Effects of optimum nutrient management on nutrient uptake and utilization of winter wheat in North China Plain

Overuse and unbalanced fertilization is the most important problem for wheat production in North China Plain, and it is one of reasons for low yield and low nutrient use efficiency. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of optimum nutrient management practice(OPT), farmers practice(FP)and a check without fertilization(CK)on wheat yield, nutrient uptake and utilization, and net return of winter wheat production in Henan, Shandong and Hebei Provinces. The results show that the N recovery efficiencies of the OPT treatment in fields with high soil nutrient levels in Shandong and Hebei Provinces are increased by 7.7% and 4.5% respectively, under the reductions of N fertilizer by 5.4% in Shandong and 43.8% in Hebei; While in Henan Province with low soil nutrient level, winter wheat yield and N recovery efficiency are increased by 12.5% and 13.0% under the balanced OPT treatment with only 10% more N fertilizer input. In addition, P and K recovery efficiencies of the OPT treatment are improved as well. Because there are significant variations of soil fertility and nutrient supplying ability among regions, the soil test and target yield management practice is a feasible approach for optimum fertilization.