Effect of plant spacing and nitrogenous fertiliser on the yield and plant conformation of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. pekinensis)

Abstract

The effects of plant spacing and nitrogenous (N) fertiliser on the yield and plant conformation of Chinese cabbage were investigated for the michihili cultivar, Early Jade Pagoda, at Manjimup, Western Australia. The soil type was a sandy loam (7% gravel, pH 5.9) over clay at 60 cm. The experimental design included 4 plant spacings (25 by 25 cm, 30 by 30 cm, 35 by 35 cm, 40 by 40 em), and 6 rates of N fertiliser (0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg N/ha). The highest marketable yields, 126.6 and 123.6 tha, were produced at the closest spacing, 25 by 25 cm, with N fertiliser rates of 200 and 300 kg/ha, respectively. Marketable yield for this spacing increased as N rate increased from 0 to 200 kg/ha, remained constant from 200 to 300 kg/ha and fell when the N rate was increased to 400 kg/ha. Soft rot damage was severe at the highest rate of N fertiliser and contributed to the reduced yield. The yield potential of Chinese cabbage was higher at close spacings than at the wider spacings. Plant height was not affected by any treatment, but plant width increased at the higher N fertiliser rates.