Nutrient Management and Balanced Fertilization on Major Crops in Jilin Province

Field experiments on N, P, and K rates for high yield maize were conducted in selected locations within the "maize belt" in Jilin Province in 2008.

Results indicated that, with available soil N between 107 to 202 mg/kg, the N rates for maximum economic yield ranged between 93 to 173 kg N/ha, resulting in maize yields between 9,600 to 12,280 kg/ha. Nitrogen application increased maize yield by 4 to 14%, and a single kg of N increased maize yield by 4 to 10 kg grain. The net benefit from N application was 180 to 1,240 Yuan/ha (US$26 to 182/ha). Results from P rate studies indicated that, with available soil P between 37 to 79 mg P₂O₅/kg, the P rates for maximum economic yield ranged between 13 to 56 kg P₂O₅/ha, resulting in maize yields between 7,840 to 11,090 kg/ha. Application of P increased maize yield by 0.9 to 9.6%, and a single kg of P₂O₅ increased maize yield by 6 to 24 kg grain. The net benefit from P application was 21 to 1,480 Yuan/ha (US$3 to 218/ha). Results from K rate studies indicated that, with available soil K between 136 to 239 mg/kg, the K rates for maximum economic yield ranged between 42 to 75 kg K₂O/ha, resulting in maize yields between 9,580 to 11,010 kg/ha. Application of K increased maize yield by 5 to 9%, and a single kg of K₂O increased maize yield by 8 to 17 kg grain. The net benefit from K application was 423 to 1,180 Yuan/ha (US$62/ha to US$174/ha). Jilin-NMBF