SummaryCabbage plants were grown for about 2 months in a culture solution containing 3 levels of nitrogen (5, 50, 500 ppm), phosphorus (2, 20, 200 ppm) and potassium (5, 50, 500 ppm), and effects of the supply on head yield and free sugar composition of the plants were studied.Plant dry weight and head yield increased with the increase of N (5.50 ppm), P (2 -.-20 ppm) and K (5.50 ppm) in the culture solution , and decreased at the highest level of each element.Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents in plants increased greatly with the increase of levels of each element. Fructose, glucose and sucrose contents of plants decreased with the increase of nitrogen levels, and the decrease of sucrose was great.In the phosphorus and potassium treatment, fructose and glucose contents did not change remarkably but sucrose content was the highest at 20 ppm of P and at 50 ppm of K. Fructose content was higher in head leaves than in outer leaves. There was close correlation between head yield and sucrose content in the outer leaves in all treatments with the exception that 5 ppm N.Nitrogen deficiency caused an increase of free sugar content, especially of sucrose.
IntroductionCabbage plants produce large heads when suitable amounts of mineral nutrients are supplied.When phosphorus and potassium are deficient, head yield and sugar content decrease, but the sugar content increases in the many cases of nitrogen deficiency. Under ordinary conditions, ratios of nitrogen content to other nutrient contents and to carbohydrate contents are a main factor in determining the head production of cabbage plants(4). Normal cabbage heads contain a large amount of minerals, sugars and vitamins, and thus have good qualities and high commercial value as a vegetable.Sweet taste is one of the important factors in estimating the quality of cabbage heads. Free sugars are responsible for the sweet taste, because they are the largest part of carbohydrates of the head.The main free sugars in cabbage plants are glucose, fructose and sucrose, and proportions of these sugars are influenced by cultural conditions(6).If the Receive d for publication October 26, 1987.