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S R A - L G A R E C

U P D A T E S Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City

Negros Occidental, Philippines Phone/Fax (034) 735-0132 www.sra-lgarec.net e-mail: lgarec@yahoo.com

Vol. 6 No. 7 O

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CABBAGE: A Viable Intercrop for Sugarcane

Theskyrocketing prices ofinputs insugarcanefarmingcaused an

alarmamongsugarcanegrowers. As a consequence of this condition coupled with amediocre production and low sugar price, more andmore farmers contemplate on diversifying theirsugarcane farms. However, there are still others whofeel that changing sugarcane with other crops is a bitterpill to swallow. This dilemma can be remedied throughthe adoption of recommended technologies, one ofwhich is intercropping.

Intercropping requires less input and productioncan be realized earlier. Since the intercrop can beharvested and marketed in a short period of time,sugarcane farmers can augment their income at thetime when the sugarcane requires high productioninput.

Several short-term crops, such as peanut,mungbean and soybean were already tried as intercropand were proven to be profitable. Lately, the SugarRegulatory Administration at La Granja, in cooperationwith Mr. Arturo Uychiat of Rachel Farms, testedcabbage and found the vegetable as a viable intercropfor sugarcane

Cabbage, a cole crop, is grown mainly for itshead consisting of many folded leaves forming a balland closely spaced along a short stem. Prepared eitherfresh or cooked, cabbage is a nutritious veggie thatserves as source of vitamins and minerals. The edibleportion of the plant is low in calories and high in fiberfor diet-conscious individuals.

Based on records, income from cabbage asmonocrop may vary from P306,000 to P503,000 perhectare, depending on the variety. Cabbage matures

from 60-73 days and head size ranges from 12-18 cmin diameter.1

Cabbage should be grown in a well-fertilized soilwith sufficient water supply. Although cabbage growsbest in areas with a cool weather, new varieties like Apo Verde can thrive well in the lowland where theclimate is warm.

As an intercrop, the following practices arerecommended for cabbage production:??pre-germinate in sterilized soil prior to transplanting

to ensure high survival rate??plant simultaneously with sugarcane??spacing is 0.60m between hills and 1.00m between

rows??

cultivate lightly since the roots grow near the soilsurface??fertilize with complete inorganic fertilizer and

supplement with organic materials??implement regular control measure against its

common pest- the diamond-back moth. Sprayearly in the morning and concentrate on the leafundersurface. KARATE? or similar insecticides maybe used.

??harvest 70 days after transplanting

by: Rolando D. Dosayla - Supervising Research Spec.

1Source: Mapa, S. 2002. Agriculture 6(9):6-7.