Nutrient Management Strategies for Chongqing

A monitored village study aims to better understand soil nutrient status and field variability to develop effective nutrient management techniques capable of improving crop yield and farmer benefits.The results, combined with other information from field trials and fertilizer use surveys collected in the village, will be supplied to a database and finally used to help formulate plans for fertilizer regulation and management in China.

Results show that soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are major limiting factors to crop growth in the village. All soil samples analyzed in the study were N deficient. In paddy soils, P, K, and sulfur (S) were deficient in 87, 98, and 6 percent of the soil samples, respectively. In upland soils, P, K, and S were deficient in 70, 93, and 70 percent of soil samples, respectively. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of all soil samples were deficient in zinc (Zn) and boron (B).

The information highlights the need for P and K in soils of the region. Balanced fertilization will increase N efficiency and improve crop yield and quality. These data can be extended to other similar regions in Chongqing. Awareness of this issue has great potential to increase P and K use. CHONGQING-NMS05