Effects of Nutrient Expert system on yield and economic benefits of winter wheat in the dryland of Northwest China

Objectives  The effect of recommended fertilizer application for wheat production based on Nutrient Expert (NE) system was studied in the Weibei dryland area of Shaanxi Province. The study aim was to test the applicability of the recommended fertilization method in the dryland wheat production area.

Methods  We conducted fifteen winter wheat field trials over two years. Soil samples (0–100 cm depth) were collected to determined nitrate N content before planting. The treatments included farmers’ practice (FP, fertilization according to the local farmers as the control) and fertilization regime according to NE. Wheat yield, fertilizer input and economic benefits of winter wheat production in the study area were investigated. Also, we determined the content of N, P, and K in the wheat plants.

Results  The average nutrient input of the NE treatment was N 158 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 62 kg/hm², and K₂O 40 kg/hm². The corresponding values recorded in the FP treatment were N 192 kg/hm², P₂O₅ 134 kg/hm² and K₂O 28 kg/hm². The N and P₂O₅ inputs of NE were 18% and 54% less than those in FP, while the K₂O input was 43% higher in the former than the latter. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the average grain yield and nitrate N residue between NE and FP. However, the economic benefit was significantly increased by 7.8%, PFP of N fertilizer increased by 25.1%, and PFP of P fertilizer increased by 139.8%.

Conclusions  Compared with fertilization according to the local farmers, the recommending fertilization based on the NE system is suitable for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus application rates by 18% and 54% and increasing potassium application rates by 43% , keeps stable wheat yield, and effectively improves the efficiency of fertilization and economic benefits. This result suggests that the NE system is applicable for fertilization of winter wheat in dryland areas.