Kale is a member of the Brassica family, commonly known as Sukumawiki in Kenya. It is a popular vegetable with the highest demand and is widely consumed in most Kenyan homes. Kale is rich in vitamins and essential minerals. Kale can be eaten alone or combined with other vegetable varieties or even meat. However, with the help of the right fertilizer, farmers can meet the overwhelming market demand, meet their targets, and make profits.
The best fertilizer for kale in Kenya includes:
1. DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate)
DAP is a fertilizer made of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are part of the 18 essential nutrients and the primary macronutrients plants need, and it works best when planting kale.
4. Reasons Why DAP is the Best Fertilizer for Kale in Kenya
1. DAP has ammonia, an excellent nitrogen source that is gradually converted by soil bacteria to regulate the soil pH.
2. DAP is a more concentrated phosphate-based fertilizer that helps the younger kale seedlings during the early stages.
3. The sulphur contained in DAP contributes to the intake of nitrogen and phosphorous in kales
4. DAP has low sulphur which enhances development and stimulates the kale roots, especially in the early stages, and is recommended as a starter dose for kale.
2. TSP (Triple Super Phosphate) Fertilizer
Triple superphosphate is a soluble fertilizer that can be directly applied to the soil as a single nutrient and hence serves as a good source of phosphorous for the kale, which is more required than the nitrogen nutrients for the following reasons:
1. TSP (triple superphosphate) contains 15 percent calcium, providing the kale with additional plant nutrients.
3. TSP has over 90% of total phosphorous and is highly soluble in water; hence, it becomes rapidly available for the kale’s uptake of nutrients.
3.TSP doesn’t have nitrogen, which is a part of chlorophyll that helps the process of photosynthesis work.
4. TSP fertilizers are preferred as starter fertilizers for kale cultivated in soils with low pH.
5. TSP is recommended for kale grown in soils that don’t have much or any phosphorus.
3. Manure Fertilizer
Manure is an organic fertilizer mainly made of animal feces, plant materials, and compost. It is the best and most eco-friendly way to keep the soil fertile, and it is very good for kale.
5 Reasons Why Manure is the Best Fertilizer for Kales in Kenya
1. Manure protects the soil from erosion by wind or surface run-off
2. Manure stay long in the soil, thereby releasing slowly nutrient to the crops hence improving the health and the quality of the kales
3. The organic matter helps in the maintenance of the soil structure
4. Manure helps improve the soil’s water retention capacity, which benefits the kale, especially in low rainfall seasons.
5. The humus in the manures provides the kale with mulch, thus reducing the rate of evapotranspiration in the kale during the dry seasons.
4. NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium) Fertilizer
NPK is a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that kale needs to grow well and produce lots of leaves.
5 Reasons why NPK is the Best Fertilizer for Kales in Kenya
1. NPK has Potassium that Promotes the Quality of Kale
NPK has potassium that helps in the growth and development associated with quality, such as the size, shape, colour, and taste of the kale leaves.
2. NPK Fertilizer has a compound that allows storage and energy use in plants
The nitrogen in the NPK fertilizer is a significant component of amino acids, the basis of proteins, and it also aids in the compound that allows the use and storage of energy.
3. NPK Fertilizer has Phosphorous that is Essential in Kales Plant
NPK fertilizer has phosphorous, which encourages the growth of the kale roots, promotes blooming, and is essential to the DNA of the kale plant.
4. NPK Fertilizer Carry Out Various Plant Processes
NPK fertilizer has nitrogen, a key component in carrying out various plant processes by allowing chlorophyll to carry out photosynthesis and increase the green color matter in kale leaves.
5. NPK Fertilizer contributes to healthy and quality kale leaves.
Phosphorus in NPK is important for kale health and growth because it contributes to structural strength and crop quality.
Fertilizer Ratio for Kales
During planting, DAP fertilizer, double superphosphate (DSP) fertilizer, triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizer, or well-rotten manure of 1.5 tons can be blended into fertilizers. Kales specifically need fertilizer in the ratio 10-10-10, as that will give your crop an evenly spread boost.
To replenish the soil’s nutrient status, apply the fertilizer in two split applications of CAN during topdressing. The first split is applied at 40 kg per acre (20 g CAN per plant) when the plant is 20 cm tall. The second split application is used at a rate of 80 kg per acre 3 weeks later; the placement method is recommended as it is more effective and economical.
Dos and Don’ts When Applying Fertilizer on Kales
When it comes to vegetables, is the easiest to grow and has several economic benefits for you as a farmer. Still, you need to take action on what to do and avoid, as in the list below:
1. Avoid Wet Manure
Avoid using wet manure since it might contain harmful bacteria that may infect the kale or cause rotting of the stems and roots of the kale.
2. Ensure Manure is Free of Pests and Diseases
Inspect your manure well before using it since it is prone to diseases and cutworms that are very disastrous to kale plants.
3. When Using Manure, Apply Early Before Planting
In hot seasons, use dry-well rotten manure to help the soil retain moisture to sustain the kale, which also helps to incorporate the nutrients in the ground and act on the plant on time.
4. Ensure Soil is Well Drained
Kale grows well in a wide range of soils in Kenya. So, you need to make sure the farm is set up well so that the kale roots can grow in easily while they are growing.
5. Make sure they get the right fertilizer when they are planted and when they are topped off. This will help them grow better and have better leaves.
Top Dressing Fertilizer for Kales
CAN is the best fertilizer for top-dressing the kale since it contains fast-acting nitrate nitrogen and longer-lasting ammonium nitrogen that enhance the kale’s quality and appearance and increase the number of leaves per plant.
