Comparative Study on Cultivation of Cabbage Under Low Tunnel and Open Field Conditions in Cold Arid Ladakh Region

The low tunnel technology increased seed germination from 75.3 to 91.0 per cent and seedling survival on transplanting from 76.3 to 96.6 per cent. Time taken for production of marketable seedling as well as attaining marketable cabbage heads reduced from 53 to 45.6 days and 85.3 to 75.3 days, respectively. Low tunnel cultivation advanced the growing of crop by around two months. The total cabbage yield was significantly higher under low tunnels as compared to open field conditions. Higher net returns per unit area were realized under low tunnel cultivation of cabbage than open cultivation due to early maturity, early market entry of produce and evading market glut.