Five key factors constrain fertilizer innovation in China

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Five factors restricting fertilizer innovation in China Author/Source: China Agri-Materials Network Date: 10-11-2018 Clicks: 55 The goals for fertilization have changed. After 2007, **’s grain production remained stable at over 400 kilograms per person; in the past two years it has adjusted from 621 million tons in 2015 to 616 million tons in the same year. Food and fertilizers are closely related; when high food production is no longer the primary goal, the objectives for fertilizers also change. 　　Five key factors constrain fertilizer innovation in China: changes in the supply and demand landscape. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, efforts have been made to develop the fertilizer industry, and by 2005, China’s fertilizer production had exceeded demand. Therefore, fertilizer growth has been declining. 　　The method of application has changed. In the past, fertilizer application was mainly done manually; nowadays, there are methods such as mechanical fertilization, automatic fertilization, and integrated water-fertilizer systems. These different methods have varying requirements regarding fertilizers, and using traditional methods will not meet these technical requirements. 　　The negative effects of fertilizers are becoming evident. For example, the fog problem in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. According to measurements, approximately 9.67 million tons of NH3 are emitted into the atmosphere each year from agricultural sources. Per unit area, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei has the highest number of atoms emitted per square meter-kilometer. These data further illustrate the severe impact of chemical fertilizers on the atmosphere. Improving crop yields or enhancing the efficiency of fertilizers through improved fertilizers represents a viable path for fertilizer innovation at present. 　　Fertilizer technology innovation Nutrient concentration innovation. Fertilizer pollution is generally caused by its secondary components. In the fertilizer production process, reducing by-products can minimize pollution and achieve clean production. 　　Innovation in nutrient ratios. Our country has been practicing soil testing and formula fertilization since 2005, focusing mainly on major elements. So, what is the ratio between major elements and medium/trace elements, and between major elements and trace elements? This requires thought. 　　Innovation in nutrient forms. By adding nutrients in different forms to the fertilizer, crop transformation and absorption are promoted, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the fertilizer. 　　Innovation in fertilizer additives. Fertilizer additives are divided into three main categories: the first is additives that improve the physical properties of fertilizers, such as moisture-proof and anti-caking agents ； The second are additives that improve soil nutrients, such as nitrification inhibitors and urease inhibitors ； Third are biostimulants, including microbial preparations and extracts, hydrolyzed and digested animal residues, humic and fulvic acids, seaweed and plant extracts, as well as inorganic and synthetic products. 　　Innovation in agrochemical services Crop adaptability: Nutrients have a similar effect on higher plants, but not all crops respond in the same way to the additives present in fertilizers. 　　Soil adaptability: For field crops, fertilization is not done in hydroponics, so it is not necessary to add all nutrient elements. 　　Adaptability to secondary components: Taking ammonium sulfate as an example, 80% of the soils in the Northeast lack sulfur; by using ammonium sulfate in this region, it is possible to supply not only nitrogen but also sulfur. 　　If you want to know which type of fertilizer is needed for different crops in different soils, agricultural chemical services such as soil testing-based fertilization planning are required. Two levels were determined through experiments: the maximum amount of fertilizer required by the crops ； Maximum soil nutrient test value when fertilization is ineffective. Intermediate linear calculation: That is, the application rate is determined linearly between the initial application rate and the maximum application rate, based on the soil nutrient test results. 　　At present, malicious promotion of concepts, excessive exaggeration of fertilizer functions, insufficient in-depth research on mechanisms, inadequate innovation capabilities of enterprises, and overly stringent fertilizer standards are important factors affecting fertilizer innovation in China.