Nutrient Management Strategies for Guizhou

This monitored village study in Pinba county, Guizhou province, is a part of the Nutrient Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture in China project. The objective is to track soil nutrient variability between villages and among fields within each village. These data combined with other information from field trials and fertilizer use surveys will be used to develop soil fertility management zones, a nutrient management database, and improved fertilization strategies for Guizhou Province.

Results show that soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are major limiting factors to crop production in the village. All the soil samples were deficient in N, 62 percent in P, 66 percent in K, and 34 percent in boron (B). Traditional fertilizer application rates are low, ranging between 290 to 414 kg/ha with a N:P₂O₅:K₂O ratio of 8.3:2.3:1. A balanced fertilization treatment of 138-108-158 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha increased corn yield by 1,000 kg/ha (11 percent) compared to common farmer practice of 60-60-30. Corn receiving the same balanced application rate yielded an additional 3,670 kg/ha (91 percent increase) compared to a zero K treatment of 138-108-0.

This information will be applied to 630,000 hectares (ha) of corn in Guizhou province. Estimated potential for increased P and K use per year on corn approaches 6,000 t of P₂O₅ and 16,000 t of K₂O. GUIZHOU-NMS05