Abstract:

This study aims to investigate the comprehensive effects of microbial fertilizer and farmyard manure on the yield, quality, and trace element accumulation of red beets, in order to evaluate the feasibility of replacing chemical fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted from May to October 2022 at the Hulan Experimental Station of Heilongjiang University, using the cultivar ‘ACTION F1’. Three treatments were established: microbial fertilizer (T1), farmyard manure (T2), and chemical fertilizer (CK). Indicators such as plant height, root length, leaf area, yield, betacyanin content, crude fiber, crude protein, and trace elements were measured at different growth stages. In terms of growth indicators, T2 treatment significantly promoted the growth and development of red beets, during the root sugar accumulation period, plant height increased by 7.2% compared to CK, leaf area increased by 43.95%, and root length increased by 37.59%. All these metrics were significantly superior to those of the T1 and CK treatments. Regarding yield and quality, the farmyard manure treatment performed the best, yield reached 87123.70 kg/hm², representing a significant increase of 12.9% compared to CK; the contents of betacyanin (3.69 mg/mL), crude fiber (0.60%), and crude protein (187.22 g/100 g) were all significantly higher than those of other treatments. Among trace elements, Mn, Co, and Fe showed increases ranging from 14.0% to 40.2%. Principal component analysis revealed that T2 achieved the highest comprehensive score, indicating that T2 performed optimally in terms of red beet yield, quality, and trace element accumulation. Farmyard manure can significantly promote the formation of red beet yield and quality by improving soil conditions and nutrient supply, making it the recommended fertilization strategy for green cultivation of red beets.

Key words: Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. conditiva, microbial fertilizer, farmyard manure, yield, quality, trace elements, betacyanin