Autumn cabbage is one of the most important vegetable crops in the city during the fall season, playing a crucial role in boosting farmers' income. Cultivating high-quality autumn cabbage not only meets market demand but also ensures better economic returns for growers. To achieve this, several key strategies should be implemented.
First, proper planting scheduling is essential to avoid market saturation. For instance, the main variety, Beijing No. 3, typically reaches the market in early November, leading to a short sales window and lower profits. As consumer behavior has shifted from bulk purchases to small, on-demand buying, farmers should consider adjusting their harvest times. By harvesting slightly earlier—around late October—they can sell in the morning market, where prices are higher even if the yield is slightly reduced. In the later stages, controlled storage can help spread out the supply, allowing for more flexible marketing based on real-time demand and maximizing profit.
Second, diversifying planting varieties can meet different consumer preferences. Farmers with access to direct-to-consumer channels or those interested in premium packaging can grow specialty cabbages like the orange-red variety developed by the Beijing Vegetable Research Center, which can be marketed as a unique seasonal product.
Third, adopting pollution-free production techniques is vital to ensure the quality and safety of the cabbage. Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has raised concerns about food safety. Therefore, it's important to use these inputs responsibly and focus on producing high-quality, safe vegetables that meet both nutritional and market standards.
To achieve high yields and superior quality, specific cultivation techniques are recommended:
1. Choose disease-resistant varieties such as Beijing New No. 3, Jingqiu No. 1, Zhongbai No. 2, and Zhongbai No. 4.
2. Prepare the field thoroughly, applying organic fertilizer at 5,000 kg per mu, along with 25 kg of diammonium phosphate, 15 kg of potassium, or 50 kg of compound fertilizer.
3. Sow seeds between August 3 and August 8. Before sowing, treat seeds with fungicides like Caifengning or Rhizoctonia to prevent diseases.
4. Plant using a small sorghum pattern, with rows no longer than 20 meters. Use compact varieties suitable for ridge planting.
5. Ensure proper plant density: Beijing New No. 3 and Jingqiu No. 1 should be planted at 1,800–2,000 plants per mu, while Zhongbai No. 2 and Zhongbai No. 4 require 2,000–2,200 plants per mu.
6. Carefully manage seedlings, watering them appropriately and controlling pests like aphids and cabbage worms using bio-pesticides or beta-cypermethrin.
7. During the rosette stage, apply 20 kg of urea or 50 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu after 10–20 days of growth, followed by watering and soil loosening. Continue pest control, especially for downy mildew and black spot.
8. Manage the head-forming stage carefully by applying fertilizer in stages rather than all at once. Avoid over-fertilization in the late growth phase to prevent issues like excessive nitrate accumulation. Also, integrate pest and disease control to maintain quality.
Watering should be done regularly, starting with small amounts and then every seven days. Stop watering seven days before harvest. Apply a heart-charge fertilizer in late September to early October, using 25 kg of urea to support head development. Throughout the growing season, top-dressing should follow a ratio of 1:3:4:2 for seedling, rosette, early ball, and mid-ball stages, respectively. A total of 70–100 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu is recommended for optimal results.
By following these practices, farmers can ensure a successful autumn cabbage harvest, improve market competitiveness, and sustain long-term profitability.
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