Annual nutrient balance and soil chemical properties in heavy multiple cropping system in the coastal area of Southeast Lake Dianchi, Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

To ensure higher yields, farmers in China have increased cropping intensity with a large input of chemical fertilizer and livestock manure since 1980s, which has led to unsustainable agricultural productivity and environmental quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intensive cropping on nutrient absorption and biomass production of crops and to determine the controllable source of residual nutrients in soil in the coastal area of Lake Dianchi, China. Soil and crops were sampled in 32 vegetable fields and four paddy fields; and simultaneously surveyed. In vegetable fields, cropping intensity and input to each crop were extremely high; and, 58, 72, and 20% of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were not absorbed by the crop. Nitrogen absorption ratios of the vegetables were low. The amount of nitrogen absorbed from sources other than chemical fertilizer by vegetables, namely, from soil, manure, or irrigation water, in the fields with three to nine years cultivation duration was higher than those with zero to two years cultivation duration. Reduction of input should be more efficient than enhancing output to decrease soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; and, reducing input of chemical fertilizer should be more efficient than reducing input of manure. These results should be helpful for reducing agricultural pollution in China.