Effects of mixed rare earth fertilizer on yield and nutrient quality of leafy vegetables during different seasons

Abstract

Using Chinese cabbage and rape as test material and examining the same soil conditions at different seasons (spring and autumn), the effects of mixed rare earth fertilizer on the yield and nutrient quality of leafy vegetables were studied to provide a theoretical basis for the application of mixed rare earth fertilizer in agriculture. Results showed a seasonal difference in the nutrient quality of Chinese cabbage and rape. For crops planted in autumn, the soluble sugar and vitamin C content were higher, the titratable acid and nitrate content were lower, and the sugar acid ratio was higher relative to crops planted in spring. Mixed rare earth treatments promoted growth of both crops during both seasons. The plot yield, stem and leaf fresh and dry matter weight, and dry and fresh ratio increased. These increases for Chinese cabbage were greater in autumn than in spring while for rape, the increases were greater in spring than autumn. The soluble sugar content, titratable acid content and sugar acid ratio were increased and the nitrate content decreased, in autumn the effects were more obvious than in spring. In spring, the vitamin C content was increased, and the increase was greater for Chinese cabbage than rape. In autumn, the vitamin C content decreased, and the decrease was greater for rape than Chinese cabbage. At the same time, the content of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni in stems and leaves decreased. This decrease was greater in spring for Chinese cabbage and in autumn for rape.