Summary
This research defines evidence-based nitrogen surplus benchmarks for China's principal cropping systems to guide pollution control and sustainable nutrient management. The authors report that double cropping systems exhibit approximately twice the nitrogen surplus of single cropping systems, and propose that these benchmarks serve as realistic targets for improving current conventional N management practices when combined with 4R-nutrient stewardship and improved agronomic techniques.
UK applicability
The findings on N surplus benchmarking methodology may be transferable to UK arable and mixed systems, though China's cropping patterns (particularly double cropping intensity) differ substantially from UK practice. The 4R-nutrient stewardship framework referenced is internationally applicable and relevant to UK fertiliser regulation.
Key measures
Nitrogen surplus (N input minus N removal) by cropping system type; N deposition rates; reactive N losses
Outcomes reported
The study established nitrogen surplus benchmarks for major cropping systems in China as targets for sustainable N management. It evaluated how double cropping systems have roughly twice the N surplus of single cropping systems.
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