Application of Information Technology in Soil Nutrient Management and Balanced Fertilization in Xinjiang

Cotton and wheat are the major crops for Xinjiang Province and are the focus of our balanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) fertilization research for the region.

A cotton field trial conducted in Hawati County found fertilization with 207-138-72 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha produced the highest yield of 1,461 kg lint cotton/ha. Omission of N, P, or K resulted in respective yield reductions of 25%, 15%, and 7.9%. One US$ input as N, P, or K fertilizer increased farmer net income by US$10.80 for N, US$10.70 for P, and US$5.30 for K. Two large cotton field demonstrations for K (16 ha in total) were conducted in two villages and results showed that 72 kg K₂O/ha along with 263 kg N/ha and 138 P₂O₅ /ha produced high lint yields between 1,524 and 1,599 kg/ha, which were 9 to 9.7% higher than the NP treatment.

A wheat field trial conducted in Hawati County found fertilization with 270-120-38 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha produced the highest yield of 8,204 kg/ha and omission of N, P, or K resulted in respective yield reductions of 20%, 17%, and 13%. One US$ input as N, P, or K fertilizer increased farmer net income by US$1.80 for N, US$6.10 for P, and US$2.90 for K fertilizer. A large field demonstration for K was also conducted; 25 kg K₂O/ha with 267 kg N/ha and 103 kg P₂O₅ /ha gave a wheat yield of 8,279 kg/ha, which was 16% higher than the NP treatment. Xinjiang-NMS02