Dataset Information

A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming.

ABSTRACT: Hundreds of millions of smallholders in emerging countries substantially overuse nitrogen (N) fertilizers, driving local environmental pollution and global climate change. Despite local demonstration-scale successes, widespread mobilization of smallholders to adopt precise N management practices remains a challenge, largely due to associated high costs and complicated sampling and calculations. Here, we propose a long-term steady-state N balance (SSNB) approach without these complications that is suitable for sustainable smallholder farming. The hypothesis underpinning the concept of SSNB is that an intensively cultivated soil-crop system with excessive N inputs and high N losses can be transformed into a steady-state system with minimal losses while maintaining high yields. Based on SSNB, we estimate the optimized N application range across 3,824 crop counties for the three staple crops in China. We evaluated SSNB first in ca. 18,000 researcher-managed on-farm trials followed by testing in on-farm trials with 13,760 smallholders who applied SSNB-optimized N rates under the guidance of local extension staff. Results showed that SSNB could significantly reduce N fertilizer use by 21 to 28% while maintaining or increasing yields by 6 to 7%, compared to current smallholder practices. The SSNB approach could become an effective tool contributing to the global N sustainability of smallholder agriculture.

SUBMITTER: Yin Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8488683 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming.

Yin Yulong Y Zhao Rongfang R Yang Yi Y Meng Qingfeng Q Ying Hao H Cassman Kenneth G KG Cong Wenfeng W Tian Xingshuai X He Kai K Wang Yingcheng Y Cui Zhenling Z Chen Xinping X Zhang Fusuo F

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20210901 39

Hundreds of millions of smallholders in emerging countries substantially overuse nitrogen (N) fertilizers, driving local environmental pollution and global climate change. Despite local demonstration-scale successes, widespread mobilization of smallholders to adopt precise N management practices remains a challenge, largely due to associated high costs and complicated sampling and calculations. Here, we propose a long-term steady-state N balance (SSNB) approach without these complications that i ...[more]

PMID: 34556575

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Dataset Information

A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming.

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A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming.

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