Factors Affecting Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Summer Maize on Smallholder Farms in the North China Plain

Guangfeng Chen, Hongzhu Cao, Jun Liang, Wenqi Ma, Lufang Guo, Shuhua Zhang, Rongfeng Jiang, Hongyan Zhang, Keith W. T. Goulding and Fusuo Zhang
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Guangfeng Chen: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Hongzhu Cao: College of Resources and Environment Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, Hebei, China
Jun Liang: Agricultural Bureau of Laoling County, Dezhou 253600, Shandong, China
Wenqi Ma: College of Resources and Environment Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, Hebei, China
Lufang Guo: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Shuhua Zhang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Rongfeng Jiang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Hongyan Zhang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Keith W. T. Goulding: Department of Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
Fusuo Zhang: College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: The summer maize yields and partial factor productivity of nitrogen (N) fertilizer (PFP N , grain yield per unit N fertilizer) on smallholder farms in China are low, and differ between farms due to complex, sub-optimal management practices. We collected data on management practices and yields from smallholder farms in three major summer maize-producing sites—Laoling, Quzhou and Xushui—in the North China Plain (NCP) for two growing seasons, during 2015–2016. Boundary line analysis and a Proc Mixed Model were used to evaluate the contribution of individual factors and their interactions. Summer maize grain yields and PFP N ranged from 6.6 t ha −1 to 14.2 t ha −1 and 15.4 kg kg −1 to 96.1 kg kg −1 , respectively, and averaged 10.5 t ha −1 and 49.1 kg kg −1 , respectively. The mean total yield gap and PFP N gap were 3.6 t ha −1 and 43.3 kg kg −1 in Laoling, 2.2 t ha −1 and 24.5 kg kg −1 in Xushui, and 2.8 t ha −1 and 41.1 kg kg −1 in Quzhou. A positive correlation was observed between the yield gap and PFP N gap; the PFP N gap could be reduced by 6.0 kg kg −1 (3.6–6.6 kg kg −1 ) by reducing the yield gap by 1 t ha −1 . The high yield and high PFP N (HH) fields had a higher plant density and lower N fertilization rate than the low yield and low PFP N (LL) fields. Our results show that multiple management factors caused the yield gap, but the relative contribution of plant density is slightly higher than that of other management practices, such as N input, the sowing date, and potassium fertilizer input. The low PFP N was mainly attributed to an over-application of N fertilizer. To enhance the sustainable production of summer maize, the production gaps should be tackled through programs that guide smallholder farmers on the adoption of optimal management practices.

Keywords: summer maize; production constraints; sustainable; North China Plain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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