The Assessment of the Use of Eco-Friendly Nets to Ensure Sustainable Cabbage Seedling Production in Africa

Abstract

High seed cost accompanied by poor germination and seedling performance renders cabbage nursery and field production enterprises unsustainable to many small-scale growers in tropical and sub-tropical countries. In most nurseries, adverse ecological conditions and pest damage are among the major factors responsible for poor seedling performance. The objective of this study was to test the potential use of eco-friendly net (EFN) covers as a low cost technology for sustainable cabbage seedling production. The study was a two-season experiment conducted using a randomized complete block design with five replications and two treatments. Treatments were: the standard open field transplant production (control) and transplant production under 0.4 mm mesh polyethylene net covering. EFN covering increased both temperature and relative humidity, enhanced seedling growth and reduced insect pest damage. Seed germination and seedling emergence were under the net covering earlier. Higher seed germination and seedling survival were recorded under the EFN treatment, indicating a potential for reducing the seed requirement per unit area of cabbage production. Seedlings grown under the nets had higher stomatal conductance and leaf chlorophyll content; furthermore, they grew taller, with more leaves within a shorter period of time compared to the control seedlings. The use of EFN in cabbage nurseries offers a sustainable technology for enhancing seedling performance by reducing pest infestation, thereby lowering production cost and improving the grower’s income

Potential of Controlling Common Bean Insect Pests (Bean Stem Maggot (<i>Ophiomyia phaseoli</i>), Ootheca (<i>Ootheca bennigseni</i>) and Aphids (<i>Aphis fabae</i>)) Using Agronomic, Biological and Botanical Practices in Field

“…Insect pest pressure and modified microclimate have leaded to improve tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.)] with net covering crops [61], cabbage [Brassica oleracea (L.)] and var. capitata (L.)] [62]. Under tropical field conditions, agronet also have showed the potential in modifying microclimate conditions together with improving tomato yields and quality [63].…”

Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Cabbage with Minimized Pesticide Residues in Southern Benin

“…In tropical Benin both fine mesh nets (0.4 mm) and larger mesh (0.9 mm) are used to protect cabbage from major lepidopteran pests (Plutella xylostella, Hellula undalis, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera littoralis) and aphids (Lipaphis erysimi). EFNs are usually removed during daylight hours, when pests specializing in cabbage are inactive, to enable regulation of aphids populations by their natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) and to prevent overheating and excessive shade [11,52,53,55,56]. While nets should be removed every day, most farmers remove them just three times a week to minimize labor costs [56].…”

Enhancing Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae Var capitata) Yields and Quality Through Microclimate Modification and Physiological Improvement Using Agronet Covers

“…Net covers have also been documented to have a potential for providing an amicable solution to sustainable and affordable cabbage transplant and/or crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (Muleke et al, 2013). This study aimed at establishing the effects of using agronet covers on the immediate microclimate of a cabbage crop and how this affects the physiological performance and yield of the crop.…”