# Apical bud manipulation and integrated nutrient management enhance yield and profitability of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) in Northwestern Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining proper bud management with moderate organic fertilizer use significantly boosts cabbage yield and profitability in northwestern Ethiopia.

## Contribution

The study introduces an optimized combination of apical bud retention and farmyard manure application for cabbage cultivation in the region.

## Key findings

- The two-bud + 5 t ha⁻¹ FYM treatment yielded the highest marketable and total cabbage yields.
- This treatment also produced the highest net return of 1917.59 USD ha⁻¹.
- Moderate FYM with two buds is recommended for sustainable cabbage production in similar agro-ecologies.

## Abstract

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) is an important vegetable crop in Ethiopia, yet its productivity remains low due to poor soil fertility and suboptimal agronomic practices. This study assessed how integrating nutrient management with apical bud manipulation influences cabbage growth, yield, and profitability in northwestern Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted during the 2021/2022 season at two locations in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, using a randomized complete block design in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement with three bud levels (one, two, and three) and four farmyard manure (FYM) rates (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t ha− 1). Growth, yield, and quality traits were recorded and statistically analyzed. Significant interactions occurred between bud retention and FYM rates for all traits. The two-bud + 5 t ha− 1 FYM treatment produced the highest marketable yield (41.8 t ha− 1), total yield (43.1 t ha− 1), and medium head size (31.8 t ha− 1). Total yields at 2.5 and 7.5 t ha− 1 FYM were consistently lower across bud levels, with two buds yielding moderately at both rates, whereas one- and three-bud treatments resulted in further reductions reinforcing the superiority of the two-bud + 5 t ha− 1 FYM combination. This treatment also generated the highest net return (1917.59 USD ha− 1). Integrating moderate organic nutrient inputs with proper bud management improves cabbage yield and profitability. The application of 5 t ha⁻¹ FYM with two-bud retention is recommended for sustainable cabbage production in northwestern Ethiopia and comparable agro-ecologies.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-41149-3.