The effect of simple nitrogen fertilizer recommendation strategies on product carbon footprint and gross margin of wheat and maize production in the North China Plain

Journal of Environmental Management

Volumn 163, Issue , 2015, Pages 146-154

  Ha, Nan ^a   Feike, Til ^b   Back, Hans ^a   Xiao, Haifeng ^c   Bahrs, Enno ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF HOHENHEIM   (Germany)

^b INSTITUTE FOR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATHOGEN DIAGNOSTICS   (Germany)

^c CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY   (China)

Author keywords

Gross margin; Nitrogen fertilizer recommendation strategies; North China Plain; Product carbon footprint

Indexed keywords

CARBON FOOTPRINT; CROPS; CULTIVATION; DECISION MAKING; FARMS; GLOBAL WARMING; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; GREENHOUSE GASES; LOSSES;

'CURRENT; CROP PRODUCTION; GROSS MARGIN; N FERTILIZERS; NITROGEN FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATION STRATEGY; NORTH CHINA PLAIN; PRODUCT CARBON FOOTPRINTS; RECOMMENDATION STRATEGIES; SIMPLE++; WINTER WHEAT;

NITROGEN FERTILIZERS;

NITROGEN FERTILIZER; FERTILIZER; NITROGEN;

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION; AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT; CARBON FOOTPRINT; COST ANALYSIS; CROP PRODUCTION; DECISION MAKING; FERTILIZER APPLICATION; GLOBAL WARMING; MAIZE; NITROGEN; NUTRIENT LIMITATION; WHEAT; YIELD RESPONSE;

ARTICLE; CARBON FOOTPRINT; CHINA; CROP MANAGEMENT; CROP PRODUCTION; ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING; HOUSEHOLD; MAIZE; NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY; WHEAT; AGRICULTURE; CROP; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND AGING; PROCEDURES;

CHINA; NORTH CHINA PLAIN;

TRITICUM AESTIVUM; ZEA MAYS;

AGRICULTURE; CARBON FOOTPRINT; CHINA; CROPS, AGRICULTURAL; FERTILIZERS; GLOBAL WARMING; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; NITROGEN; TRITICUM; ZEA MAYS;

EID: 84939805220     PISSN: 03014797     EISSN: 10958630     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.08.014     Document Type: Article

References (70)

1. Babcock B.A., Blackmer A.M. The 'Ex-Post' relationship between growing conditions and optimal fertilizer levels. Rev. Agric. Econ. 1994, 16(3):353-362.
2. Bakam I., Balana B.B., Matthews R. Cost-effectiveness analysis of policy instruments for greenhouse gas emission mitigation in the agricultural sector. J. Environ. Manag. 2012, 112:33-44.
3. Below F., Brandau P. How Much Nitrogen does Corn Need? Agronomy Day 2001 Field Presentations, Tour A 2001, from. http://agronomyday.cropsci.illinois.edu/2001/tours/nitrogen-need/.
4. Berntsen J., Petersen B.M., Jacobsen B.H., Olesen J.E., Hutchings N.J. Evaluating nitrogen taxation scenarios using the dynamic whole farm simulation model FASSET. Agric. Syst. 2003, 76:817-839.
5. Brentrup F., Küsters J., Lammel J., Barraclough P., Kuhlmann H. Environmental impact assessment of agricultural production systems using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology II. The application to N fertilizer use in winter wheat production systems. Eur. J. Agron. 2004, 20:265-279.
6. Broad S.T., Lisson S.N., Mendham N.J. Agronomic and gross margin analysis of an insect pest suppressive broccoli cropping system. Agric. Syst. 2009, 102(1-3):41-47.
7. BSI, British Standards Institution Guide to PAS 2050 How to Assess the Carbon Footprint of Goods and Services 2008, British Standards Institution, London.
8. Cao Q., Cui Z.L., Chen X.P., Khosla R., Dao T.H., Miao Y.X. Quantifying spatial variability of indigenous nitrogen supply for precision nitrogen management in small scale farming. Precis. Agric. 2012, 13(1):45-61.
9. Cassman K.G., Dobermann A., Walters D.T. Agroecosystems, nitrogen-use efficiency and nitrogen management. Ambio 2002, 31:132-140.
10. Chen J., Yu Z.R., Ouyang J.L., van Mensvoort M.E.F. Factors affecting soil quality changes in the North China Plain: a case study of Quzhou County. Agric. Syst. 2006, 91:171-188.
11. min method. Nutrient Cycl. Agroecosystem 2006, 74:91-98.
12. Chen J., Huang Y., Tang Y.H. Quantifying economically and ecologically optimum nitrogen rates for rice production in south-eastern China. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2011, 143(3-4):195-204.
13. Chuan L.M., He P., Pampolino M.F., Johnston A.M., Jin J.Y., Xu X.P., Zhao S.C., Qiu S.J., Zhou W. Establishing a scientific basis for fertilizer recommendations for wheat in China: yield response and agronomic efficiency. Field Crops Res. 2013, 140:1-8.
14. Clemens D.R., Weisem S.F., Brown R., Stonehouse D.P., Hume D.J., Swanton C.J. Energy analyses of tillage and herbicide inputs in alternative weed management systems. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 1995, 52:119-128.
15. min test. Field Crops Res. 2008, 105:48-55.
16. Cui Z.L., Zhang F.S., Chen X.P., Dou Z.X., Li J.L. In-season nitrogen management strategy for winter wheat: maximizing yields, minimizing environmental impact in an over-fertilization context. Field Crops Res. 2010, 116(1-2):140-146.
17. European Environment Agency Annual European Union Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2012 and Inventory Report 2014-Submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat 2014, Technical report No. 09/2014. from. http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-union-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2014#tab-data-references.
18. Eyerer P. Software and Database for Balancing of Sustainability. GaBi 2006, Pe International GmbH and University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. fifth ed.
19. Ha N., Feike T., Angenendt E., Xiao H.F., Bahrs E. Impact of farm management diversity on the environmental and economic performance of the wheat-maize cropping system in the North China Plain. Int. J. Agric. Sustain. 2015, (in press). 10.1080/14735903.2015.1004856.
20. Calculation of Emissions from German Agriculture-national Emission Inventory Report (NIR) 2010 for 2008 2010, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Braunschweig. H.D. Haenel (Ed.).
21. Hartmann M., Hediger W., Peter S. Reducing nitrogen losses from agricultural systems - an integrated economic assessment. Schr.Ges. Wirtsch. Soz.Landbaus e.V. 2008, 43:335-344.
22. Hartmann T.E., Yue S., Schulz R., He X., Chen X., Zhang F., Müller T. Yield and N use efficiency of a maize-wheat cropping system as affected by different fertilizer management strategies in a farmer's field of the North China Plain. Field Crops Res. 2015, 174:30-39.
23. HBS, Hebei Bureau of Statistics Hebei Rural Statistical Yearbook 2011, China Statistics Press, Beijing, (in Chinese).
24. HCPB, Handan Commodity Price Bureau Handan state administration of commodity prices from, (accessed 14.01.15.). http://www.hdwjj.gov.cn/Item/Show.asp?m=1&d=372.
25. Herzog F., Prasuhn H., Spiess E., Richner W. Environmental cross-compliance mitigates nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from Swiss agriculture. Environ. Sci. Policy 2008, 11(7):655-668. (in Chinese).
26. Hu R., Yang Z., Kelly P., Huang J Agricultural extension system reform and agent time allocation in China. China Econ. Rev. 2009, 20(2):303-315.
27. Hu X.K., Su F., Ju X.T., Gao B., Oenema O., Christie P., Huang B.X., Jiang R.F., Zhang F.S. Greenhouse gas emissions from a wheat-maize double cropping system with different nitrogen fertilization regimes. Environ. Pollut. 2013, 176:198-207.
28. 2) mitigation potential under various scenarios of nitrogen use efficiency in Chinese croplands. Glob. Change Biol. 2010, 16(11):2958-2970.
29. Huang J., Xiang C., Jia X., Hu R. Impacts of training on farmers' nitrogen use in maize production in Shandong, China. J. Soil Water Conserv. 2012, 67(4):321-327.
30. IMF, International Monetary Fund International monetary fund exchange rates from, (accessed 10.11.14.). http://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/ert/GUI/Pages/CountryDataBase.aspx.
31. IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories 2006, IGES, Hayama.
32. IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Climate Change 2007-The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC 2007, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York.
33. IPCC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Glossary of Terms Used in the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report 2007, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York.
34. ISO, International Organization for Standardization Environmental management - life cycle assessment - principles and framework 2006, EN ISO 14040.
35. Jia X.P., Huang J.K., Xiang C., Hou L.K., Zhang F.S., Chen X.P., Cui Z.L., Bergmann H. Farmer's adoption of improved nitrogen management strategies in Maize production in China: an experimental knowledge training. J. Integr. Agric. 2013, 12:364-373.
36. Jia X.C., Shao L.J., Liu P., Zhao B.Q., Gu L.M., Dong S.T., Bing S.H., Zhang J.W., Zhao B. Effect of different nitrogen and irrigation treatments on yield and nitrate leaching of summer maize (Zea mays L.) under lysimeter conditions. Agric. Water Manag. 2014, 137:92-103.
37. Ju X.T., Christie P. Calculation of theoretical nitrogen rate for simple nitrogen recommendations in intensive cropping systems: a case study on the North China Plain. Field Crops Res. 2011, 124:450-458.
38. Ju X.T., Xing G.X., Chen X.P., Zhang S.L., Zhang L.J., Liu X.J., Zhen C.L., Yin B., Christie P., Zhu Z.L., Zhang F.S. Reducing environmental risk by improving N management in intensive Chinese agricultural systems. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2009, 106(9):3041-3046.
39. Khan S., Hanjra M.A. Sustainable land and water management policies and practices: a pathway to environmental sustainability in large irrigation systems. Land Degrad. Dev. 2008, 19(5):469-487.
40. Kim S., Dale B.E., Jenkins R. Life cycle assessment of corn grain and corn stover in the United States. Int. J. Life Cycle Assess. 2009, 14(2):160-174.
41. Krause H., Arora D. Controlling-kennzahlen-key Performance Indicators 2008, Oldenbourg Verlag, München.
42. Krnjaja V., Mandić V., Lević J., Stanković S., Petrović T., Vasić T., Obradović A. Influence of N-fertilization on Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin levels in winter wheat. Crop Prot. 2015, 67:251-256.
43. KTBL, Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft Betriebsplanung Landwirtschaft 2010/11 Daten fuer die Betriebsplanung in der Landwirtschaft 2010, Darmstadt. 24th ed.
44. Li Y.J., Kahrl F., Pan J.J., Roland-Holst D., Su Y.F., Wilkes A., Xu J.C. Fertilier use patterns in Yunnan Province, China: implications for agricultural and environmental policy. Agric. Syst. 2012, 110:78-89.
45. Li Y., Zhang W.F., Ma L., Huang G.Q., Oenema O., Zhang F.S., Dou Z.X. An analysis of China's fertilizer policies: impacts on the industry, food security, and the environment. J. Environ. Qual. 2014, 42:972-981.
46. Li Z., Hu K., Li B., He M., Zhang J. Evaluation of water and nitrogen use efficiencies in a double cropping system under different integrated management practices based on a model approach. Agric. Water Manag. 2015, 159:19-34.
47. Liang W.L., Carberry P., Wang G.Y., Lü R.H., Lü H.Z., Xia A.P. Quantifying the yield gap in wheat-maize cropping systems of the Hebei Plain, China. Field Crops Res. 2011, 124:180-185.
48. Liu X.J., Ju X.T., Zhang F.S., Pan J.R., Christie P. Nitrogen dynamics and budgets in a winter wheat-maize cropping system in the North Chian Plain. Field Crops Res. 2003, 83:111-124.
49. Liu C.Y., Wang K., Meng S.X., Zheng X.H., Zhou Z.X., Han S.H., Chen D.L., Yang Z.P. Effects of irrigation, fertilization and crop straw management on nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions from a wheat-maize rotation field in northern China. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2011, 140:226-233.
50. 4 fluxes to fertilizer nitrogen addition rates in an irrigated wheat-maize cropping system in northern China. Biogeosciences 2013, 9(2):839-850.
51. Ma W.Q., Li J.H., Ma L., Wang F.H., Sisak I., Cushman G., Zhang F.S. Nitrogen flow and use efficiency in production and utilization of wheat, rice, and maize in China. Agric. Syst. 2008, 99(1):53-63.
52. Ma L., Zhang W.F., Ma W.Q., Velthof G.L., Oenema O., Zhang F.S. An analysis of developments and challenges in nutrient management in China. J. Environ. Qual. 2014, 42:951-961.
53. Meng Q.F., Sun Q.P., Chen X.P., Cui Z.L., Yue S.C., Zhang F.S., Römheld V. Alternative cropping systems for sustainable water and nitrogen use in the North China Plain. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2012, 146:93-102.
54. Nash D., Riffkin P., Harris R., Blackburn A., Nicholson C., McDonald M. Modelling gross margins and potential N exports from cropland in south-eastern Australia. Eur. J. Agron. 2013, 47:23-32.
55. Pan Y., Yu Z.R., Holst J., Doluschitz R. Integrated assessment of cropping patterns under different policy scenarios in Quzhou County, North China Plain. Land Use Policy 2014, 40:131-139.
56. Parry M.L., Rosenzweig C., Iglesias A., Livermore M., Fischer G. Effects of climate change on global food production under SRES emissions and socioeconomic scenarios. Glob. Environ. Change 2004, 14:53-67.
57. Patyk A., Reinhardt G.A. Düngemittel - Energie- und Stoffstrombilanzen 1997, Vieweg, Braunschweig/Wiesbaden, (in German),ISBN: 978-3-663-08015-2,223.
58. Robertson G.P., Vitousek P.M. Nitrogen in agriculture: balancing the cost of an essential resource. Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 2009, 34:97-125.
59. Smil V. Nitrogen in crop production: an account of global flows. Glob. Biogeochem. Cycles 1999, 13:647-662.
60. Snyder C.S., Bruulsema T.W., Jensen T.L., Fixen P.E. Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2009, 133:247-266.
61. Tian S., Wang Y., Ning T., Zhao H., Wang B., Li N., Li Z., Chi S. Greenhouse gas flux and crop productivity after 10 years of reduced and no tillage in a wheat-maize cropping system. PLoS One 2013, 8(9):e73450.
62. Wang T., Watson J. Scenario analysis of China's emissions pathways in the 21st century for low carbon transition. Energy Policy 2010, 38:3537-3546.
63. Xu X.P., He P., Pampolino M.F., Johnston A.M., Qiu S.J., Zhao S.C., Chuan L.M., Zhou W. Fertilizer recommendation for maize in China based on yield response and agronomic efficiency. Field Crops Res. 2014, 157:27-34.
64. Xu L., Tao H., Huang S., Ming B., Wang P. Analysis on the limiting factors to further improve yield of summer maize in Heilongang River Valley. Acta Ecol. Sin. 2013, 33(1):222-228. (in Chinese).
65. Yin G., Gu J., Zhang F., Hao L., Cong P., Liu Z. Maize yield response to water Supply and fertilizer input in a semi-arid environment of Northeast China. PLoS One 2014, 9(1):e86099. 10.1371/journal.pone.0086099.
66. Zhang W., Dou Z., He P., Ju X., Powlson D., Chadwick D., Norse D., Lu Y., Zhang Y., Wu L., Chen X., Cassman K.G., Zhang F. New technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogenous fertilizer in China. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 2013, 110(21):8375-8380.
67. Zhang Y., Li X.B., Song W. Determinants of cropland abandonment at the parcel, household and village levels in mountain areas of China: a multi-level analysis. Land Use Policy 2014, 41:186-192.
68. Zhang X., Wang Q., Xu J., Gilliam F.S., Tremblay N., Li C. In situ nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and ammonia volatilization in maize field fertilized with urea in Huanghuaihai region of Northern China. PLoS One 2015, 10(1):e0115649.
69. Zhao R.F., Chen X.P., Zhang F.S., Zhang H.L., Schroder J., Romheld V. Fertilization and nitrogen balance in a wheat-maize rotation system in North China. Agron. J. 2006, 98(4):938-945.
70. Zhu Z.L. On the methodology of recommendation for the application rate of chemical fertilizer nitrogen to crops. Plant Nutr. Fertil. Sci. 2006, 12(1):1-4. (in Chinese).