Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmlands through Combined Fertilizer Use

Strategic Insights -

Scientists at Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, People's Republic of China, have discovered that the extensive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in agriculture is causing serious pollution problems globally. Their research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, highlights the need to reduce fertilizer levels and combine organic and inorganic fertilizers to minimize nitrogen and phosphorus loss. Field plot experiments over 10 consecutive years (2014-2023) compared the effects of conventional fertilization, fertilizer reduction, and combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in wheat-rice double-cropping fields.

Key Takeaways:

  • The use of combined organic and inorganic fertilizers in wheat-rice rotation can ensure crop yield, increase soil nutrient retention, reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss, and maintain soil nutrient balance.
  • Compared to conventional fertilization, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers reduced the average mass concentration of total nitrogen (TN) in runoff water by 10.92%, and total phosphorus (TP) by 7.96% in 2023.
  • The TN contents of wheat and rice treated with the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were reduced by 22.39% and 14.86%, respectively, compared to those with conventional fertilization.
  • The TP losses in wheat and rice treated with the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were reduced by 20.00% and 12.98%, respectively, compared to those with conventional fertilization.
  • The reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus loss were significant in both wheat and rice seasons, indicating the effectiveness of the combined fertilizer application approach.
  • The study suggests that this approach can be a promising solution to mitigate nitrogen and phosphorus loss in farmlands while maintaining crop yield and soil nutrient balance.

Statistics:

  • 10.92% reduction in average mass concentration of total nitrogen in runoff water with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.
  • 7.96% reduction in average mass concentration of total phosphorus in runoff water with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.
  • 22.39% reduction in TN contents of wheat with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.
  • 14.86% reduction in TN contents of rice with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.
  • 20.00% reduction in TP losses in wheat with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.
  • 12.98% reduction in TP losses in rice with combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers compared to conventional fertilization.

Sources:

  • The effects of the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the annual balance of nitrogen and phosphorus in farmlands. Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):35657.