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

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.