Partial substitution of mineral fertilizer with biofertilizer enhances cauliflower nutritional quality, yield, and soil characteristics

Abstract

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) is as an important ingredient in many healthy diets worldwide, but there is a lack of scientific knowledge about fertilizer management during cauliflower production. We conducted field experiments in Yuzhong, China, in 2015 and 2016 to determine the effects of the integrated use of biofertilizer and a reduced rate of mineral fertilizers on cauliflower growth, quality, and yield and on soil characteristics. Three different rates of mineral fertilizer (60, 80, and 100% of the mineral fertilizers; 100% rate = 400 N kg ha −1 , 225 kg P 2 O 5 ha −1 , 125 kg K 2 O ha −1 ) and 500 kg ha −1 biofertilizer were applied to the crop with three replicates. The results showed that the use of the mineral fertilizer at 80% in combination with biofertilizer (80% BF) increased the vitamin C content of cauliflower heads by 39.5% in 2015 and 43.6% in 2016 compared with the 100% mineral fertilization treatment (100% MF). The 80% BF treatment decreased the nitrate content by 27.1% in 2015 and 27.6% in 2016 and improved the soluble sugar contents by 19.1% in 2015 and 29.5% in 2016 compared with the 100% MF treatment. However, the effect of the 80% BF treatment on marketable yield was found to be nonsignificant. Biofertilization also improved the soil organic matter, available N, P, and K, and enzyme activities. We observed that conjugative use of biofertilizer and a reduction in mineral N-P-K fertilizer can be used successfully in cauliflower production without compromising marketable yields.

Reduced Chemical Fertilizer Combined With Bio-Organic Fertilizer Affects the Soil Microbial Community and Yield and Quality of Lettuce

“…In this study, we found that in lettuce, the levels of soluble sugars, soluble protein, and vitamin C increased to varying degrees in the T1–4 treatment groups ( Figure 4 ). Similar results have also been reported in tomatoes ( Brunetti et al, 2019 ) and cauliflowers ( Yang et al, 2020a ). Based on these findings, we speculate that the application of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with bio-organic fertilizer can promote the yield and quality of lettuce by improving soil chemical properties and microbial communities ( Figure 5 ).…”

Effects of Reduced Nitrogen with Bio-Organic Fertilizer on Soil Properties, Yield and Quality of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage

“…The soluble sugar and VC content of 'yellow rose' cabbage increased, while nitrate content decreased when the plants were applied by reduced nitrogen with bio-organic fertilizer (Table 3, Figure 3). Similar results were reported by Wang [39] on cabbages, by Brunetti [40] on tomato and by Yang [41] on cauliflower. The latest research shows that reducing nitrogen by 20-30% with bio-organic fertilizer had the best quality improvement effect on cabbage [42] and tomato [43].…”

Nitrogen Reduction with Bio-Organic Fertilizer Altered Soil Microorganisms, Improved Yield and Quality of Non-Heading Chinese Cabbage (Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis Makino)

“…Research suggests that organic matter as an overall indicator is essential for soil quality, which can bring many benefits to soil and plants [38]. The application of organic fertilizer not only improves soil enzyme activity [39], but also improves the available macronutrient content and increases soil micronutrient availability [40]. In this study, nitrogen reduction with bio-organic fertilizer improved the invertase and FDA soil activities (N2 and S2) (Figure S1), as well as K and Zn contents (N2) compared with conventional fertilization.…”