Farmer's Adoption of Improved Nitrogen Management Strategies in Maize Production in China: an Experimental Knowledge Training

Jia, Xiangping; Huang, Jikun; Xiang, Cheng; Hou, Linke; Zhang, Fusuo; Chen, Xinping; Cui, Zhenling; Bergmann, Holger

doi:10.1016/s2095-3119(13)60237-3

Cited by 58 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Most farmers in China often overused and applied N fertilizer at the wrong times in intensive cropping systems [12,[51][52][53]. We found that the amount of N applied was the most important limiting management factor for the PFP N gap in 57.4% to 65.8% of all fields (Figure 6b).…”

Section: Effects Of Plant Density and N Application On Yield And Pfp Nmentioning

confidence: 85%

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

et al. 2018

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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.

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Section: Effects Of Plant Density and N Application On Yield And Pfp Nmentioning

confidence: 85%

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

et al. 2018

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“…In our sample, average cultivated land was 0.26 ha only, ranged from 0.03 to 1.67 ha. However, several recent studies with relatively larger farm size samples showed that increase in farm size can reduce N-fertilizer use in maize production (Huang et al, 2012;Jia et al, 2013;Zhou et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, several experimental studies have shown that through the country's public extension system, knowledge training could significantly reduce farmers' N-fertilizer use in maize and wheat production over the year in which the training course is offered (Huang et al, 2012;Jia et al, 2013). These studies, however, provide evidence only of short-term effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding N management, Khanna (2001) found that farmers adopted SSNM technologies sequentially and only partially. More recent empirical evidence from China shows that after farmers in Shandong attended a knowledge training seminar on improved N management, they followed the recommendation of reducing overall fertilizer use in maize production (Jia et al, 2013). Nevertheless, the recommendation of balanced N use -namely, reducing N-fertilizer use in the early vegetative season and increasing N-fertilizer use at later stages -was not followed due to the related increase in labor demand.…”

Section: Experimental Trials Of Training Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of recent empirical studies have verified the effectiveness of knowledge training (of various approaches) on improving the efficiency of N-fertilizer application in China's agricultural production (IRRI, 2012;Hu et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2008Huang et al, , 2012Jia et al, 2013;Peng et al, 2006;Xiang, 2012). For example, some studies show that, compared to a control group of farmers, farmers who partook in participatory training on the appropriate use of N-fertilizer saw their N-fertilizer use decrease by about 15-20 percent in rice production (Hu et al, 2007;Huang et al, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-term reduction of nitrogen fertilizer use through knowledge training in rice production in China

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A B S T R A C TNitrogen (N) fertilizer has been excessively used in China's crop production, resulting in nonpoint pollution and significant greenhouse gas emissions. Previous studies show that farmers can reduce N-fertilizer upon receiving knowledge training. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of this effort in the long term. Based on an experimental study of site-specific nutrient management for rice production in China and a unique household dataset captured over seven years, this study shows that the traditional training approach has not been effective in reducing Chinese farmers' N-fertilizer use. Persistently reducing farmers' excessive use of N-fertilizer in the long term will require intensive in-field guidancesomething that requires substantial investment and institutional innovation.

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Agricultural technical education and agrochemical use by rice farmers in China

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Zhou

et al. 2017

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Using participatory approaches and experimental economic methods, this paper analyzes the impacts of different types of agricultural technical education on farmers' agrochemical use in China. Agricultural technical education is differentiated as training through a short course and additional personal guidance both offered through agricultural extension agencies. Results show that training alone may generate the desired result of reducing fertilizer usage. However, additional personal guidance does not support the intended goal of reducing the application of either fertilizer or pesticide. This study also detects technology diffusion effect in that farmers who are not offered education but are in the same village where the education programs are offered are more likely to change their behavior. Implications of this study call for better supervision and implementation of agricultural extension efforts in China.

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Farmer's Adoption of Improved Nitrogen Management Strategies in Maize Production in China: an Experimental Knowledge Training

Cited by 58 publications

References 21 publications

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

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

Long-term reduction of nitrogen fertilizer use through knowledge training in rice production in China

Agricultural technical education and agrochemical use by rice farmers in China

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