A Detailed Guide to the Key Points of Fertilizing Root Mustard

Root mustard, also known as kohlrabi or rutabaga, is a vegetable with fairly rich nutritional value. Because it is rich in fiber, it can effectively relieve constipation. In addition, it can also have the effects of clearing heat, reducing inflammation, resisting bacteria, and detoxifying. Let us take a look together at what are the key points of fertilizing root mustard?

1. What are the key points of fertilizing root mustard?

In addition to the base fertilizer in the soil, root mustard also needs additional topdressing. Generally, about three topdressings are needed during its growth period. The first is applied after the root mustard seedlings emerge, using relatively dilute human and livestock urine or manure, so that its leaves can grow thick and strong. The second topdressing is applied when the leaves and fleshy roots of the root mustard are growing rapidly, using slightly more concentrated human and livestock manure mixed with urea. If the growth is relatively good during this period, then no additional fertilizer is needed. The third topdressing is mainly based on its growth condition; if the growth is weak, human and livestock manure needs to be applied as topdressing.

Overall, organic fertilizer is used as the base fertilizer, and then nitrogen fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer, and so on are added. In this way, the root mustard can have high commercial value, and growers can obtain more income.

2. Root mustard cultivation techniques

1. Planting time

When planting root mustard, autumn sowing is always chosen; here, no distinction is made between the south and the north. In autumn, the temperature drops relatively quickly. In places where the winter temperature is very low, the sowing time can be slightly earlier. In areas where the winter temperature drops relatively slowly, the sowing time can be postponed. Mastering the sowing time is very important. If it is too early, early bolting is likely to occur; if sowing is too late, then yield and quality may be reduced because the earlier growth did not receive enough nutrients. Of course, in high-altitude cold regions, if the growth time for root mustard is too short, spring sowing can be adopted.

2. Soil requirements

The growth of root mustard does not have high soil requirements. Generally, clay soil with good fertilizer and water retention capacity, good drainage, strong air permeability, and rich organic matter is relatively good.

3. Field planting work

Before field planting root mustard, suitable-sized beds should be dug, roughly with a volume of 20*15*15. The row spacing and plant spacing are determined according to the size of different varieties. Remember, if the planting density is too high, the fleshy roots of root mustard will be relatively small and not suitable for processing.

4. Fertilization

The growth of root mustard requires relatively sufficient fertilizer because, as a vegetable with fleshy roots, in addition to nitrogen fertilizer, it also needs to be combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers so that it can grow well. When topdressing, follow the order of dilute, thick, dilute, and also determine whether topdressing is needed according to its growth condition. If the growth is vigorous, then no fertilizer is needed.

5. Harvesting

Because root mustard cannot overwinter on the surface in places with relatively severe frost, it must be harvested before the frost. How do you judge whether it is mature? Generally, when the roots change from green to yellow and the leaves appear orange-yellow, it is mature.

In areas with relatively heavy winter frost, root mustard cannot overwinter in the open field and must be harvested before the frost. North China has severe winters, autumn sowing is earlier, and the total growth period is relatively short, generally only about 90 days, so it should be harvested from late October to early and mid-November. In warmer areas such as Yunnan and Sichuan, the growth period of early-maturing varieties is about 120 days, that of mid-maturing varieties is about 130 days, and that of late-maturing varieties is about 140-150 days. Generally, late December to early and mid-January is the suitable harvest period.

The sign of maturity is that the basal leaves turn orange-yellow, the root head changes from green to yellow, and side branches or flower buds begin to appear in the leaf axils; at this time, harvest promptly. If harvesting is too late, the epidermis thickens, fiber increases, and bolting or hollowing occurs, affecting processing quality. After digging up the fleshy roots, cut off the side roots. According to processing needs, either remove all leaves or keep a few green leaves, and then handle them according to processing requirements. Generally, the yield is about 30,000 kg per hectare.