Soil Nutrient Monitored Village in Jianghuai and Huaibei Districts, Anhui

Analysis of 273 soil samples from yellow-drab and paddy soils around Jianghui showed that soil nitrogen (N), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), and boron (B) were insufficient, while calcium (Ca,) magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu) were abundant. More specifically, 67% of soils had available K lower than the critical level (78 mg/kg), 54% had K levels lower than 50 mg/kg (seriously K deficient), 35% were deficient in P (available P lower than 12 mg/kg), 73% were deficient in Zn (available Zn lower than 2 mg/kg), and 42% were deficient in B (available B lower than 0.2 mg/kg).

A K application trial for winter wheat-summer maize was established at Huaibei Village. To date, results indicate that K fertilizer efficiently promotes growth of both crops, increases output value, and raises farmer’s income. Potassium application increased wheat yield from 4,620 (zero K) to 5,040 kg/ha with 90 kg K₂O/ha, and to 5,420 kg/ha with 210 kg K₂O/ha. In maize, K fertilizer increased yield from 7,850 (zero K) to 9,160 kg/ha with 90 kg K₂O/ha, and to 9,670 kg/ha with 210 kg K₂O/ha. Application of K fertilizer increased net profit by US$71 to US$107/ha (wheat), and by US$164 to US$192/ha (maize). Results from a rapeseed-maize field trial at Jianghui showed similar results to that observed in the wheat-maize trial. Rapeseed yield increased from 2,240 (without K) to 2,360 kg/ha with 90 kg K₂O/ha and to 2,490 kg/ha with 135 kg K₂O/ha. In maize, yield increased from 6,770 (without K) to 7,690 kg/ha with 120 kg K₂O/ha, and to 8,000 kg/ha with 180 kg K₂O/ha. Compared to the zero K treatment, net income from rapeseed with K was enhanced by up to US$62/ha, and the net income from maize with K increased by up to US$180/ha. Compared with the zero P treatment, 90 kg P₂O₅/ha increased rapeseed yield from 2,010 (zero P) to 2,360 kg/ha and maize yield from 7,380 (zero P) to 7,900 kg/ha.

A soybean field trial at Huaibei showed that omission of N, P, or K from an optimum (OPT) fertilization treatment of 60-90-90 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha (2,270 kg/ha yield), led to consistently lower yields of 2,050, 2,070, and 2,050 kg/ha, or -10, -9, and –10%, respectively. The optimum NPK treatment increased net profit by US$48, US$25, and US$46/ha compared with the treatments omitting N, P, and K, respectively. A field trial for maize at Jianghui showed similar results as the OPT treatment of 210-90-90 kg/ha produced 7,550 kg/ha, which was 10, 9, and 12 % greater than yields resulting from the OPT minus N, OPT minus P, and OPT minus K treatments, respectively. The OPT treatment increased profit by 43, 67 and US$106/ha compared with the treatments omitting N, P, or K.

Balanced fertilization demonstrations were held at 10 farmer fields in Huaibei. Yield results clearly demonstrated the inadequacy of common farmer practice as balanced fertilization increased wheat yield from 4,600 kg/ha (common practice) to 5,170 kg/ha (balanced fertilization) and the average profit increased by US$33/ha.

Batches of 20 t and 50 t bulk blend fertilizer were specifically produced for and applied to 20 ha of maize and 100 ha of wheat based on soil nutrient content and crop demand in Huaibei. Similarly, a 50 t batch was applied to 100 ha of rapeseed in Jianghui. These crop-specific bulk blended fertilizers were especially welcomed by farmers. Anhui-12-NMS