Study on Nutrient Management Technology for Vegetables in Wuhan

Red flower stalk is one of the main vegetables in Wuhan region. However unbalanced fertilization frequently limits its yield and quality. This project was started in 2011 to study the benefit of proper nutrient management practices for improving red flower stalk yields and quality. Treatments include five application rates each of N (0, 300, 600, 900, and 1,200 kg N/ha), P (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 kg P₂O₅/ha) and K (0, 225, 450, 675, and 900 kg K₂O/ha).

Results showed that the number of green leaf flowing stalks had no significant relationship with application rates of N, P and K fertilizers at the beginning of growing season, but increased with the increase in N application rates in the middle and late growth periods. Similarly, the green leaf number increased with P and K application rates in middle and late periods. Nitrogen fertilization improved the yield of flowering stalk. Relationship between yield (Y) and N application rate (X) followed the quadratic equation: Y=-0.0154X²+14.380X+12181 (R²=0.929). When N fertilization rate reached 467 kg/ha, the yield of flowering stalk increased to 15,538 kg/ha. Nitrogen application increased the concentration of nitrate in the stalk. N, P and K fertilization also affected the content of vitamin C in the plant.