Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China

Returning straw to the field is the most significant straw utilization technique for China’s green development. It can provide nutrients for crop growth and improve soil organic matter content. However, there are no standard parameters for measuring the nutrient content of straw directly returned to...

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Main Authors: Jingmiao Shao, Chunyu Gao, Patience Afi Seglah, Jie Xie, Li Zhao, Yuyun Bi, Yajing Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/6/1187
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author Jingmiao Shao
Chunyu Gao
Patience Afi Seglah
Jie Xie
Li Zhao
Yuyun Bi
Yajing Wang
author_facet Jingmiao Shao
Chunyu Gao
Patience Afi Seglah
Jie Xie
Li Zhao
Yuyun Bi
Yajing Wang
author_sort Jingmiao Shao
collection DOAJ
description Returning straw to the field is the most significant straw utilization technique for China’s green development. It can provide nutrients for crop growth and improve soil organic matter content. However, there are no standard parameters for measuring the nutrient content of straw directly returned to the field. In addition, the nutrient content of straw in the field is disregarded and the least researched. Therefore, to address these issues, the current research examines the main nutrient composition of straw returned directly to fields and the potential substitution of straw for chemical fertilizers. This study used the latest data on the crop straw-to-grain ratio and straw’s direct return to the field from the Database of Agricultural Crops Straws Resources in China (DACSRC) as the basis for a detailed estimation of the amount of crop straw nutrient resources and straw’s direct return to the field. The straw nutrient resources were measured based on straw yield and the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>), and potassium (K<sub>2</sub>O) contents. The results reveal that the maximum amount of straw returned directly to the fields in China was 517 teragram (Tg), while 128 Tg (25%) of the total was not collected but left on the field. The North China region had an enormous amount of direct straw return at 176 Tg (34%), while South China had the least amount at 26 Tg (5%). The amounts of seasonally available N, P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and K<sub>2</sub>O from straw directly returned to fields are 2 Tg, 1 Tg, and 7 Tg, respectively. In addition, the amount of available straw nutrient resources returned to the field per hectare (ha) was 78 kg. The quantity of straw-originating seasonally available nutrients corresponds to 23% of the chemical fertilizers applied, which can substitute 10% N, 9% P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and 58% K<sub>2</sub>O. The study provides critical insights on effective ways to improve straw fertilization through an increased rate of straw returned directly to fields and releasing seasonal nutrients.
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spelling doaj.art-6f06f9e658294466b5915e2dfdfb31432023-11-18T08:51:33ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722023-06-01136118710.3390/agriculture13061187Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in ChinaJingmiao Shao0Chunyu Gao1Patience Afi Seglah2Jie Xie3Li Zhao4Yuyun Bi5Yajing Wang6Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaInstitute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaReturning straw to the field is the most significant straw utilization technique for China’s green development. It can provide nutrients for crop growth and improve soil organic matter content. However, there are no standard parameters for measuring the nutrient content of straw directly returned to the field. In addition, the nutrient content of straw in the field is disregarded and the least researched. Therefore, to address these issues, the current research examines the main nutrient composition of straw returned directly to fields and the potential substitution of straw for chemical fertilizers. This study used the latest data on the crop straw-to-grain ratio and straw’s direct return to the field from the Database of Agricultural Crops Straws Resources in China (DACSRC) as the basis for a detailed estimation of the amount of crop straw nutrient resources and straw’s direct return to the field. The straw nutrient resources were measured based on straw yield and the nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>), and potassium (K<sub>2</sub>O) contents. The results reveal that the maximum amount of straw returned directly to the fields in China was 517 teragram (Tg), while 128 Tg (25%) of the total was not collected but left on the field. The North China region had an enormous amount of direct straw return at 176 Tg (34%), while South China had the least amount at 26 Tg (5%). The amounts of seasonally available N, P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and K<sub>2</sub>O from straw directly returned to fields are 2 Tg, 1 Tg, and 7 Tg, respectively. In addition, the amount of available straw nutrient resources returned to the field per hectare (ha) was 78 kg. The quantity of straw-originating seasonally available nutrients corresponds to 23% of the chemical fertilizers applied, which can substitute 10% N, 9% P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and 58% K<sub>2</sub>O. The study provides critical insights on effective ways to improve straw fertilization through an increased rate of straw returned directly to fields and releasing seasonal nutrients.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/6/1187direct straw returnin-season effective nutrientsresource amountssubstitution potentialchemical fertilizer
spellingShingle Jingmiao Shao
Chunyu Gao
Patience Afi Seglah
Jie Xie
Li Zhao
Yuyun Bi
Yajing Wang
Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
Agriculture
direct straw return
in-season effective nutrients
resource amounts
substitution potential
chemical fertilizer
title Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
title_full Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
title_fullStr Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
title_short Analysis of the Available Straw Nutrient Resources and Substitution of Chemical Fertilizers with Straw Returned Directly to the Field in China
title_sort analysis of the available straw nutrient resources and substitution of chemical fertilizers with straw returned directly to the field in china
topic direct straw return
in-season effective nutrients
resource amounts
substitution potential
chemical fertilizer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/6/1187
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