Abstract
Studies were made on the effect of mulching with four different mulch materials (bagasse, bay leaves, coffee husks and grass), and two irrigation levels (irrigating at 3 and 7 day intervals), on the temperature, moisture and NPK content of the soil and on the growth and yield of cabbage. Mulching reduced the day time soil temperature and increased soil moisture content; coffee husks significantly increased the K content of the soil and cabbage plants. These factors, except soil K, seem to have resulted in the very significant effect of mulching, especially with coffee husks, on cabbage growth and yield. Although both levels of irrigation significantly increased cabbage head yields, only the higher level of irrigation significantly increased whole plant yields. The results indicated that cabbage requires a soil moisture content of at least 70% available water in the top 12 cm for good yield, and that this can be achieved with less than half the amount of water with mulching than without mulching.