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Developing a Sustainable Management Strategy for Quantitative Estimation of Optimum Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendation Rates for Maize in Northeast China

Author

Listed:
  • Wenting Jiang

    (College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, Shaanxi, China)

  • Yingying Xing

    (College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, Shaanxi, China)

  • Xiukang Wang

    (College of Life Science, Yan’an University, Yan’an 716000, Shaanxi, China)

  • Xiaohu Liu

    (College of Land and Environmental, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Zhigang Cui

    (College of Land and Environmental, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

Abstract

Excessive application of chemical fertilizers has caused a series of environmental problems, including environmental pollution. Quantitative estimation of a sustainable fertilizer recommendation rate is paramount for formulating fertilizer management strategies to improve productivity of low-yield regions and to prevent environmental damage. In this study, the database was drawn from 31 experimental sites in the main maize production region of Northeast China, during the period 2009 to 2013, to study the relationships between yield factors and nitrogen application rates, and to explore sustainable nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendation rates based on analysis using the fertilizer response model. The fertilizer response model method is a technique that can provide effective performance predictions for the estimation of the optimum crop balanced fertilizer rates in varied agricultural regions. Results revealed that the average grain yield in treatment of N180 (the amount of nitrogen application rate was 90 kg ha −1 ) was highest, and the yield increase rate ranged from 4.77% to 58.53%, with an average of 25.89%. The sequence of grain yields in each treatment receiving N fertilizer management from high to low was: N180 > N270 > N90 in all the regions. The agronomic efficiency for applied N in N90, N180, N270 treatments was 11.8, 10.8, and 4.6 kg kg −1 , respectively. The average optimum N fertilizer recommendation rate in Liaoning province was 180.4 kg ha −1 , and the predicted optimum yield ranged between 7908.7 and 12,153.9 kg ha −1 , with an average of 9699.1 kg ha −1 . The mean optimum N fertilizer recommendation rate in western (WL), central and southern (SCL), eastern (EL), and northern (NL) of Liaoning province were 184.2, 177.2, 163.5, and 192.5 kg ha −1 , and the average predicted optimum yields were 8785.3, 10,630.3, 9347, and 9942.4 kg ha −1 . This study analyzed the spatial distribution of optimum fertilizer recommendation rates and the corresponding theoretical yield based on a large database, which helped to develop effective and environment-friendly N management strategies for sustainable production systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenting Jiang & Yingying Xing & Xiukang Wang & Xiaohu Liu & Zhigang Cui, 2020. "Developing a Sustainable Management Strategy for Quantitative Estimation of Optimum Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendation Rates for Maize in Northeast China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2607-:d:336936
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Limin Chuan & Huaiguo Zheng & Sufen Sun & Ailing Wang & Jipei Liu & Tongke Zhao & Jingjuan Zhao, 2019. "A Sustainable Way of Fertilizer Recommendation Based on Yield Response and Agronomic Efficiency for Chinese Cabbage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Wenting Jiang & Xiaohu Liu & Ying Wang & Yu Zhang & Wen Qi, 2018. "Responses to Potassium Application and Economic Optimum K Rate of Maize under Different Soil Indigenous K Supply," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-10, July.
    3. Jonathan A. Foley & Navin Ramankutty & Kate A. Brauman & Emily S. Cassidy & James S. Gerber & Matt Johnston & Nathaniel D. Mueller & Christine O’Connell & Deepak K. Ray & Paul C. West & Christian Balz, 2011. "Solutions for a cultivated planet," Nature, Nature, vol. 478(7369), pages 337-342, October.
    4. David Tilman & Kenneth G. Cassman & Pamela A. Matson & Rosamond Naylor & Stephen Polasky, 2002. "Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6898), pages 671-677, August.
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