High yielding vegetable varieties

A smart farmer only sows high yielding varieties with disease resistance to minimize spraying and with
tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought

Vegetable remains an important source of income generation and constitutes a key source of
micronutrients. The Victoria vegetable hybrids assure farmers of improved nutrition, food and income
security because of their high yields and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Amaranthus
Variety White Elma

An indigenous vegetable with fast vegetative growth, ovate leaves maturing in 2-3 weeks. Seed rate of
2kgs per hectare is recommended.

Planting can be done by broadcasting or drilling between rows with spacing at 20 cm 30 cm apart.

CABBAGE
Hybrids: Ramgo F1, New star cross F1, King of York Cross F1, Indica F1

OPV: Copenhagen market, Drumhead

Copenhagen market is a widely adapted hardy variety producing flattish solid heads with a mean mass
of 1.5 1kgs. Days of maturity 80-90 days after transplant.

Drumhead is popular under cool growing conditions producing flattish head with a mean mass of 1.5-
2kgs. Days to maturity after transplant 110-120 days

King of York is resistant to heat and shows vigorous growing in hotter areas. Very early maturing and
can be harvested 55-58 days after transplant. Weighs 2-2.5kgs

New star cross is suitable for growing all seasons Large flat round head tightly compressed and ready
for market in 80 days after transplant. It weighs 1.5-2kgs

Indica Ball type cabbage, medium maturity 60-70 days, weighs 1.3-1.5kgs

Planting

Spacing 35cmx60cm (between rows) and plant depth of 20cm

Management

Soil preparation includes deep digging, mixing with composite or stable manure followed by fine tillage.
Use NPK fertilizer for good vegetable growth. The crop should be kept free of weeds especially in the
first two months. Mulching with straw is beneficial to growth. A regular supply of water is also required.
CARROT
Chike variety has an excellent deep orange and small core in combination with hgh yield. It produces
roots with smooth exteriors and it performs very well in wet condition.

Seed rate: 700 1250 grammes per hectare direct sowing

Planting: spacing 8cmx10cm (between rows) and plant depth 20mm. Seeds are sown often mixed with
sand. Planting on raised beds i.e. ridges is very important. Seedlings should be earthed up when roots
start swelling to keep them cool and prevent tip greening. In hot weather, light overhead shade is
beneficial. Irrigation during dry spells is very important

Fertilizer Requirement: Carrot requires high doses of potassium. Application of N: 75-150kg/ha, P: 50-
100kg/ha, K: 50-200kg/ha is adequate i.e. 250 NPK per ha (20:10:10). NB. Fresh organic matter can be
detrimental to a carrot crop

Days to maturity: 100 110 days

Management: Carrots should be grown in tropical regions at altitudes above 1200mm. Soils should be
well drained, fertile and of a sandy texture. Heavy clays may induce malformed to twisted roots and
harvesting will be difficult. Crop rotation is essential to reduce soil borne diseases and pests.

Mulching after sowing is recommended.

Diseases and pests control: Leaf blights in carrots are controlled by spraying with fungicides. Root knot
nematode control is by crop rotation and seedbed sterilization (Solarization, hot water application and
use of Dusban)

CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI

Cauliflower Snowball

Broccoli Sakura F1

Days to maturity from transplant: 80 85 days

Seed rate: 200 400 gr per hectare for transplant and 500 1500 gr/ha direct sowing

Planting: Spacing 45cm x 70cm (between rows)

Management: Transplanting to the field should be done 30-40 days after sowing in the nursery bed.
Two to three of the outer leaves should be broken over the top of the head to shade it from the sun.
Use NPK fertilizer before planting, another 2 or 3 N fertilizer dressing are applied later to stimulate good
head formation. Use NPK: N:220kg/ha, P: 25 40kh/ha, K: 200-300kg/ha. Apply dolomite limestone,
borax and ammonium molybdate to prevent physiological disorders like browning of heads. A regular
water supply is required throughout the growing season but the mature plant stage and harvesting
should be planned as much as possible outside the rainy season. Young crop be kept free of weeds,
Mulching is beneficial to growth.

Disease control: Diseases are similar to those of cabbages in the tropics and controlled in the same way.

CUCUMBER
Hybrid: Kanene

OPV: Ashley

Kanene F1 is a very early maturing fresh market hybrid predominantly female flowering and produces
medium long fruits 14 16 cm long and 4 5 cm in diameter.

Ashley is a fresh market variety wodely adapted with good resistance to Downy mildew. Fruit size of 19
cm x 6 cm.

Days to maturity: 60 70 Ashley, 35 40 Kanene

Seed rate: 1000gr of seed/ha for transplant and 2000gr for direct sowing

Plant spacing: 40cm x 130cm (between rows)

Management: Cucumber requires a warm climate with optimum temperature of 30 o C. Cucumber needs
fair amount of water but it cant stand water logging. Soil should be fertile, well drained. Prepare a fine
bed and raise the bed on which to plant to improve drainage. During soil preparation, incorporation of
organic manure is required.

Fertilizer requirement: 700kg/ha of NPK mixture, followed by N fertilizer in form of Urea, every 2-3
weeks

Resistance: Kanene is resistant to downy mildew

Diseases and Pests control: Use of disease resistant seed can prevent early disease infection.

EGGPLANT
AFRICAN EGGPLANT: Tessa Oval Egg, Cleo

Tessa Oval bears big cream fruits and yields about 66 tonnes per hectare

Cleo bears small fruits suitable for export market. It yields up to 42 tonnes per hectare. All varieities are
tolerant to leaf curl and blight. Days to maturity from transplanting: 80 days
Seed rate: 300g/ha

Spacing: 75cm x 50cm

European Eggplant

Hybrids: Janak, Runako, African Splendor

OPVs: Black beauty, Early Long purple

Janak F1 is a home garden fresh market hybrid with dark purple fruit. An early maturing prolific variety
producing fruits weighing up to 500gms and plant is tolerant to bacterial wilt. Days to maturity is 70 days
after transplant

Runako F1 is a hybrid with wide adaptability. It has an erect plant habit with strong tolerance to
bacterial wilt and long harvest period. Fruits are purple cylindrical long weighing 140 180 gr. Days to
maturity is 60 - 75 days after transplant

Black beauty is a fresh market variety. Tall bush plants produce oval deep globe fruit with a rich dark
purple color and weighing 60 100g. Days to maturity is 80 90 days after transplant

Seed rate: 280g 300gr/ha for transplanting and 750 1000g direct sowing

Planting: Spacing 50cm x 75 (between rows)

Management: Soils should be well prepared. A first watering at the base of each plant is necessary and
afterwards the frequency of irrigation depends on the soil type and season.

Weeding is necessary, particularly in a young crop. Soil which is too wet increase disease incidence. For
phytosanitary reasons, planting eggplant after other solanaceous plants e.g. tomatoes and pepper
should be avoided.

Eggplant is a heavy feeder and for higher yields, fertilizers and manure requirements are large. Fertilizer
recommendations for intensive production may include; 40tonnes of farmyard manure per hectare,
which should be applied before transplanting. N.P.K; N-50-300kg/ha, P-25-100kg/ha, K-30-200kg/ha.
Nitrogen content of oil should not be excessive to avoid the young plants developing excessive foliage to
the detriment fruit production.

KALE
OPVs: Dara, Thousand headed

Dara is a popular kale variety with vigorous growth prodcuging long large stems and pointed leaves. Due
to its bolting tolerance, high yields of good quality can be obtained. It has very little breakage of leaves
during transport. Days to maturity:40 days from transplant.
Thousand headed: A very strong upright plant with round blue-grey leaves. When lower, leaves
harvested regularly can continue producing as stem elongates. Days to maturity: 60 days from
transplant.

Seed rate: 300g/ha for planting and 600-1000g direct sowing

Planting: 45cm x 65 cm (between rows)

Management: Soil preparation includes deep ploughing with incorporation of 40 tons of organic matter.
Before planting, apply fertilizer NPK, (15:15:15) at a rate of 500kg/ha, followed by top dressing with
150kg/ha of urea for good vegetable growth at four weeks. Planting on ridges during the wet season to
improve drainage is recommended. The crop should be kept weed free especially in the first month.

LEEK
Italian Giant is a vigorous growing plant with thick white stem reaching a height of 70 80 cm. Days to
maturity: 150 days

Seed rate: 2kg/ha on seed bed and 4kg/ha direct sowing

Planting: spacing 10cm x 30cm (between rows)

LETTUCE
Great lakes: This produces bright glossy green heads

Seed rate: 500g/ha and 1500 3000gr direct sowing

Planting: Spacing 25cm x 40cm (between rows)

Management: Seeds are sown in a shaded seedbed; the seedlings pricked out 2-3 weeks after
emergence

OKRA
OPVs: Clemson spineless, Pusa Sawani, Anamika, Spear Clemson

Spear Clemson is a remarkable variety totally resistant to the yellow Veinal Mosaic virus. A prolific
yielder producing an average of 18.6 pods per plant. Fruit length of 11.4cm and fruit width of 1.9cm

Clemson Spineless: This variety has open foliage. A leading variety for the fresh market with an average
pod yield of 10 pods per plant and fruit length of 10cm

Days to maturity: 55 days

Seed rate: 5kg/ha

Plant spacing: 45 - 60cm x 60-90cm (Between rows)

Management: Okra is very susceptible to damage by nematodes and Okra farmers should follow a
rotation using crops such as grasses and small grains which prevent a buildup of nematode populations.
Okra should not follow vine crops such as sweet potatoes. A well drained fertile soil is best for Okra
production. Select soil with good water holding capacity.

Diseases: Nematodes can cause serious losses in Okra. Root-Knot nematodes can be controlled by the
use of approved nematicides. Okra requires a lot of nutrients to perform well. Use NPK 15:15:25 prior tp
sowing. Top dress with urea during the vegetable phase at a rate of 100kg/ha one month after planting.
Okra is sown directly. A good seed soil contact is essential for an even crop establishment. Mulching
with dry grass induces the cool microclimate that is required during the early stages.

Fertilizer recommendation: NPK N 50-60kg/ha, P 10 - 15kg/ha, K-20-30kg/ha.

ONION
OPVs: Yali, Red creole, Bombay Red

Yali produces bulbs of medium size with a good red purple colour. Its main asset is its excellent storage
ability of up to 4 months. Maturity in case of direct sowing is 100 days and transplanting 130 days. Yali
doesnt bolt and is resistant to botrytis and pink root (a soil borne disease)

Red Creole: It is a bright red high yielding variety with hard pungent flesh.

Disease control: Pink root can be controlled by a 5 year rotation without Alliums species.

Plant spacing: 5-8cm x 10cm between rows

Seed rate: 4kg/ha and for direct sowing 7kgs.

Management: Onions can grow on any well drained fertile soil. Adequate calcium nutrition is essential
for good vegetative development and disease tolerance.

Propagation and planting: Onions can be directly sown or sown in nurseries. About 40-50 days after
sowing, the young plants as thick as a pencil are transplanted at densities of 16-36 plants/m2.
Fertilization should also contain enough sulphates. All the required P and K and half of N should be
planted at planting time. Side dressing of the remaining half of N in form of Urea should be done as
bulbing begins i.e. 150kg per ha.

SWEET PAPER
Hybrid Ganga, OPV California wonder

A widely adapted variety for fresh market with continuous fruit se, vigorous plants 70-75cm high, fruit
mass 110gr. It is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus and stip.
Seed rate: 250g of seed/ha and 350gr direct sowing

Planting: spacing 50cm x 80 cm between rows

Days to maturity: 70 75 after transplanting

Management: Seed is sown in nursery beds first. Seedbeds should be protected against rain and direct
sun. Transplants are planted 30-40 days after sowing. Apply 10 20 tons/ha of organic fertilizer e.g.
manure. Use NPK at rates of N: 130kg/ha, P: 80kgs/ha, K: 110kg/ha. Split into a basal dressing plus some
side dressing at intervals of 3-4 weeks.

PUMPKINS
Arjuna F1 is a hybrid. Fruit weighs about 3.5 kg and has a shelf life of 4-6 weeks. Its flesh is firm, yellow
in colour and tastes excellent. Plants are very vigorous and the variety has an intermediate resistance to
downy and powdery mildew.

Days to maturity: 120 130

Seed rate: 3-4 kg/ha

Plant spacing: 2m x 2m

Management: Pumpkins are not very demanding with respect to soil. They can be cultivated on almost
any well drained soil. Seeds should be sown on raised beds. The crop responds well to farm manure.
Fertilizer application: Use NPK; N: 50-100kg/ha, P: 20-40kg/ha, K: 40-80kg/ha. Some of the minerals can
be applied.

Disease control: Control alternaria leaf spot, gummy stem blight by use of healthy seed, removing
debris, crop rotation and use of protective fungicides.

SWISS CHARD
Fordhook Giant

Large, dark green crinkled leaves with broad glossy white ribs. Excellent flavor.

Days to maturity: 55 days

Seed rate: 10kg/ha direct sowing

Plant spacing: 20 x 60 cm between rows

Swiss chard is susceptible to nematodes, which can be controlled by crop rotation.

TOMATO
OPVs: Heinz 1370, Moneymaker, Roma, Tnaya, Tengeru 97, Red Wonder, Red Desire.

Red wonder, Red desire are indeterminate varieties suitable for industrial use. These varieties are
resistant to early and late blight, with a long shelf life of 2-3 weeks at room temperature.

Days to maturity from transplant: 90 days

Spacing: 40 cm x 80 cm

Hybrids: Makis, Tejas, Opal, Victoria F1, Josefina

Makis F1 is a determinate variety ideal for areas where bacterial wilt pressure is high. It has an excellent
fruit set in warm and humid conditions.

Opal F1 is moderately vigorous indeterminate tomato variety suitable for areas with bacterial wilt and
performs very well in both rainy and dry areas.

Tejas F1 a determine hybrid with a vigorous and large plant type adapting well to a wide range of
growing conditions. Fruit has good colour and can be used for both fresh market processing.

Days to maturity: 90 cm x 45 cm

Josefina F1 is an indeterminate cherry tomato variety suitable for fresh market. It performs well both in
the dry and wet season and is tolerant to bacterial wilt.

Days to maturity from transplant: 90 days

Spacing: 40 x 80 cm

Management: Tomatoes can be directly sown or transplanted in the field. Raising young transplants in
the nursery enables growers to obtain uniform seedlings and to check ealr diseases and pests. Young
seedlings require ample water to sustain good healthy growth. Seedlings are ready for transplanting
when 3-4 weeks old. They should be thoroughly watered 12-14 hours before they are lifted out of the
seed bed to avoid excessive damage to roots. Transplanting should be done in the afternoon.

Fertilizer for tomato should be fairly rich in phosphorous. Excess nitrogen is associated with excessive
vegetative growth, fruit puffines and blossom end rot disease. Use NPK, N: 80-180kg/ha, P: 80-
200kg/ha, K: 80-200kg/ha or 40 tons of farm yard manure per ha. All the required P, half N and half K
should be applied at planting time. The remaining half of the required N and K should be side-dressed a
month after transplanting.

Control weeds by applying a pre-emergence herbicide i.e. Napropamide and Butralin before
transplanting supplemented by manual weeding and mulching the beds with straw.
Crop rotation with non-solanaceous crops is recommended to reduce soil borne diseases and pests.
Constancy of water supply plays a major role in attaining uniform maturity and reducing the incidence of
blossom-end rot, a physiological disorder resulting from irregular water supply and the resulting calcium
deficiency in the fruit during its enlargement.

Note that for all indeterminate varieties, stakes of about 2m length should be used to prevent logging of
plants and minimize occurrences of soil borne diseases. The plant should be staked when it is fully
established after transplanting.

Disease and Pest control: Use tolerant cultivars to reduce bacterial wilt, e.g. Makis and Tejas, from
Victoria seeds Limited. Long term crop rotation e.g. with cereals. Control bacterial spot disease by using
copper fungicides. Fungicides like Diathane M45, Milraz remain the only means to control early blight
and late blight. Opal F1 cultivar is resistant to bacterial wilt and late blight. Root Knot nematodes invade
tomato roots and cause galling. A rotation with non-hosts like amaranths, grasses and increasing the
organic matter content of the soil will control the nematodes.

WATERMELON
Crimson sweet, Sugar baby

Days to maturity: 65 90

Seed rate: 2kg/ha for direct sowing only

Plant spacing: 50 x 175cm between rows.

Watermelon is directly seeded. A wide crop rotation of up to 4 years is essential to avoid damage by soil
borne diseases and pests. The movement of the crop should be reduced to prevent plant damage. Apply
manure at a rate of 40 tons per acre. Stems are trimmed to prevent excessively dense vegetative
growth.

Pests and disease control: Prevent Fusarium wilt by wide crop rotation of up to 6 years, ensuring good
drainage and using tolerant varieities. Dithiocarbamates and organic fungicides can control anthracnose.
Gummy stem blight can be controlled with fungicides. Insects/pests like thrips, aphids, fruit fly,
cucumber beetle, red pumpkin beetle can be controlled by spraying with insecticides e.g. Ambush and
Thionex.