Nutrient management and optimized fertilization on selected crops in Liaoning province

Six nutrient management treatments on corn were conducted in Gaizhou city, Haicheng city, Shenyang city, Changtu County, Chaoyang County, and Fumeng County, in Liaoning. The treatments included: 1) site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), 2) SSNM-N, 3) SSNM-P, 4) SSNM-K, 5) a check (CK) with no fertilizer applied, and 6) Farmer practice (FP).

Results found SSNM to produce the highest yield among all treatments. Corn yields increased by 9 to 11%, 4 to 6%, and 6 to 7% in Southern (Gaizhou city and Haicheng city), Northcentral (Shenyang city and Changtu County), and Western Liaoning (Chaoyang County and Fumeng County), respectively. This recommended SSNM increased net income by USD 22 to 159/ha compared to FP when compared across all regions, especially in the south, where it was enhanced by USD 132 to 159/ha, and net income increased by USD 63 to 99/ha and USD 23 to 35/ha in the north and west of Liaoning. It is suggested that the recommended fertilizer SSNM treatment is more rational than common farmer practice, and more beneficial to improve corn production and economic benefits for farmers. Liaoning-NMBF