Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 173-181 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 177 5.3 Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint comparison Slow-release fertilizers and organic fertilizers can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, under a reasonable nitrogen dosage, slow-release fertilizers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of cabbage by 30%, and emissions related to fertilizers can also be reduced by half (Sikora et al., 2020). Organic fertilizers and biochar fertilizers can also enhance the carbon storage capacity of soil, and less use of chemical fertilizers can also reduce overall carbon emissions (Zhao et al., 2022). Less application of chemical fertilizers can also reduce the nitrogen footprint and lower the social and environmental costs. When growing vegetables, it can even reduce the nitrogen footprint by 29% to 61%. 5.4 Indicators of environmental performance According to life cycle assessment (LCA), if combined with reasonable fertilization and covering measures, it can also reduce water consumption, land area and environmental toxicity (Ponjičan et al., 2021). Organic fertilizers and slow-release fertilizers not only increase the yield and quality of cabbage, but also enhance the enzyme activity and carbon storage capacity in the soil, which is also beneficial to the ecological environment (Sarkar et al., 2021). In addition, with customized nutrient management systems (such as NEc), it is possible to increase the yield while making the fertilizer utilization rate higher and more environmentally friendly (Liu et al., 2025). 6 Optimization Strategies for Fertilizer Application in Cabbage 6.1 Timing and frequency of application To make cabbage grow better and apply fertilizer more efficiently, the key is to arrange the timing and frequency of fertilization properly. Research has found that applying nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in stages during the seedling stage and the mature stage, for example, using 210 kilograms of nitrogen, 105 kilograms of phosphorus and 210 kilograms of potassium per hectare, can greatly improve fertilizer utilization rate and also increase yield (Cao et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2025). Applying the fertilizer in several portions, from the side or by drip irrigation can also help reduce fertilizer loss and allow cabbage to absorb it more fully (Coolong et al., 2022). 6.2 Methods: banding, foliar feeding, fertigation, compost integration The methods of fertilization have different effects on the growth of cabbage. Strip fertilization and multiple toppings of liquid fertilizer can reduce nitrogen loss and enable cabbage to grow better in the early stage (Coolong et al., 2022). During critical growth periods, such as the rapid growth period, foliar fertilization or drip irrigation for nutrient supplementation is a good approach, and the effect is quick (Liu et al., 2025). The combined use of compost and chemical fertilizers can not only increase the yield, but also improve the soil structure and increase the types of microorganisms (Adhikari et al., 2023). 6.3 Integrated nutrient management (INM): blending organic and synthetic inputs Integrated nutrient management (INM) advocates the combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers. Many studies have shown that organic fertilizers such as compost, vermicompost and livestock manure, combined with an appropriate amount of chemical fertilizers, can increase cabbage yield by more than 10%, improve nutrition, for example, increase vitamin C and sugar content, and at the same time reduce nitrate and lower environmental harm (Adhikari et al., 2023). If bio-organic fertilizers and microbial agents are added, it will be of greater help to soil health and nutrient absorption by crops (Gao et al., 2023; Bejarano-Herrera et al., 2024). 6.4 Matching fertilizer strategy to cultivar type, soil condition, and climate zone How to fertilize depends on the variety of cabbage, the fertility of the soil and the local climate. For some high-yield varieties, or the soil itself is fertile, less chemical fertilizer can be applied. Don't let the fertilizer be excessive, otherwise it will be bad for the environment (Cao et al., 2023). Where organic cabbage is grown, some legumes such as peas or broad beans can be rotated. This can provide nitrogen to the soil and is also beneficial for the yield of the next season of cabbage (Yfantopoulos et al., 2024). If it is in arid or semi-arid areas, fertilization should also be combined with watering. For example, watering once every six days and combining it with 100 kilograms of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare can make cabbage grow well (Liang, 2024; Liman et al., 2024).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==