Effects of garden soil and organic substrates ratio on growth of cabbage plug transplant

The study aimed to determine the effect of garden soil and organic substrates ratio on the growth of cabbage plug transplants, and to determine the best ratio of garden soil and organic substrate for cabbage plug transplant production. The study was arranged in a simple completely randomized design with three replications. There were three set-ups in the study: Set-up a involved the use of garden soil (GS) and rice straw compost (RSC); Set-up B involved the use of GS and carbonized rice hull (CRH); and Set-up C involved the use of GS and biogas Sludge (BS). The use of different proportion of GS and different organic substrates affected the growth performance of cabbage plug transplants. Seedling height was significantly improved using 100 percent RSC or 100 percent BS compared to 100 percent GS. Likewise, improved seedling stature was observed using 50 percent GS: 50 percent RSC, 25 percent GS: 75 percent RSC, 75 percent GC: 25 percent CRH, 25 percent GS: 75 percent CRH; and 25 percent GS: 75 percent BS. Longer internodes were noted in 100 RSC, 100 percent BS, 25 percent GS: 75 percent BS, 50 percent GS:50 percent RSC and 25 percent GS:75 percent RSC. The shortest was observed in 75 percent GS: 25 percent BS and 100 percent GS. Garden soil: carbonized rice hull ratios had no effect on internode length. Stem diameter was significantly larger in 100 percent BS compared to other GS:BS ratios. Also, large stems were observed in 75 percent GS: 25 percent CRH. Different proportions of GS and RSC had no significant effect on number of leaves. Seedlings raised in 75 GS: 25 percent CRH had comparable number of leaves with those in 50 percent GS: 50 percent CRH and 25 percent GS: 75 percent CRH. One hundred percent BS gave a significantly higher number of leaves compared to 100 percent GS. One-hundred percent BS significantly enhanced shoot fresh weight. Likewise, 75 percent GS: 25 percent CRH and 50 percent -100 percent RSC in the mixture improved seedling shoot fresh weight. Oven-dry weight of shoot was high in 100 percent BS and 75 percent GS: 25 percent CRH. Lowest mean shoot dry weights were observed in 100 percent GS: 5 percent CRH. Mean root dry weights were high in 100 percent GS and in 75 percent GS mixed with either of the three organic substrates. Shoot:root ratio was improved with 50 percent-100 percent RSC in the mixture; 50 percent-100 percent BS in the mixture and with 25 percent GS: 75 percent CRH. Low shoot:root ratio was noted in 100 percent GS. The least shoot dry matter content was obtained in 100 percent RSC and 100 percent BS while higher values were recorded in 100 percent GS: 25 percent RSC, 75 percent GS: 25 percent BS, and 25 percent GS: 75 percent RSC