Past, present, and future use of phosphorus in Chinese agriculture and its influence on phosphorus losses

• Published in: Ambio Vol. 44; no. Suppl 2; pp. S274 - S285
• Main Authors: Li, Haigang, Liu, Jian, Li, Guohua, Shen, Jianbo, Bergström, Lars, Zhang, Fusuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01-03-2015; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agricultural management; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Agrochemicals; Atmospheric Sciences; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environmental degradation; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use; Feed additives; Feed supplements; Fertilization; Fertilizers; Leaching; Livestock; Markvetenskap; Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap; Phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Physical Geography; Soil analysis; Soil conservation; Soil degradation; Soil fertility; Soil Science; Water quality; Environment; Olsen P; Phosphorus loss; Phosphorus management zone; Crop yield
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209; 1654-7209
• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-015-0633-0

Large inputs of phosphorus (P) in chemical fertilizers and feed supplements since 1978 have improved soil P status in arable land in China, but have also created challenges by increasing P concentrations in manure and exacerbating water quality degradation. Arable land in China can be divided into five management zones based on soil P chemistry, with 15–92 % of arable land having lower P status than the agronomic optimum and 0.3–7.2 % having severe risks of P leaching losses. A scenario analysis of soil P budget and agronomic P demand during 2011–2030 highlighted the great pressure China faces in sustainable P management and the need for drastic changes in current practices. This includes new policies to reduce P supplementation of feed and improved P use efficiency by livestock and programs to expand the adoption of appropriate fertilization, soil conservation, and drainage management practices to minimize P losses.