Key Technical Points for Soil Testing and Formula Fertilization of Chinese Cabbage

Chinese cabbage has a long growth period and high yield, and its nutrient demand is extremely large. It absorbs the most potassium, followed by nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Fertilizer requirements:

Chinese cabbage has a long growth period and high yield, and its nutrient demand is extremely large. It absorbs the most potassium, followed by nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. The overall fertilizer requirement pattern is: nutrient uptake is relatively low at the seedling stage, increases markedly at the rosette stage, and is highest at the heading stage. Adequate nitrogen nutrition is of particularly great significance for promoting the formation of large green leaves and improving photosynthetic efficiency. If phosphorus and potassium supply is insufficient in the later stage, it is often difficult for the plant to form heads.

Fertilization technology:

At a medium fertility level, the fertilizer application rates for the whole growth period per mu are 2000-2500 kg of farmyard manure (or 300-350 kg of commercial organic fertilizer), 13-16 kg of nitrogen fertilizer, 5-8 kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 10-12 kg of potash fertilizer. Nitrogen and potash fertilizers are divided into a base application and two topdressings, while phosphate fertilizer is applied entirely as a base fertilizer. Chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure (or commercial organic fertilizer) are applied mixed together.

Base fertilizer: Apply 2000-2500 kg of farmyard manure or 300-350 kg of commercial organic fertilizer per mu, plus 4-5 kg of urea, 11-17 kg of diammonium phosphate, 6-7 kg of potassium sulfate, and 20 kg of calcium nitrate.

Topdressing: At the rosette stage, apply 10-12 kg of urea and 7-9 kg of potassium sulfate per mu; at the early heading stage, apply 10-12 kg of urea and 7-9 kg of potassium sulfate per mu.

Foliar topdressing: Spraying a 0.3% calcium chloride solution or a 0.25%-0.50% calcium nitrate solution during the growth period can reduce the incidence of tipburn. Spraying a 0.5%-1.0% urea solution or a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution at the early heading stage can improve the market value of Chinese cabbage.

Haosi