This study verified the feasibility of the Nutrient Expert system in radish fertilization in North China from agronomic, economic, and environmental benefit perspectives. A total of 46 field trials were conducted in the main radish production areas of North China (Tianjin, Shandong, and Beijing) from 2018 to 2019. The results showed that compared to FP, NE significantly reduced the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers by 98, 110, and 47 kg ha-1 respectively, significantly reduced the surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers by 105.1 and 115.1 kg ha-1, and reduced apparent nitrogen loss by 110.8 kg ha-1. Compared to ST, NE significantly reduced the application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers by 48 and 44 kg ha-1. Compared to FP and ST, NE significantly increased radish yield by 2.7 and 2.6 t ha-1, increased economic benefits by 5951 and 3071 yuan per hectare, significantly improved the agronomic efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers by 42.4 and 31.0, 67.4 and 50.9, and 20.3 and 12.3 kg kg-1 respectively, and significantly improved the recovery rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers by 11.4 and 7.0, 14.1 and 7.5, and 11.3 and 6.3 percentage points respectively, significantly enhancing the marginal productivity of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers by 162.9 and 96.8, 488.0 and 327.3, and 86.9 and 22.4 kg kg-1. In summary, the Nutrient Expert system is an effective and feasible recommended fertilization method that can improve nutrient utilization efficiency and reduce environmental risks for radishes in North China.
Researcher He Ping from the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, is the corresponding author of this paper, and Dr. Zhang Jiajia is the first author. This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program (2016FYD0200103) and the basic scientific research business fee project of central-level public welfare scientific research institutions.
Cite the article:
ZHANG Jia-jia, DING Wen-cheng, CUI Rong-zong, LI Ming-yue, Sami ULLAH, HE Ping. 2022. The Nutrient Expert decision support system improves nutrient use efficiency and environmental performance of radish in North China. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 21(5): 1501–1512.
Research Team Introduction
The Plant Nutrition Team led by Researcher He Ping at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, mainly conducts research on soil and crop nutrient management. The team has successively hosted and completed 18 projects, including the National Key Basic Research Program “Reducing Fertilizer Use and Increasing Efficiency for Sustainable Agricultural Utilization”, the National Key Research and Development Program “Fertilizer Nutrient Recommendation Methods and Limitation Standards”, and various National Natural Science Foundation and international cooperation projects. As a major contributor, they have received one second prize and two first prizes and two second prizes for provincial and ministerial scientific advancement, published three monographs, and authored over 110 academic papers, training more than 20 master’s and doctoral students.