Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable belonging to the Brassica family. It has strong adaptability to different soil types but thrives best in sandy loam or loamy soils rich in organic matter and with good water and nutrient retention. The growth cycle of cauliflower includes several stages: germination, seedling, rosette formation, and flower development. This crop has a long growing period and requires a significant amount of nutrients throughout its life cycle. Among these, nitrogen and potassium are the most critical. Nitrogen is particularly important during the vigorous leaf growth stage, while potassium uptake peaks during the flowering phase. In addition to these, cauliflower also needs substantial amounts of boron, magnesium, calcium, and molybdenum. On average, producing 1000 kg of cauliflower requires about 13.4 kg of nitrogen, 3.93 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 9.59 kg of potassium oxide, with a nutrient absorption ratio of approximately 1:0.3:0.7. The nutrient requirements vary at different growth stages. Before the formation of flower buds, nutrient uptake is relatively low. However, as the flower buds begin to develop and expand, the plant's demand for nutrients increases rapidly. The peak period for nutrient absorption occurs during the early stages of flower bud differentiation and flower head development. If nitrogen supply is insufficient during this time, the plant may redirect nutrients from the leaves to the developing flower head, causing yellowing or even leaf drop. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure adequate phosphorus and potassium supply to support healthy flower head expansion. Cauliflower is a calcium-loving crop and requires high levels of calcium. A deficiency in calcium—either due to soil conditions or environmental factors—can lead to dry tip symptoms, which negatively impact both yield and quality. Similarly, it is highly sensitive to boron. A lack of boron can cause cracked or lobed leaf stalks, stem cracking, brown spots on the flower heads, and a bitter taste. Molybdenum is another essential micronutrient; a deficiency can result in "whip disease," a common issue in cauliflower. Fertilization techniques play a vital role in ensuring optimal growth. For every mu (approximately 667 square meters), it is recommended to apply 2500–3000 kg of farmyard manure or 350–400 kg of commercial organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer. Additionally, 20–23 kg of nitrogen, 6–8 kg of phosphate, and 11–14 kg of potassium should be applied. Organic fertilizer is used as a base, while nitrogen and potassium are split between base and top dressing. Phosphate is usually applied as a base fertilizer along with farmyard manure or commercial compost. **Base Fertilizer:** Apply 2500–3000 kg of farmyard manure or 350–400 kg of commercial organic fertilizer per mu, along with 6 kg of urea, 13–17 kg of diammonium phosphate, and 7–8 kg of potassium sulfate. If the soil is deficient in boron, add 0.5 kg of boron per mu. **Topdressing:** During the rosette stage, apply 10–11 kg of urea and 5–6 kg of potassium sulfate to promote flower bud formation. At the early stage of flower head development, use 13–15 kg of urea and 6–8 kg of potassium sulfate to encourage rapid expansion and prevent hollow stems. During the mid-stage of flower head formation, apply 10–11 kg of urea and 5–6 kg of potassium sulfate to improve yield and quality. **Foliar Applications:** If there is a calcium deficiency, apply 0.3%–0.5% calcium chloride or calcium nitrate solution during the rosette stage. For boron deficiency, spray 0.1%–0.2% borax solution during the early and mid-stages of leaf development. If magnesium is lacking, apply 0.2%–0.4% magnesium sulfate solution once or twice. For molybdenum, spray 0.01% ammonium molybdate solution during the flowering stage. In greenhouse cultivation, carbon dioxide gas fertilizers can also be used to enhance growth. For more information, visit our website **http://**.
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