Growth and Development Response of Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala L.) Seedlings to Different Commercial Growing Media

Otsoseng Oagile

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

Onica Ramalekane

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

Witness Mojeremane

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

Christinah Matsuane

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

Gabatshele M. Legwaila

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

Thembinkosi Mathowa *

Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

The study was carried out at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) formerly Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) under an 80% net shade house to evaluate the response of kale (Brassica oleracea var Acephala) to different commercial growing media comprising of cocopeat, hygromix and germination mix. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment (medium) replicated four times. Growth parameters measured were: seedling emergence, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area and biomass (both fresh and dry masses). Plant height, leaf area, number of leaves and biomass (fresh and dry) from plants grown on hygromix and germination mix were significantly (P < .01) higher than those grown on cocopeat. The same trend was observed in relation to seedling emergence although hygromix performed better than the other growing media. The observations reported in this study suggest that the use of hygromix and germination mix enhanced production of kale seedlings compared to cocopeat with hygromix being the best.

 

Keywords: Brassicaceae, Brassica oleracea var Acephala L., growing media, kale seedling growth


How to Cite

Oagile, Otsoseng, Onica Ramalekane, Witness Mojeremane, Christinah Matsuane, Gabatshele M. Legwaila, and Thembinkosi Mathowa. 2016. “Growth and Development Response of Kale (Brassica Oleracea Var. Acephala L.) Seedlings to Different Commercial Growing Media”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 12 (4):1-7. https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2016/28556.