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Fertilizer Use on Different Upland Cropping Systems for Soil Conservation in Yunnan

IPNI-1997-CHN-YN9

Overview Related Interpretive Summary
25 May 2001

1997 Annual Interpretive Summary


Fertilizer use on different upland cropping systems for soil conservation in Yunnan province, 1997

This study examined the effects of balanced fertilization with alley cropping and vegetation terraces on the sloping lands of Yunnan. Best results were obtained with the combination of adequate fertilization and vegetative terraces. These terraces allowed for soil losses 34 and 135 times less than alfalfa/clover pastures or bare ground, respectively. In addition, corn grain and residues were consistently increased with balanced fertilization. Since this is the first year of the project, it is too early to establish an economic impact since high initial costs from terrace establishment need to be recovered over a number of years. The relatively poor results obtained with alfalfa/clover pastures were likely a function of a low soil pH (5.3), but this problem can be easily rectified in future years. YUNNAN-09