In 2006, a widespread case of Chinese cabbage heartburn was reported in Funan County, Tangshan City, which led to a significant backlog in cabbage sales. As the planting season approaches again, the author has compiled relevant data and field experience to provide a detailed overview of the symptoms, causes, and preventive measures for this condition.
First, the symptoms. Chinese cabbage heartburn typically appears during the rosette stage and becomes more noticeable once the head starts forming. The condition worsens during storage. Affected leaves show curling at the edges, followed by yellowing and drying of the margins. As the disease progresses, the upper parts of the leaf blades also turn dry and yellow, becoming brittle like paper. The affected leaves are clearly distinguishable from healthy ones. Most of the diseased leaves are found in the center of the head, and severely affected plants often have most of their leaves turning yellow, which greatly reduces the quality of the cabbage.
Second, the cause. This is a physiological disorder rather than a pathogenic one. It is commonly triggered by factors such as excessive planting density, drought conditions, and overuse of ammonium sulfate fertilizer. These conditions can lead to a deficiency of water-soluble calcium in the soil, which in turn affects the manganese levels. A lack of manganese in the plant tissues is a major contributing factor to the development of heartburn.
Third, prevention and control methods. Once the disease occurs, it's challenging to manage effectively. To prevent it, it's important to choose fields that haven't been used for cruciferous crops in the past 2-3 years, to avoid replanting. Fertilization should be balanced—using organic manure as a base and supplementing with appropriate chemical fertilizers. Excessive nitrogen application, especially ammonium sulfate, should be avoided. Instead, increasing phosphorus and potassium applications helps promote balanced nutrient uptake and enhances the plant’s resistance to disease.
Maintaining adequate soil moisture is crucial, especially during the seedling and rosette stages. Regular watering helps ensure sufficient water-soluble manganese in the soil. Additionally, applying a 0.7% manganese sulfate solution as a foliar spray—50 liters per acre, repeated 2-3 times during the seedling and rosette stages—can effectively meet the plant's manganese needs and reduce the risk of heartburn.
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