[Objective] The purpose of the study was conducted to clarify the effect of fertilization on cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) yield and N

P

and K nutrient absorption. We expected to provide scientific basis for fertilization reasonably in Lanzhou City.[Methods] A spring cabbage variety "Zhonggan 21" that is cultivated widely in Gansu Province was used as test material in this experiment. Field fertilization with CK (no fertilizer)

PK

NK

NP and NPK treatments was carried out in Lanzhou City

Gansu Province in 2013. Dry matters of the cabbage and contents of N

P2O5 and K2O in it were examined respectively at each growth stage. The influences of different fertilizer combination treatments on N

P2O5 and K2O contents and cabbage yield were analyzed

and the absorption rates of N

P and K at different growing stages were explored.[Results] The accumulated amount of dry matter of cabbage exhibited a "S" shaped line. The biomass was relatively low at seeding stage

and increased rapidly after cabbaged phase

but increased slowly and steadily at maturity stage. Nitrogen fertilizer was found having a great influence on biomass at each stage. Phosphate and potash were found having less influences on it. It proved that different fertilizer treatments significantly affected the contents and absorption rates of N

P2O5 and K2O. The results showed that the rates of absorption of N

P2O5 and K2O gradually increased from seedling stage to maturity stage. It also promoted nutrient content. In particular

the N and P accumulations improved obviously at cabbage phase

but K accumulation appeared a great increase at rosette stage.[Conclusion] Ratios of N

P and K fertilizers could significantly affect cabbage biomass

nutrient content and accumulation

nutrition use efficiency and yield. The most important factor is nitrogen fertilizer

the second one is phosphate

the influence from potash is the lowest.