Nutrient Management Strategies for Sichuan

Effects of balanced fertilizers on yield and quality of four vegetables were evaluated in field trials. The balanced fertilizers vs. farmers’ practice increased yield of lettuce by 3787 kg/ha or 21.4%, cabbage by 12925kg/ha or 27.7%, garlic bulbs by 709 kg/ha or 19.0%, and eggplant by 1750 kg/ha or 28.2%. The balanced NPK fertilizers plus Ca or aglime could further increase the yields of the four vegetables from 9.0% to 20%. This can be applicable to 350 thousand ha of vegetable fields on Chengdu Plain. The estimated potential for increased K2O use per year on vegetables can reach to about 15 thousand tons (by 20% of increase per year). SICHUAN-NMS01