Study on Nutrient Management Technology for Vegetables in Wuhan

In 2012, an on-farm fertilization trial on eggplant was completed. Results showed that with the increase in N fertilization rates, eggplant yield and tissue nitrate content increased gradually. With the increase in P fertilization rates, eggplant yield increased at first up to 180 kg P₂O₅/ha application and then decreased. Vitamin C (Vc) content in eggplant also had a positive correlation with P fertilization rates, with increasing Vc values as P fertilization rates increased from 60 to 180 kg P₂O₅/ha. With the increase in K fertilization rates, just like with P, eggplant yield increased at first and then decreased. When fertilizer K rates increased from 240 to 360 kg K₂O/ha, single eggplant weight, yield, soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents were increased, while nitrate content was reduced. Thus, the optimum NPK fertilization rate of eggplant was found to be 360 kg N/ha, 135 kg P₂O₅/ha and 240 kg K₂O/ha. Results also indicated the uptake ratios of N: P₂O₅: K₂O as 1: 0.35: 1.76 in the early eggplant growing stage and 1: 0.40: 0.98 in the late eggplant growing stage. The intelligently controlled drip irrigation system in the experimental field increased fertilization efficiency quite significantly. Hubei-40