Well-Facilitated Farmland Projects Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Reduce Environmental Impacts

Strategic Insights -

A recent study in the Huang-Huai-Hai Region, China, has revealed that well-facilitated farmland projects (WFFPs) can significantly improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reduce environmental impacts. Researchers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs collected data from 502 valid questionnaires from WFFPs, covering wheat, maize, and rice production. The findings indicate that WFFPs can improve NUEs by 12.9-19.5% and reduce nitrogen leaching, ammonia emissions, and nitrous oxide emissions by 48.9-56.2%, 37.4-42.9%, and 46.0-66.5%, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The well-facilitated farmland projects (WFFPs) involve sustainable intensification of farmland use and play a crucial role in raising food production in China.
  • The study examined data from 502 valid questionnaires collected from WFFPs in the major grain-producing area, the Huang-Huai-Hai Region (HHHR) in China, covering 429 samples for wheat, 328 for maize, and 122 for rice.
  • Researchers identified gaps in N use efficiency (NUE) and N losses from the production of the three crops between the sampled WFFPs and counties based on statistical data.
  • The results showed that compared to county-level NUEs, the NUEs for wheat (55.2%), maize (52.1%), and rice (50.2%) in the WFFPs were significantly improved (P <0.01).
  • If the N rate is reduced to the WFFP level in each county, the NUEs of the three crops will increase by 12.9-19.5%, and the N leaching, NH, and N emissions will be reduced by 48.9-56.2, 37.4-42.9, and 46.0-66.5%, respectively.
  • The study highlights the potential of efficient N management practices in sustainable intensive farmland to reduce environmental impacts.

Statistics:

  • NUEs for wheat, maize, and rice in the WFFPs were 55.2%, 52.1%, and 50.2%, respectively.
  • N leaching, ammonia, and nitrous oxide emissions will be reduced by 48.9-56.2, 37.4-42.9, and 46.0-66.5%, respectively.
  • If the N rate is reduced to the WFFP level in each county, the NUEs of the three crops will increase by 12.9-19.5%.

Sources:

  • Well-facilitated farmland improves nitrogen use efficiency and reduces environmental impacts in the Huang-Huai-Hai Region, China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2025,24(8):3264-3281.
  • KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.