The use of bovine manure and earthworm compost were compared in cabbage production, hybrid Matsukaze, at the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil, from December 1997 to March, 1998. The treatments consisted of 20; 30; 40; 50 and 60 t/ha of bovine manure and 10; 15; 20; 25 and 30 t/ha of earthworm compost and a treatment without organic matter (control). The experimental design was of randomized blocks, with eleven treatments arranged in a factorial scheme (5 x 2) + 1, with four replications. The longitudinal and transversal diameters, format index and head compactness, average weight and total production of heads were evaluated. The level of 46.0 t/ha of bovine manure and 29.0 t/ha of earthworm compost resulted in larger longitudinal diameters of cabbage heads (13 and 12 cm, respectively). The level of 47.0 t/ha of bovine manure and 20.0 t/ha of earthworm compost provided heads with larger transversal diameters (13 and 11 cm). All bovine manure levels induced the formation of more uniform and compact heads, while the use of 20 t/ha of earthworm compost resulted in not uniform heads with low commercial value. The level of 41.0 t/ha of bovine manure promoted maximum average head weight (900 g) and yield (47.0 t/ha), while the use of 27.0 t/ha of earthworm compost was responsible for the maximum average head weight (700 g) and yield (38.0 t/ha), respectively.
Brassica oleracea var. capitata; organic matter; yield
