|
|
Managing nutrient for both food security and environmental sustainability in China: an experiment for the world |
Fusuo ZHANG( ),Zhenling CUI,Weifeng ZHANG |
Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China |
|
|
Abstract The challenges of how to simultaneously ensure global food security, improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and protect the environment have received increasing attention. However, the dominant agricultural paradigm still considers high yield and reducing environmental impacts to be in conflict with one another. Here we examine a Three-Step-Strategy of past 20 years to produce more with less in China, showing that tremendous progress has been made to reduce N fertilizer input without sacrificing crop yield. The first step is to use technology for in-season root-zone nutrient management to significantly increase NUE. The second is to use technology for integrated nutrient management to increase both yield and NUE by 15%–20%. The third step is to use technology for integrated soil-crop system management to increase yield and NUE by 30%–50% simultaneously. These advances can thus be considered an effective agricultural paradigm to ensure food security, while increasing NUE and improving environmental quality.
|
Keywords
integrated nutrient management
integrated soil-crop system management
environmental protection
food security
resource use efficiency
|
Corresponding Author(s):
Fusuo ZHANG
|
Issue Date: 22 May 2014
|
|
1 |
Tilman D, Cassman K G, Matson P A, Naylor R, Polasky S. Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature, 2002, 418(6898): 671–677
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01014
pmid: 12167873
|
2 |
Foley J A, Ramankutty N, Brauman K A, Cassidy E S, Gerber J S, Johnston M, Mueller N D, O’Connell C, Ray D K, West P C, Balzer C, Bennett E M, Carpenter S R, Hill J, Monfreda C, Polasky S, Rockstr?m J, Sheehan J, Siebert S, Tilman D, Zaks D P. Solutions for a cultivated planet. Nature, 2011, 478(7369): 337–342
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10452
pmid: 21993620
|
3 |
Burney J A, Davis S J, Lobell D B. Greenhouse gas mitigation by agricultural intensification. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2010, 107(26): 12052–12057
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0914216107
pmid: 20551223
|
4 |
Tilman D, Balzer C, Hill J, Befort B L. Global food demand and the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011, 108(50): 20260–20264
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1116437108
pmid: 22106295
|
5 |
IFA. 2013. IFADATA–International Fertilizer Industry Association. www.fertilizer.org/ifa/HomePage/STATISTICS, 2013–<month>11</month>–<day>04</day>
|
6 |
Guo J H, Liu X J, Zhang Y, Shen J L, Han W X, Zhang W F, Christie P, Goulding K W T, Vitousek P M, Zhang F S. Significant acidification in major Chinese croplands. Science, 2010, 327(5968): 1008–1010
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1182570
pmid: 20150447
|
7 |
Liu X J, Zhang Y, Han W X, Tang A H, Shen J L, Cui Z L, Vitousek P, Erisman J W, Goulding K, Christie P, Fangmeier A, Zhang F S. Enhanced nitrogen deposition over China. Nature, 2013, 494(7438): 459–462
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11917
pmid: 23426264
|
8 |
Smith P, Martino D, Cai Z, Gwary D, Janzen H, Kumar P, McCarl B, Ogle S, O’Mara F, Rice C, Scholes B, Sirotenko O, Howden M, McAllister T, Pan G, Romanenkov V, Schneider U, Towprayoon S, Wattenbach M, SmithJ. Greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture. Philosophical Transactions, 2008, 363(1492): 789–813
https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2007.2184
pmid: 17827109
|
9 |
Chen X P, Cui Z L, Vitousek P M, Cassman K G, Matson P A, Bai J S, Meng Q F, Hou P, Yue S C, R?mheld V, Zhang F S. Integrated soil-crop system management for food security. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2011, 108(16): 6399–6404
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1101419108
pmid: 21444818
|
10 |
Fan M, Shen J, Yuan L, Jiang R, Chen X, Davies W J, Zhang F. Improving crop productivity and resource use efficiency to ensure food security and environmental quality in China. Journal of Experimental Botany, 2012, 63(1): 13–24
https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/err248
pmid: 21963614
|
11 |
Le C, Zha Y, Li Y, Sun D, Lu H, Yin B. Eutrophication of lake waters in China: cost, causes, and control. Environmental Management, 2010, 45(4): 662–668
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-010-9440-3
pmid: 20177679
|
12 |
Zheng X, Han S, Huang Y, Wang Y, Wang M. Re-quantifying the emission factors based on field measurements and estimating the direct N2O emission from Chinese croplands. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 2004, 18(2): GB2018
https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GB002167
|
13 |
FAO. FAOSTAT Database. Rome: agriculture production. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. http://www.fao.org/home/en/, 2014-03-07
|
14 |
Cui Z, Chen X, Zhang F. Current nitrogen management status and measures to improve the intensive wheat-maize system in China. Ambio, 2010, 39(5–6): 376–384
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-010-0076-6
pmid: 21053721
|
15 |
Peng S B, Huang J L, Zhong X H. Research strategy in improving fertilizer-nitrogen use efficiency of irrigated rice in China. Scientia Agricultura Sinica, 2002, 35: 1095–1103 (In Chinese)
|
16 |
Zhao R F, Chen X P, Zhang F S, Zhang H, Schroder J, Roemheld V. Fertilization and nitrogen balance in a wheat-maize rotation system in North China. Agronomy Journal, 2006, 98(4): 938–945
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2005.0157
|
17 |
Dobermann A, Witt C, Dawe D, Abdulrachman S, Gines H C, Nagarajan R, Satawathananont S, Son T T, Tan P S, Wang G H, Chien N V, Thoa V T K, Phung C V, Stalin P, Muthukrishnan P, Ravi V, Babu M, Chatuporn S, Sookthongsa J, Sun Q, Fu R, Simbahan G, Adviento M A A. Site-specific nutrient management for intensive rice cropping systems in Asia. Field Crops Research, 2002, 74(1): 37–66
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4290(01)00197-6
|
18 |
Liu X, Ju X, Zhang F, Pan J, Christie P. Nitrogen dynamics and budgets in a winter wheat-maize cropping system in the North China Plain. Field Crops Research, 2003, 83(2): 111–124
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4290(03)00068-6
|
19 |
Cui Z L, Chen X P, Miao Y X, Zhang F S, Sun Q P, Schroder J, Zhang H L, Li J L, Shi L W, Xu J F, Ye Y L, Liu C S, Yang Z P, Zhang Q, Huang S M, Bao D J. On-farm evaluation of the improved soil Nmin-based nitrogen management for summer maize in North China Plain. Agronomy Journal, 2008, 100(3): 517–525
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2007.0194
|
20 |
Cui Z L, Zhang F S, Chen X P, Miao Y X, Li J L, Shi L W, Xu J F, Ye Y L, Liu C S, Yang Z P, Qiang Z, Huang S M, Bao D J. On-farm evaluation of an in-season nitrogen management strategy based on soil Nmin test. Field Crops Research, 2008, 105(1–2): 48–55
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2007.07.008
|
21 |
Cui Z L, Chen X P, Zhang F S. Development of regional nitrogen rate guidelines for intensive cropping systems in China. Agronomy Journal, 2013, 105(5): 1411–1416
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2012.0398
|
22 |
Zhu Z L. The status, problems and countermeasures of nitrogen fertilizer application in China. In: Li Q K, Zhu Z L, Yu T R, eds. Fertilizer issues of sustainable agriculture development in China. Nanjing: Jiangsu Science and Technology Press, 1998
|
23 |
Zhang F S, Wang J Q, Zhang W F, Cui Z L, Ma W Q, Chen X P. Nutrient use efficiencies of major cereal crops in China and measures for improvement. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2008, 45: 915–924 (In Chinese)
|
24 |
Dobermann A. Nutrient use efficiency-measurement and management. In: IFA International Workshop on Fertilizer Best Management Practices. Paris: International Fertilizer Industry Association, 2007
|
25 |
Raun W R, Johnson G V. Improving nitrogen use efficiency for cereal production. Agronomy Journal, 1999, 91(3): 357–363
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1999.00021962009100030001x
|
26 |
Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection. http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2010–02/10/content_1532174.htm, http://www.fao.org/home/en/, 2014-03-07
|
27 |
Liu X J, Ju X T, Zhang Y, He C, Kopsch J, Zhang F S. Nitrogen deposition in agroecosystems in the Beijing area. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2006, 113(1-4): 370–377
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.11.002
|
28 |
He C E, Liu X, Fangmeier A, Zhang F. Quantifying the total airborne nitrogen input into agroecosystems in the North China Plain. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2007, 121(4): 395–400
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.12.016
|
29 |
Shen J L, Tang A H, Liu X J, Fangmeier A, Goulding K T W, Zhang F S. High concentrations and dry deposition of reactive nitrogen species at two sites in the North China Plain. Environmental Pollution, 2009, 157(11): 3106–3113
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.05.016
pmid: 19482395
|
30 |
Zhang Y, Liu X J, Fangmeier A, Goulding K T W, Zhang F S. Nitrogen inputs and isotopes in precipitation in the North China Plain. Atmospheric Environment, 2008, 42(7): 1436–1448
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.11.002
|
31 |
Goulding K W T, Bailey N J, Bradbury N J, Hargreaves P, Howe M, Murphy D V, Poulton P R, Willison T W. Nitrogen deposition and its contribution to nitrogen cycling and associated soil processes. New Phytologist, 1998, 139(1): 49–58
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-8137.1998.00182.x
|
32 |
Fahey T J, Williams C J, Rooney-Varga J N, Cleveland C C, Postek K M, Smith S, Bouldin D R. DBouldin D R. Nitrogen deposition in and around an intensive agricultural district in central New York. Journal of Environmental Quality, 1999, 28(5): 1585–1600
https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1999.00472425002800050025x
|
33 |
Zhang W F, Dou Z X, He P, Ju X T, Powlson D, Chadwick D, Norse D, Lu Y L, Zhang Y, Wu L, Chen X P, Cassman K G, Zhang F S. New technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogenous fertilizer in China. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013, 110(21): 8375–8380
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1210447110
pmid: 23671096
|
34 |
Cassman K G. Ecological intensification of cereal production systems: yield potential, soil quality, and precision agriculture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 1999, 96(11): 5952–5959
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.96.11.5952
pmid: 10339523
|
35 |
Swaminathan M S. An evergreen revolution. Biologist, 2000, 47(2): 85–89
pmid: 11190235
|
36 |
Keating B A, Carberry P S, Bindraban P S, Asseng S, Meinke H, Dixon J. Eco-efficient agriculture: concepts, challenges, and opportunities. Crop Science, 2010, 50(Supplement 1): S-109–S-119
https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2009.10.0594
|
37 |
Carberry P S, Liang W L, Twomlow S, Holzworth D P, Dimes J P, McClelland T, Huth N I, Chen F, Hochman Z, Keating B A. Scope for improved eco-efficiency varies among diverse cropping systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2013, 110(21): 8381–8386
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1208050110
pmid: 23671071
|
38 |
Drinkwater L E, Snapp S S. Nutrients in agroecosystems: rethinking the management paradigm. Advances in Agronomy, 2007, 92: 163–186
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(04)92003-2
|
39 |
Ju X T, Christie P. Calculation of theoretical nitrogen rate for simple nitrogen recommendations in intensive cropping systems: a case study on the North China Plain. Field Crops Research, 2011, 124(3): 450–458
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2011.08.002
|
40 |
Robertson G P, Vitousek P M. Nitrogen in agriculture: balancing the cost of an essential resource. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 2009, 34(1): 97–125
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.environ.032108.105046
|
41 |
Vitousek P M, Naylor R, Crews T, David M B, Drinkwater L E, Holland E, Johnes P J, Katzenberger J, Martinelli L A, Matson P A, Nziguheba G, Ojima D, Palm C A, Robertson G P, Sanchez P A, Townsend A R, Zhang F S. Agriculture. Nutrient imbalances in agricultural development. Science, 2009, 324(5934): 1519–1520
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1170261
pmid: 19541981
|
42 |
Chen X, Zhang F, Romheld V, Horlacher D, Schulz R, Boning-Zilkens M, Wang P, Claupein W. Synchronizing N supply from soil and fertilizer and N demand of winter wheat by an improved Nmin method. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2006, 74(2): 91–98
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-005-1701-9
|
43 |
Li H, Huang G, Meng Q, Ma L, Yuan L, Wang F, Zhang W, Cui Z, Shen J, Chen X, Jiang R, Zhang F. Integrated soil and plant phosphorus management for crop and environment in China. A review. Plant and Soil, 2011, 349(1-2): 157–167
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0909-5
|
44 |
Wang X, Cao Y, Zhang F S, Chen X P. Application of building-up and maintenance approach in agriculture. Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer Science, 1995, 1: 59–63 (in Chinese)
|
45 |
Zhang F S, Cui Z L, Chen X P, Ju X T, Shen J B, Chen Q, Liu X J, Zhang W F, Mi G H, Fan M S, Jiang R F. Integrated nutrient management for food security and environmental quality in china. Advances in Agronomy, 2012, 116: 1–40
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394277-7.00001-4
|
46 |
Cassman K G, Dobermann A, Walters D T. Agroecosystems, nitrogen-use efficiency, and nitrogen management. Ambio, 2002, 31(2): 132–140
pmid: 12078002
|
47 |
Dobermann A, Cassman K G. Cereal area and nitrogen use efficiency are drivers of future nitrogen fertilizer consumption. Science in China. Series C: Life Sciences, 2005, 48: 745–758
|
48 |
Ju X T, Xing G X, Chen X P, Zhang S L, Zhang L J, Liu X J, Cui Z L, Yin B, Christie P, Zhu Z L, Zhang F S. Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2009, 106(9): 3041–3046
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0813417106
pmid: 19223587
|
49 |
Cui Z L, Chen X P, Miao Y X, Li F, Zhang F S, Li J L, Ye Y L, Yang Z P, Zhang Q, Liu C S. On-farm evaluation of winter wheat yield response to residual soil nitrate-N in North China Plain. Agronomy Journal, 2008, 100(6): 1527–1534
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2008.0005
|
50 |
Cui Z L, Zhang F S, Miao Y X, Sun Q P, Li F, Chen X P, Li J L, Ye Y L, Yang Z P, Zhang Q, Liu C S. Soil nitrate-N levels required for high yield maize production in the North China Plain. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 2008, 82(2): 187–196
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-008-9180-4
|
51 |
Ju X T, Liu X J, Zhang F S, Roelcke M. Nitrogen fertilization, soil nitrate accumulation, and policy recommendations in several agricultural regions of China. Ambio, 2004, 33(6): 300–305
pmid: 15387063
|
52 |
Ju X T, Kou C L, Zhang F S, Christie P. Nitrogen balance and groundwater nitrate contamination: comparison among three intensive cropping systems on the North China Plain. Environmental Pollution, 2006, 143(1): 117–125
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.11.005
pmid: 16364521
|
53 |
Cassman K G, Dobermann A, Walters D T, Yang H. Meeting cereal demand while protecting natural resources and improving environmental quality. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 2003, 28(1): 315–358
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.040202.122858
|
54 |
Lobell D B, Cassman K G, Field C B. Crop yield gaps: their importance, magnitudes, and causes. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 2009, 34(1): 179–204
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.environ.041008.093740
|
55 |
Barning R. Economic evaluation of nitrogen application in the North China Plain. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Stuttgart: Hohenheim University, 2008
|
56 |
Huang J K, Hu R F, Cao J M, Rozelle S. Training programs and in-the-field guidance to reduce China's overuse of fertilizer without hurting profitability. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2008, 63(5): 165A–167A
https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.63.5.165A
|
57 |
Shen J B, Cui Z L, Miao Y X, Mi G, Zhang H Y, Fan M S, Zhang C C, Jiang R F, Zhang W F, Li H G, Chen X P, Li X L, Zhang F S. Transforming agriculture in China: from solely high yield to both high yield and high resource use efficiency. Global Food Security, 2013, 2(1): 1–8
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2012.12.004
|
58 |
Cui Z L, Dou Z X, Chen X P, Ju X T, Zhang F S. Managing agricultural nutrients for food security in china: past, present, and future. Agronomy Journal, 2013, 106(1): 191–198
https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2013.0381
|
59 |
Cui Z L, Yue S C, Wang G L, Meng Q F, Wu L, Yang Z P, Zhang Q, Li S Q, Zhang F S, Chen X P. Closing the yield gap could reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions: a case study of maize production in China. Global Change Biology, 2013, 19(8): 2467–2477
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12213
pmid: 23553871
|
60 |
Zhang F S, Chen X P, Vitousek P. Chinese agriculture: an experiment for the world. Nature, 2013, 497(7447): 33–35
https://doi.org/10.1038/497033a
pmid: 23636381
|
61 |
Matson P A, Naylor R, Ortiz-Monasterio I. Integration of environmental, agronomic, and economic aspects of fertilizer management. Science, 1998, 280(5360): 112–115
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.280.5360.112
pmid: 9525856
|
|
Viewed |
|
|
|
Full text
|
|
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
|
Cited |
|
|
|
|
|
Shared |
|
|
|
|
|
Discussed |
|
|
|
|