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Towards Sustainable Management of Mineral Fertilizers in China: An Integrative Analysis and Review

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  • Xiaomin Yu

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Schwerzstr. 42, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Haigang Li

    (College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China)

  • Reiner Doluschitz

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Hohenheim, Schwerzstr. 42, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

China has not only successfully fed 20% of the world’s population using only 9% of the world’s arable land; it has also become the world’s largest producer of various agricultural products. The widespread application of mineral fertilizers played a critical role in accomplishing this achievement. In this study, we conducted an integrative analysis of China’s mineral fertilizers over the last six decades from multiple perspectives—domestic production, consumption and international trade at national and international levels, and the agricultural use of fertilizers at a regional level. In addition, we quantitatively estimated fertilizer nutrient surpluses for 30 provinces in mainland China for the time period spanning from 1987 to 2018 and integrated the results as a reference to the evaluation of the implementation of the Zero Growth Action Plan regulating fertilizer use by 2020. We concluded that by 2019, 83% and 93% of the provinces had already achieved zero growth in fertilizer use and fertilizer nutrient surpluses, respectively. This shows promising potential for China in finalising the Zero Growth Action Plan of Fertilizers nationwide by 2020.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaomin Yu & Haigang Li & Reiner Doluschitz, 2020. "Towards Sustainable Management of Mineral Fertilizers in China: An Integrative Analysis and Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:7028-:d:405605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiongsheng Yu & Yong Liu & Mu Zhang & Shaoying Ai & Rongping Wang & Li’an Zhu & Huihua Zhang & Ting Li & Yaqi Zhu & Chao Tu & Qihao Yang & Zili Zhang & Minglong Liu, 2021. "Coupled Effects of Reduced Chemical Fertilization and Biochar Supplementation on Availability and Transformations of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Vegetable Farmland Soil: An In Situ Study in Southern Ch," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Zhongfang Zhang & Lijun Hou & Yuhao Qian & Xing Wan, 2022. "Effect of Zero Growth of Fertilizer Action on Ecological Efficiency of Grain Production in China under the Background of Carbon Emission Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Gutiérrez-Moya, Ester & Lozano, Sebastián & Adenso-Díaz, Belarmino, 2023. "A pre-pandemic analysis of the global fertiliser trade network," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
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    5. He Huang & Yong Zhou & Yu-Jie Liu & Liang Xiao & Ke Li & Meng-Yao Li & Yang Tian & Fei Wu, 2021. "Source Apportionment and Ecological Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Cultivated Soils of Xiangzhou, China: A Combined Approach of Geographic Information System and Random Forest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, January.

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