"A crop of flowers depends entirely on fat." This saying, though metaphorical, reflects the crucial role of nutrients in agricultural productivity. Fertilizer is the most significant input in agricultural production and a key driver for increasing yields, directly impacting the overall economic benefits of farming. Enhancing fertilizer use efficiency is therefore central to achieving sustainable and efficient agriculture. However, in China, excessive use of chemical fertilizers remains a serious issue, with an average utilization rate of only 35%. This not only leads to massive resource waste but also causes environmental pollution, soil degradation, and long-term harm to agricultural ecosystems.
To address these challenges, the Research Center for Agricultural Resources at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been focusing on developing fertilizer-saving technologies. Their efforts are aimed at improving the efficiency of chemical fertilizer use, which is essential for building a resource-conserving society. Their research into sustained-release and controlled-release fertilizers has made meaningful contributions to resolving the tension between China’s agricultural sustainability and its limited natural resources.
In the early 1990s, the research team led by Zong Zongxi began exploring slow-release fertilizers. They developed advanced production and application techniques, which earned them multiple awards, including the Second Prize of Scientific and Technological Progress from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Third Prize of the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and the United Nations China Branch's Star Invention Award. The coating technology and equipment they developed have been patented, marking a major breakthrough in the field.
Over the years, coated slow-release fertilizers have been widely adopted in 13 counties across Hebei Province. Over six years, the average annual yield increase was 13.5%, outperforming traditional compound fertilizers by 8–10%. In wheat, the yield reached 500 kg per mu, while corn yielded 550 kg per mu. For cotton, lint yield increased by 100 kg per mu. Single-application fertilization proved effective across various crops, including watermelon, peaches, celery, strawberries, cabbage, and jujubes, all showing improved yields and quality.
Studies suggest that using coated slow-release fertilizers can increase amino acid content in corn kernels by 3% and boost vitamin levels in fruits and vegetables. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported during trials, and farmers welcomed the product due to its reliability and effectiveness.
In terms of application, this fertilizer simplifies the process: straw is crushed, seeds are sown, fertilizer is applied deeply, and plastic film is covered—all in one step. Traditional multi-step applications are reduced to a single application, cutting operational costs by about 20%. Additionally, water usage decreases by 30% when irrigation is done once, and soil moisture retention improves by 16–19%. Compared to conventional methods, grain yields increase by over 10%, with wheat and corn generating an extra 309 yuan per mu, and cotton adding 224 yuan per mu.
Moreover, integrating blending technology helps achieve both high quality and high efficiency. The development of coated slow-release fertilizers has not only revolutionized the fertilizer industry but also driven innovation in agricultural machinery and fertilization techniques. Currently, the average utilization rates of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers in China are 30–35%, 15–20%, and 35–50%, respectively. With around 18 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer lost annually, the economic and environmental costs are substantial. To address this, adjusting nutrient structures, innovating products, optimizing application techniques, and reforming farming models are critical steps toward enhancing overall fertilizer efficiency and supporting sustainable agricultural growth.
As agricultural technology advances, achieving high-quality and high-yield results no longer relies on a single nutrient or product, but on the synergistic cooperation of multiple nutrients and production factors. This integrated approach is essential for the future of sustainable agriculture in China.
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