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Changes in the efficiency of fertiliser use in China
Author(s) -
Jin Jiyun
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.4700
Subject(s) - agronomy , limiting , nutrient , crop , yield (engineering) , soil fertility , phosphorus , environmental science , china , nitrogen , potassium , crop yield , potash , fertilizer , mathematics , biology , soil water , chemistry , geography , engineering , mechanical engineering , ecology , materials science , organic chemistry , archaeology , soil science , metallurgy
Results of three nationwide fertiliser efficiency studies in recent history in China are reviewed. The results indicate that after a long history using organic recycling to maintain soil fertility in China, nitrogen (N) became the first yield‐limiting nutrient in the first national fertiliser efficiency study in 1935–1940. With N fertilisation being used, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) deficiencies were gradually revealed and developed in the following national fertiliser efficiency studies in 1958–1962 and 1981–1983. Research conducted through the International Plant Nutrition (IPNI) cooperative network in China in 2000–2006 indicates that agronomic efficiencies of N fertiliser (yield increase per kilogram from the application of 1 kg N) for rice, wheat and maize are 11.7 kg, 10.8 kg and 12.2 kg grain per kilogram of N, respectively, while crop recovery efficiency of N (percentage of N taken up by plant in total N applied) with rice, wheat and maize were 24.8%, 35.7% and 30.5%, respectively. Both agronomic efficiency and crop recovery efficiency of N are significantly lower than the average N use efficiency reported in international literature for other countries. Current agronomic efficiency of P and K are also discussed. Measures to improve fertiliser use in China are discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry