ingredient Application method Examples

• Soil fumigation
Metam sodium Nemasol®
• drenching
Paecilomyces-lilacinus - Bio-nematon®, PL- plus®
seed dressing marshal 350std®
48
CHAPTER 12
Intercrop Pest control

Plants that repel insect pests
49
CHAPTER 13
Harvesting
Pre-harvest interval (PHI)
Pre-harvest interval is the time between the last pesticide application and harvests of the treated crop.
The PHI must be adhered to for all crops. Failure to adhere to the PHI will result in pesticide residues
in the harvested produce, which will render the crop unfit for human consumption and for sale. It is
illegal to sell crops where the PHI has not been adhered to. Heads are cut when they are firm. Heads
for the loose head / hawker market should be cut with a few outer leaves to protect them during
transportation. However as outer leaves are not required for the bagging market, the heads can be
cut higher up on the stem. After harvesting, cabbage stumps should not be left in the ground as they
may contribute to field contamination via pests or insects. The ideal is to have a high first cut percent-
age, (80% +) this can be achieved through good management and choosing a cultivar that produces
uniform heads. If the cultivar does not mature uniformly it adds further costs as irrigation and labour
continues for every cut after the first cut.
Field Hygiene during harvest Good field hygiene is required to ensure your crop is free of contami-
50
nants. This is essential for it to be sold in the market. Good field hygiene practices must always be
adhered to when harvesting fresh vegetables.
Crop maturity, handling and storageCabbages should be harvested during the cooler parts of the day
to avoid heat and sun damage. To ensure best prices, the base should be neatly trimmed with a clean,
sharp instrument to prevent from tearing and rotting. Cutting blades should be regularly cleaned to
prevent the spread of disease. For field packed cabbages, the leaves should be stripped away to pres-
ent a neat and clean product with the shape typical of the variety. For best prices, consult the most
recent marketing specifications for size requirements. Smaller size cabbages can be more profitable
than larger sized ones. Cabbages are prone to damagewhich reduces shelf-life and sale ability of the
product. They must be handled with care and never be thrown or dropped. Harvested cabbage should
be moved from the field to a cool shaded location for short term storage. They must never be left ex-
posed to direct sun. This is especially important during late season harvesting when air temperatures
and intensity of the midday sun will dramatically reduce quality. Cabbages should be free from me-
chanical damage and be of uniform shape and size in each tray. Cabbages should be packed carefully
to reduce risk of damage in transit. Crates must be stacked safely and securely so they are not resting
on the produce beneath.
Grading
To ensure cabbages receive the best price, they must be graded according to the current ADFSC speci-
fications. These can be obtained from your local procurement officer.
51
CHAPTER 14
Managing agrochemicals
Effective techniques of chemical application.
• Be keen to also spray under the leaves
• Spray early in the morning 6 a.m.
• Spray when the wind is calm.
• Directed pre-harvest interval (PHI) shall be adhered to.
• ADD GENERAL MGT GUIDELINES ON IRRIGATED SYSTEMS.
• Water quality, application consistency, weed control,
• Choose the right product for target pest,
• use the right knapsack sprayer nozzles for the product
52
• Use spreaders and wetters to increase product efficacy e.g. agral 90®
• Ensure good crop coverage of the spray
• Always read the product label
Safety measures when handling pesticides
Pesticides refer to chemicals used in agriculture to control insect pests, diseases, weeds and other
pests in the homestead. These chemicals are dangerous to human beings, livestock,wild life and the
environment if not handled or used carefully.
When handling pesticides one should have full protective kit, i.e an overall suit, gumboots,eye gog-
gles, gloves, masks to ensure no chemical comes into contact with any part of the body or inhaling
of the chemical or its fumes. Before any chemical application read instructions carefully to know its
mode of action for prevention of any poisoning, antidote and the rate of use.
When spraying avoid eating, drinking, smoking and windy condition, incase of weather changes
ensure you spray following the wind direction. After spraying wash the sprayer, the clothes worn
during spraying and then take a bath. After cleaning dispose the water in safe area where it will not
contaminate food, grass for livestock and underground water.
Incase of any accidental poisoning urgently go to hospital for treatment.
Identification of Illegal Pesticides
Products come in the following forms;
1.Counterfeit/Fake –an imitation of the original in physical aspects but no active ingredient as com-
pared to original.
2. Unregistered products and Improperly labeled products – not registered for any use locally. There-
fore contains unknown compounds which might be very toxic. Do not have PCPB approved labels
whose information has been vetted to be true and conveying the correct information for safe use.
3. Expired products – shelf-life or storage period over which the product remains effective is over and
product quality cannot be guaranteed
4. Repacked/decanted products - transferred into another container, not authorized and unapproved
material /packs without labels
Key points to note about illegal products;
• Poor labeling – poor workmanship, Photocopied, scanned or typed labels
53
• Batch numbers- rubber stamped, photo-copied and not clear, not consistent with the supplier
• Shelf life- normally very long as compared to established duration (researched/package)
• Addresses/Telephone numbers-untrue/any and in some cases of a different place
• Pictograms -just put without due consideration of the product (toxicity)
• PACKAGING /WEIGHT - wrong weight as per pack size.
• TERMS OF SALE -Very good terms- cheap and on cash
• Stockists – mostly sold through non approved stockists and distributors
54
CHAPTER 15
Common cabbage varieties in Kenya
55
yield
P l a n t Head weight Maturi- ty Resista- nce/
No. Variety Name ( T / General remarks Company
56
spacing (kg) (Days) Relance
acre)
Black rot and
6 0 c m Semi-round 9 0 - 1 0 0
1 AMIGO 45-70 Diamond back requires warm cool areas SEMINIS
x60cm head 4-6kg Days
moth
R o u n d
6 0 c m fat growing with compact
2 AMUKO SI F1 H e a d . 1 . 5 - 70-120 60-65 Days SEMINIS
x60cm Head
2.5kg
Round Head, Black rot, Ring
6 0 c m High yielding bluish green,
3 BARAK A F1 bluish green. 75 Days spot and Cabbage EA.SEED
x60cm good field holding capacity
4-6kgs yellow
Medium, Late maturing, blue
Black rot, Fusarium
BLUE DYNAS 6 0 c m Round combact green cabbage low protection
4 45-68 80-85 Days Yellow. Diamond SEMINIS
TY F1 x60cm head 4-6kg cost, high yielding and market
back moth.
demand, high profit margins
excellent head cover, fast

CABBAGE F1 compact Head KENYA HIGHLAND
5 45-56 70-75 Days Fusarium yellows uniform growth, Early
PRETORIA 4-5kg SEED COMPANY
maturing, high yielding
C H I N E S E 6 0 c m
6 Oval 1-5-2kg 10 50 Days Early maturing SEMINIS HORTITEC
MICHIH ILI x50cm
AMIRAN SAFARI
Early maturing, short
SEMINIS, SMLAW,
C O P E N 2 8 - Black rot and stemmed rather small, highly
6 0 c m Uniform round, EASEEDHYGROTECH,
7 H A G E N 5 0 T / 60-65 Days Diamond back dependable and productive in
x60cm firm 2-3kg VETAGRO, HORTITEC,
MARKET acre moth warm conditions, resistance to
F A R M C H E M ,
bursting
GRIFFATION
EARLY DRUM 70cm x
8 flat 4 kg 15-30 90 Days Late maturing SIMLAW, HORTITEC
HEAD 60cm
E A R L Y 6 0 c m Black rot , Fusarium
9 Round 2kg 15-30 65 Days early maturing EASEED
MARKET F1 x60cm yellow
Blue green colour, high yielding
6 0 c m
10 FANAKA F1 Flat round 4kg 75-80 Days , good flavour, heat tolerance, EASEED
x60cm
good field holding capacity
F I E L D 6 0 c m
11 Semi flat 4kg 15-30 80 Days Black rot Medium maturing SIMLAW
WINNER F1 x60cm
wide adaptively, blue green
G L O B E 6 0 c m Black rot ,
12 Globe 3-5 kg 15-30 75 Days colour, high yielding, good EASEED
MASTER F1 x60cm Fusarium, Yellows
field holding capacity
wide adaptively, medium early
6 0 c m Round Head Black rot, Fusarium
13 GROLIA F1 15-30T 75-90 Days hybrid, good field holding SIMLAW, EASEED
x60cm 2-5kg yellows
capacity
GLORY OF 60cm x Flat round Very attractive variety, firm and

14 15-30T 90 Days EASEEDS, SIMLAW
ENKHUI ZEN 45cm head 3.5 kg sweet.
G O L D E N 60cm x SIMLAW, SAFARI,

15 Round 2kg 15-30T 65 Days Early maturing
ACRE 60cm HORTITEC
3 0 c m
G R E E N Diamond back
x30cm, Round and medium maturing, blue green
16 CHALLA GER 40-50T 60 Days moth, Black rot , SEMINIC
60cm x cobact 2.5-3kg cabbage
F1 Fusarium yellow
60cm
G R E E N 60cm x Oblate, head Medium early maturity, deep
17 15-30 75-80 Days EASEED
CORONET F1 60cm 4kg green
Resistance to
Round ,
60cm x Fusarium, Yellows Bluish green, very compact,
18 HARAK F1 uniform hybrid 60 Days EASEED
60cm and Diamond back good field holding capacity
2.5kgs
moth
60cm x Black rot heat and
19 HERO F1 Oval. 2kg 15-30 65 Days Chinese cabbage EASEED
60cm cold
Easily sold , early and uniform
Compact head maturity , transport well,
20 OXYLUS F1 45-56 70-75 Days SEMINIC
4-5 kg adapts well, high yielding with
high profit margins
P R I C E 70cm x Black rot, Diamond
21 Flat 4kg 15-30T 95 Days Late maturing SIMLAW
DRUMHE AD 60cm back moth
60cm x High round 5.5
22 PRUKTOR F1 15-30T 80 Days Medium maturing SIMLAW
60cm kg
R E D 60cm x Compact head Diamond back

23 45 75-85 Days Red cabbage medium maturing SEMINIS
DYNASTY 60cm 4kg moth , Black rot
RED MONTE 6 0 c m Round smooth 9 0 - 1 0 0 Black rot, Fusarium

24 15-30 Blue reddish cabbage SIMLAW
CHRISTO F1 x45cm head 2-4kg Days yellows
57
6 0 c m
25 RED ROCK Round 3kg 15-30 70 Days Red cabbage SIMLAW
x45cm
58
both heat and cold tolerant,
60cm x Round head 9 0 - 1 0 0
26 RIANA F1 15-30 Black rot , Tip burn Blue green, white internal SIMLAW, EASEED
60cm 1.5-2.5kg Days
color , resistance to splitting
60cm x 1 1 0 - 9 0 - 1 0 5 Diamond back
27 RINDA F1 4-8 KG Green compact cabbage SEMINIS
60cm 180 Days moth , Black rot
ROMEN CO 45cm x medium maturing green
28 2.5-4 kg 60-113 70-75 Days SEMINIS
RS 45cm cabbage
60 cm x Semi flat 4.5
29 ROTAN F1 15-30 70 Days Heat tolerant medium maturing SIMLAW
45cm kg
60 cm x
30 RUBY BALL Round 2kg 20-Oct 75-85 Days Heat tolerant Purple red cabbage AMIRAN
45cm
RUBY PER 60cm x
31 round 2kg 20-Oct 75-85 Days Heat and Cold Deed rep cabbage EASEED
FECTION F1 60cm
60cm x Soherical , 3-6 Diamond back AMIRAN SAVANA
32 SANTA F1 16-32 80-90 Days medium dark green cabbage
40cm kg moth SEEDS
60cm x deep green cabbage with
33 SAVOY SAGA round 3-4 kg 34-45 75-90 Days SEMINIS
60cm wrinkled leaves
medium maturing, ideal for
60cm x Black rot , Fusarium all markets, performs well
34 STAR 3308 semi globe 45-65 80-90 Days FARMC HEM
60cm yellows in moderate temperature
conditions
early to medium with firm
60cm x heads, medium to large upright
35 STAR 3317 F1 semi globe 80-90 Days Black rot PANNAR DEED K LTD
60cm frame, exceptional hold ability
, good uniformity
60cm x SAFARI, SIMLAW,
36 SUGAR LOAF conical 2kg 16/32T 75 Days medium maturing
60cm AMIRAN , HORTITEC
Fusarium yellows,
S U P E R 60cm x round or flat- Alternaria , Black
37 20-40 80-85 Days widely adaptable, bluish green EASEED
MASTER 60cm round 4-5kg rot, Diamond back
moth
Resistance: Determinate for both outdoor
Verticillium wilts,
and indoor. Suitable for all soil
Fusarium races
types. Firm fruits that transport
S U Z A N N A 90cm x
38 pear blocky 35-50 1&2, Stem Phylum,
well &high quality , long shelf GRIFFA TION
F1VFFST 45cm
Tolerance : Bacterial
life, tolerant to water logging,
wilt ,Nematodes &
suitable for fresh market and
Fungal blight processing
Compact head, uniform growth.
60cm x round head Blue green in colour. Matures
39 VICTORIA F1 45-56 70-75 Days SEMINIS, EASEED
60cm 4-5kg fast & high profits. Transports
well.
Flat topped
Excellent field holding capacity,
60cm x bluish green Black rot and
40 ZAWADI F1 90 Days good heat tolerance excellent EASEED
60cm compact head Downy Mildew
uniformity , transport well
4-6kg
R o u n d
Tolerance to Black
compact head Excellent field holding capacity,
60cmx rot, Ring spot
41 Fiona F1 with uniform 45-65 70 Days good heat tolerance excellent SEEDCO
45cm ,yellow and Downy
maturity head uniformity
Mildew
4-6kg
45 x 45
cm for Strong vigoruos plant type
medium with blueish green leaves and
3.5 kg- 4.5 40 - 60
head or Diamnond back medium large frames. Excellent
42 ROSSY F1 kg at 80 days t o n e s / 80 days CONTINENTAL
45 x 30 moth (DBM) attack wrapper leaves that allow the
maturity acre
cm for head to remain fresh for a long
medium time in the market and shelves.
head
59
CHAPTER 16
Costs in cabbage production in Kenya
Gross margin: Cabbage production per acre. Prucktor variety
The total cost of producing any crop includes variable and fixed costs. The variable (operating) costs
vary with the cultural practices used. Common variable costs include seed, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel
and labor. Fixed costs include items such as equipment ownership (deprecation, interest, insurance
and taxes), management and general overhead costs. Most of these costs are incurred even if little
production takes place.
Variable costs are further broken down into pre-harvest operations in the budgets. This provides an
opportunity to analyze the costs at different stages of the production process.
Land cost can be a variable or a fixed cost. Even if you own the land, cost is involved. Land is fixed
cost in the sample budget. If land is double-cropped, charge each enterprise half the annual cost.
A fixed cost per hour of use shows ownership costs for tractors and equipment (depreciation, interest,
taxes, insurance and shelter). Overhead and management are 15 percent of all pre-harvest variable
expenses. This figure pays for management and farm costs that cannot be allocated to any one specific
enterprise. Overhead items include utilities, farm shop and equipment, pick-up trucks and fees.
Item Unit Quantity Costs/Units(KES) Value(KES)
GROSS INCOME Heads
11,000 30 330,000
Variable costs
Acre 1
ploughing/harrowing 10,000 10,000
10g
Seeds 150
sachets(grams) 40 6,000
Manure lorries 1
7,000 7,000
Fertilizer (DAP) Bags 2
3,400 6,800
Fertilizer (CAN) bags 3
2,000 6,000
Planting Man-days 10
300 3,000
Diseases and Pests
control
Karate litres 1
2,100 2,100
Thuricide litres 1
1,500 1,500
Brigade litres 1
850 850
Fungicide litres 1
1,500 1,500
Fertilizer application Man-days 6
300 1,800
Weeding labour Man-days 20
300 6,000
Spraying labour Man-days 10
300 3,000
Nursery Man-days 30
300 9,000
Harvesting Man-days 15
300 4,500
Total variables costs
69,050
60
Gross margin/acre
260,950
Gross Margin/Ha 22000
30 660,000
Cost of producing
KES 6
cabbage head
The above table indicates that the cost of production for cabbage is KES 6. (Six Shillings only)
per head. However the gross margin will largely depend on the variety grown, the level of
management employed by the farmer and prevailing market situation.
61
CHAPTER 17
Common chemicals used by Farmers in Kenya
A1.1 Insecticides
TRADE NAME ACTIVE INGREDIENT USES PHI
Actara 25WG Thiamethoxam Systemic broad spectrum insecticide for control of 3-7 days
sucking and some chewing insects in vegetables,
tobacco ornamentals and flowers and leaf miner
in coffee.
Asataf Acephate Insecticide for use in control of aphids and thrips 3-7 days
on flowers and vegetables. Aphids, white flies
and bud worms on tobacco.
Bulldock 025EC Beta Cyfluthrin Insecticide for control of biting and sucking 7 days
insecticides.
Bulldock Star Beta Cyfluthrin + Broad spectrum insecticide for control of aphids 7 days
Chlorprifos in barley. Aphids, whiteflies and caterpillar in
tomatoes, beans, egg plants and kales. Thrips in
tomato, beans, egg plants and kales. Boll worms,
aphids and cotton strainers in cotton.
Confidor 200SL Imidacloprid Insecticide for control of coffee leaf miner (Soil 3 days
drenching)
Decis 0.5 ULV Deltamethrin Insecticide for use in cotton, vegetables, cereals 1 day
and ornamentals
Decis 2.5EC Deltamethrin Insecticide for use in cotton, coffee, fruit trees,
vegetables, ornamentals and cereals for maize
stock borer control.
Decis Tab Deltamethrin Insecticide for control of bean flower thrips, 1 day
aphids, white flies in French beans, tomatoes.
Boll worms on tomatoes
D u d u t h r i n Lambda cyhalithrin Insecticide for use on cotton, horticultural crops, 1-7 days
1.7EC cereals, ornamentals
Dynamec 1.8 EC Abamectin Control of diamond back moth and aphids on 3-7 days
kales. Bean flower thrips on French beans. It has
miticidal activity.
Karate 2.5WG Lambda Cyhalothrin Control of aphids thrips, caterpillars and white 1-7days
flies on vegetables
K e l t h a n e Dicofol Controls mites in cotton, Fruit crops, berries, 3-7 days
18.5EC nuts, vegetables, tea and ornamentals
Lannate 25WP Methomyl Control of thrips, aphids and caterpillars on 1 day
French beans. Aphids, saw flies, white flies, and
diamond back moth on cabbage.
Omite 57EC Propargite Control of mites on cotton, ornamentals/flowers 7 days
Ortus 5SC Fenpyroximate Insecticide/miticide for control of red spider mite 1 day
on vegetables
Talstar 50EC Bifenthrin Insecticide/miticide on cotton. 3 days
Mitac 20EC Amitraz Miticide/Insecticide control of mites and white 7-14 day
flies in cotton, fruits, vegetables, ornamental or
flowers
Nemacur 400EC Insecticides/Nematicide for use with drip
irrigation (on flowers).
A1.2 Biological Pesticides
62
T R A D E A C T I V E
USES PHI
NAME INGREDIENT
Neem based insecticide for control of insect
Achook EC Azadirachtin N/A
pests in horticultural crops
Neem based insecticide for use in horticultural
Neemroc EC Azadirachtin + Neem N/A
crops
Neem based insecticide for use in horticultural
Neemros Azadirachtin N/A
crops
Control of caterpillars, aphids, thrips on
Pesthrin 6% EC Pyrethrin N/A
brassicas and French beans
Nimbecidine Neem based insecticide for use in horticultural
Azadirachtin N/A
EC crops
Thuricide HP Bacillus thuringiensis A bacteria culture for control of caterpillars. N/A
A1.3 Fungicides
TRADE NAME ACTIVE INGREDIENT USES PHI
Amistar 250SC Azoxystrobine Broad spectrum foliar fungicide for the control of 3 days
leaf rust, leaf and glume in barley spot brotch, net
brotch and scald in wheat.
Antracol WP 70 Propineb Broad spectrum for control of fungal diseases on 7 days
vegetables fruit crops, ornamental/flowers. On
potatoes and tomatoes to control late and early
blight.
Cobox WP Copper oxychloride Control of coffee berry disease and leaf rust on 7 days
coffee. Also blights and leaf spots in vegetables
Copper nodox Cuprous oxide Control of coffee berry disease and leaf rust on 7 days
coffee. Also blights and leaf spots in vegetables,
tomatoes and potatoes
Cosavet DF Sulphur Control of powdery mildew in vegetables 1 day
Cupravit 50WP Copper oxychloride Control of leaf rust in coffee and vegetables 7 days
C u p r o c a f f a r o Copper oxychoride Control of coffee berry and leaf rust on coffee. 7 days
WP Use on potatoes and tomatoes against early blight,
cucurbits and brassicas against anthracnose. Bean
rust, bacterial blight in cucurbits and brassicas.
Daconil 2787 Chlorothalonil Broad spectrum protectant fungicide for control 7 days
WP of coffee berry disease and many diseases in
fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and citrus against
fruits and leaf spots
Daconil 720SC Chlorothalonil Contact fungicide for control of coffee berry 7 days
disease, bean rust, angular leaf spot, anthracnose
and botrytis on French beans. Aschochyta and
botrytis on snow peas
Dithane M45 Mancozeb Control of rusts, leaf spots on French beans. 3 -
14days
Equation pro Famoxadine + Broad spectrum and penetrating fungicide 3 days
Cymoxanil against early and late blight on potatoes, downy
mildew on snow peas, sugar snaps, onions and
ornamental, powdery mildew on cucurbits, bean
rusts, bean anthracnose and angular leaf spot on
French beans.
63
CHAPTER 18
Natural enemies
TRADE NAME SUBSTANCE USES

Biological insecticide for control of Lepidoptera larva and
Thuricide HP Bacillus thuringiensis other pests on vegetables eg Giant Lopper, green lopper, leaf
skeletonizers and jelly grab in coffee
Natural fungal organism for control of white flies, thrips,
BB Plus Beauveriabassiana
aphids, mites and scales
Amblseiuscalifornicus An indigenous natural enemy for control of red spider mite

Amblytech
(Predatory mites) on vegetables.
64
CHAPTER 19
Organic products in the markets
PRODUCTS
A C T I V E PCPB REG
T R A D E TARGETS DOSAGE COMMENTS
INGREDIENT NO.
NAME
 Powdery mildew, Spray at first instance of
Garlic Extracts
GC-3 infestation for effective
 Leaf spots
PCPB(CR)0787 3ml per lit management of powdery
 A good insect mildews, alternate GC-3
repellant with Fosphite
PL PLUS Biological Nematicides
that lasts in media/soil
Paecilomy
PCPB(R)0472  Nematodes 2kg per Ha killing nematode eggs,
ceslilacinus
nymphs, young juveniles
and adults
 Controls Aphids,
PYEGAR  mites,
N a t u r a l Good biological pesticide
 bollworms,
Pyrethrins + PCPB(CR)0794 which is also a repellant
Garlic extracts  caterpillars, 3ml per lit to insect pests
 Whiteflies and
scales.
 Blights,
FOSPHITE A systemic fungicide
53SL Mono and  mildew, Soil drench or with both curative and
D i - p o t a s s i u m PCPB®0365 foliar spray protective properties
 rots,
Phosphite 3-5mls per lit against a wide range
 Pythium, dumping ofrangeof plant disease.
off, leafstpot
 Fusarium,
Good soil conditioner
 Pythium containing 14
Fungi, bacteria  Caterpillars, microorganisms. A
ROOTGARD PCPB(CR)0796 2-4kg per Ha
and enzymes rare product with
 DBM botrytis and both insecticidal and
solubilisation of fungicidal activity.
bonded phosphates
 When applied in the

soil, it facilitates
nutrient and water
absorption into the A Botanical soil
plant and stimulates conditioner and organic
5mls/20liters
Natural Wet Saponins N/A plant growth and wetter. Can be applied
of water
development as a foliar spray or as a
drench.
 Sticker and very
compatible with
most products
65
 The fungi play an
important role in Plants may exhibit
plant physiology, nutrient deficiencies
Mycorrhizal and reduced vigor
Mycomax N/A  Mineral nutrition, 2kgs/Acre
Fungi without the symbiotic
 water absorption relationship with
and disease mycorrhizal fungi
resistance.
 Management of a
wide range of pests
including bollworms,
caterpillars, thrips, It can be used on cotton,
aphids, scales, coffee, cabbages,
whiteflies and tomatoes, beans,
N a t u r a l
mites. oranges, mangoes, roses
Pyneem Pyrethrins and 3mls/liter
and carnations. It can be
Neem oil  It can be used on used during harvesting as
cotton, coffee, it will not leave residuals
cabbages, tomatoes, on the produce.
beans, oranges,
mangoes, roses and
carnations.
It can be used in a wide
 Management of a range of crops including
wide range of pests beans, tomatoes,
including bollworms, oranges, mangoes,
N a t u r a l caterpillars, thrips,
3mls/liter roses, beans, hypericum,
pyrethrins, aphids, scales,
Pyerin PCPB(CR) 0795 runner beans, snow
Neem oil and whiteflies, and peas and carnations.
garlic extracts mites Can be applied as a soil
 Pathogenic plant drench for the control
nematodes. of nematodes and as a
foliar spray
 It is a soil
conditioning agent,
 Improves soil Aids in the conversion of

structure, stimulates nutrients into available
the activity of soil form, increases soil’s
micro-organisms, water holding capacity
Humax Humic acid N/A 2kgs/ha and increases soil
 Promotes seed aeration, tilth and
germination, workability.
enhances nutrient
uptake thereby
promoting plant
growth,
Annex 1: Table: 2. monthly cropping calendar of activities
Management
practices
66
I. Seed preparation
1.
Seed selection
2.
Seed treatment
II. Seedling production
1. Seedbed preparation
2. Sowing
3. Fertilization
4. Mulching
5. Hardening
III. Land preparation -

1. Seedbed preparation
2. Sowing
3. Fertilization
4. Mulching
5. Hardening
IV. Fertilization
1. organic
(chicken dung;
compost)
2. inorganic
(commercial;
NPK)
V. Irrigation
1. Drip irrigation
2. Rain fed
3. overhead
VI. Pests
1. Weeds
2. Insect pests
3. Diseases
4. Slugs and snails
Innumerate the name of
the pests
VII. Pest control
1. Herbicides (organic,
inorganic)
2. Insecticide (organic,
inorganic)
3. Fungicide (organic,
inorganic)
4. Natural enemies
5. Traps and baits
VIII. Harvesting
IX. Post harvest
Annex 2: Table 3: Weekly activities
Field activities -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
67
Care of seedlings
Transplanting
Fertilizer application
Irrigation
Weeding
Control of insect pests

and diseases
Harvesting
Annex 4: Table: 4. Crop lifecycle
Growth stages
Seedling
Vegetative
(true leaf development until
cupping)
Maturation
(early head formation until
head fill) harvesting
Parasitoid rearing unit

68
GLOSSARY
Absorption: The process by which a chemical product and/or micro-organisms passes through an organism’s natural
barriers
Active Ingredient:The biologically active portion of a pesticide present in a formulation.

Biological Control: Use of natural enemies from the animal or plant kingdom to control pests.
Biological Product: An organism, a substance or a preparation used to control pests, whose active ingredient consists
of living organisms or products of their metabolism.
Blanching: It means bending four or five of the large, outside leaves over the crown of a cole crop, then tucking the
leaf tip into the opposite side.
Brassicas: Common name for crops such as cabbage, rape, broccoli, kales, turnips e.t.c due to them being in the
brassicacae family. This family is also known as Cruciferae so some people call these crucifers.
Compost Manure: Plant material which has been piled up and left to rot, break down, release nutrients and kill
the pests and pathogens which may be present. This manure is then added to the soil to improve soil structure and
fertility.
Control: Successfully killing or reducing pests and pathogens to economically acceptable levels.
Defoliation: Causing leaves to fall off.
Distortion: Abnormal change of plant shape or appearance often caused by pests or diseases.
Dose: The amount or portion of an active ingredient or preparation applied per unit of treated
material.
Drench: Use of high volumes of dilute pesticide solution applied directly to the soil with sprayer or
bucket to control pests and diseases in the soil.
Drip irrigation: Type of irrigation where water is supplied directly to plants through small holes in
pipes laid on or in the soil next to crop rows.
Extension Service: Those entities in the country responsible for the transfer of information and
advice regarding agricultural practices with a view to improving production, handling, storage and
marketing of agricultural commodities.
Field hygiene: Taking care not to spread diseases and pests on to new crops by removing crop debris
from previous diseased crops.
Fungicide: An active ingredient or formulated product that kills moulds and fungus.
Furrow irrigation: Type of irrigation where water is channeled down furrows which run beside the
crop rows.
Gall: A swelling on plants (roots) caused by disease like club root on cabbage.
Growth Regulators: Product that affects physiological mechanisms, particularly cell growth and
differentiation, after penetrating and circulating inside the plant without destroying it. This action
usually triggers a change in the plant’s morphology and structure (the term “growth regulator” is
inaccurate because it implies regularity).
Herbicide: An active ingredient or formulated product that kills vegetation.
Honeydew: Sticky sugary substance excreted by pests which suck plant sap such as whitefly and
aphids.
Insecticide: An active ingredient or formulated product that kills insects.
69
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): An ecologically based pest control strategy that relies heavily
on resistant crops, hygiene and natural predators, parasitoids and tries to disrupt these factors as little
as possible by only using appropriate chemical pesticides when necessary.
Label: The written, printed or graphic matter on, or attached to, the pesticide or the
immediate container thereof and also to the outside container or wrapper of the retail package of the
pesticide.
Mulching: Covering the surface of the soil with material such as crop residues, compost or plastic
sheeting to reduce water loss, splashing and break some pest life cycles.
Nutrients: Chemicals in the soil made available either from breakdown of organic matter or added by
farmers as artificial fertilizer which plants use for growth.
Pathogen: Infectious micro-organism which can cause disease.
Pesticide: It is a synthetic (man-made), biological (containing a living organism) or botanical (made
from plant extract) product designed to kill pests (including diseases).
Post-Emergent Treatment: Treatment applied after the weed or crop has emerged from the soil. It
should be specified whether the treatment is postcrop emergent or post-weed emergent.
Post-Plant Treatment: Treatment applied immediately after planting.
Pre-Emergent Treatment: Treatment applied before the crop or weed has emerged from the soil.
Pre-Harvest Interval (PHI): The minimum number of days that must pass between the last
application of a pesticide and the start of harvesting.
Pre-Plant Treatment: Treatment applied before planting a crop.
Product: A pesticide in the form in which it is packaged and sold; it usually contains an active
ingredient plus adjuvant and must be diluted before use.
Residue: Any specified substances remaining on or in food, agricultural commodities, or animal feed.
The term includes any derivatives of a pesticide, such as conversion products, metabolites, reaction
products, and impurities considered to be of toxicological significance. The term “pesticide residue”
includes residues from unknown or unavoidable sources (e.g. environmental) as well as known uses
of the chemical.
Roguing: This is destroying plants which are affected/infested by pests or diseases in order to prevent
infestation/infection from spreading to other plants in the field.
Sap: Plant juices containing water and nutrients.
Solarization: Covering the soil with plastic (preferably clear) so that hot sunshine will heat the soil
and kill pests and diseases in it.
Susceptible: Capacity to be affected by something.
Spray: A solution or suspension, usually in water, to be applied by spraying, watering or dipping,
containing formulated products and sometimes adjutants.
Stunted: Plants which are small and poorly developed.
Systemic: A substance or preparation that acts after being absorbed and translocated from one organ
to another in the treated plant.
Tolerance: A plant’s capacity to withstand attack from pests, so that damage does not cause economic
injury.
70
Trap crop: Crop which is planted to attract a pest and is then destroyed together with the pest.
Treatment: The application or introduction of one or more physical, chemical or biological agents
to protect or improve agricultural production.
Variety: The particular type of crop being grown, with its own characteristics such as yield potential,
disease resistance and time to maturity.
weed: Any plant growing where it is not wanted.
71
Reference
A Delahaut A.C Newenhouse, A3684 Growing Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage and other Cole Crops
in Winconsin: A guide for Fresh Market growers.
Anon, 2003b, UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cole crops, University of California. Statewide
Pest Management Project, Division of Agriculture and National Resources. Publication 3307.
AVRDC.Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre. www.avdrc.org.tw
Barry Smith. The Farming Handbook ISBN 10 869140907
Boland J, Urban Agriculture: Growing Vegetables in Cities

Agromisa, CTA.ISBN 99077073256
CABI. (2005): Crop protection compendium.2005 Edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford,
UK. www.cabi.org
Decouteau, Dennis R. Vegetable crops. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Prentice –Hall2000.
Dennis Hill, Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control, Cambridge Press. ISBN
05212888 6 7
Kengap Horticulture Growers Handbook Agrochemicals ISBN 9966 7035 2 7
Koppert Ltd. Information on Biocontrol agents, www.koppert.nl
MoA (1986) Farm Management Handbook of Kenya
Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya April 1986
MoA (2000) Local and Export Vegetable Growing Manual
Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya March 2000.
Nieuwhof, M. Cole Crops: Botany, Cultivation and Utilization. London: L Hill, 1969.
OISAT: Organization for Non-chemical Pest Management in the Tropics. www.oisat.org
Peter M, et al. Biocontrol in IPM systems in Africa CABI Publishing. ISBN 08519963 9 6
PIP Tool Box www.coleacp.org/PIP
Rappapot, R. Controlling Crop Pests and Diseases. Macmillan Press. ISBN 0 333 05721 6 5
Stoll, G, Natural Crop Protection in the Tropics CTA. ISBN 3 823613170
Van Lidth de Jeuge, Identification of Crop Damage Caused by diseases, pests or mineral deficiencies.
Agromisa, CTA. ISBN 9077073
Varela A M, Icipe. A guide to IPM in Brassicas Production in Eastern and Southern Africa Seif A,
Lohr B, ISBN 92 90641487
Waayenberg, H.The Vegetable Garden in the Tropics.CTA. ISBN 9072746538
72
Vegetables constitute the fourth largest among the major food groups and agricultural commodities. Cabbages (Brassica oleraceae
Var. capitata) are one of the most widely grown vegetable crops in Kenya. The crop is mostly sold in the local markets with almost
negligible exports. These crops are highly nutritious and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals required for the wellbe-
ing of a population and can economically (income), are produced on small land parcels and take relatively short periods to mature.
High incidences of pest and diseases infestation, lack of high quality seeds as well as inadequate knowledge and skills on Good
Agricultural Practices are among the major constraints to low yields in cabbage production.
Pests and diseases are a major constraint in vegetable production in Kenya causing yield losses ranging from 50 -100%. Diamond-
back Moth, Plutella xylostella, is the most damaging insect pest of crucifer and difficult to control. The pest infestations are more
serious during the warm and dry weather periods. Farmers rely heavily on pesticide-based management strategies that are a health
hazard to the farmer and the environment. Furthermore some of the pests have developed resistance to organophosphates and
pyrethroids thus complicating their management. Progress has been made on testing and promoting the use environmentally safe
control methods such as biological control to reduce health risks to farmers, consumers and the environment. Cultural cultivation
practices like mulching, crop rotation; minimum tillage and field sanitation were used for management of some of the diseases.
During the project duration progress was made in developing a need based use of insecticides and use biological control methods
such as use of parasitoid, biological pesticides and good agronomic practices in order to increase production and lower production
costs these was achieved during the period.
KENYA AGRICULTURAL
For More Information Contact:
AND LIVESTOCK RESEARCH
Centre Director
ORGANIZATION- KALRO
KALRO-FCRI Muguga South
P. O. Box 57811-00200, Nairobi
P. O. Box 30148-00100, Nairobi
Tel: 020 4183301 20
Tel: 020 2519703
Fax: 020- 4183344
Web: www.kalro.org Email: narcmuguga@yahoo.com

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ISBN NO: 978-9966-30-030-0

DESIGN AND LAYOUT

PUBLISHED 2015/ 2016

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to RDA KOREA for

We are grateful to hardworking farmers and extension officers

The authors extend their appreciation to Dr. Teresio Riungu,

How to use this field guide

This manual is designed to let you grow cabbage as easy as pos-

CHAPTER 1 Forward and Executive Summary 2

Seedling production in seedbeds

Field preparation and planting

land preparation using tractor

PLANT POPULATION AND SPACING

 Head size, weight & hold-ability are important features.

BAGGING - / CHAIN-STORE - / PRE-PACK MARKET

 Quality, uniformly filled heads, firmness and colour are important.

Field Cabbage establishment

Crop Water requirement

Good weed management:

Mechanical and physical practices:

Plastic mulch soil solarization

Insects’ pests /Mites

Table 1: Cabbage growth stages and its pests

the worker ant (older sibling) for care and food.

Suggested control practices

Sticky board traps

Yellow basin trap

Soap Spray solutions

Active ingredient Examples

Restrictions for chemical applications on aphids

Suggested control practices

Active ingredient Examples

Cabbage root maggot

Suggested control practices

Cabbage root fly

Suggested control practices

Suggested control practices

Garlic oil spray

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)

Suggested control practices

Finger euphorbia plant extract

Basil plant extract

Bacillus thuringiensis (BT)/bran bait

Active ingredient Examples

Suggested control practices

Vitexnegundo leaf extract

Cotesia plutellae pupa adult wasp

Suggested control practices

Neem oil extract

Neem kernel extract

Red Spider mites on cabbages

Red Spider mites on cabbages

Suggested control practices

Basil leaf extract

Suggested control practices

Garlic oil spray

Madre de cacao &neem

Neem oil extract