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Potential of animal manure in replacing chemical fertilizers for fruit, vegetable, and tea production in China
Received:September 28, 2018  
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KeyWord:fruits;vegetables;tea;livestock and poultry manures;nutrients;chemical fertilizers
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
AN Si-yu State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China  
LI Yan-xia State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China liyxbnu@bnu.edu.cn 
ZHANG Xue-lian Beijing Soil and Fertilizer Extension Service Station, Beijing 100029, China  
LIU Xiao-bing Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China  
CHEN Xing-cai State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China  
TONG Xin State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China  
HU Bai-yang State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China  
LIU Ke-feng Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China  
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Abstract:
      In order to estimate the replacement potential of chemical fertilizers with animal manure for fruit, vegetable, and tea production in China, we calculated the nutrient level of animal manure and the theoretical nutrient demands of plants. Thereafter, we analyzed the supply and demand balance on a national and regional scale. According to statistical data from 2015, the quantity of chemical nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (in the form of P2O5) applied on fruits, vegetables and tea was 1.84×107 t (N=1.12×107 t; P2O5=7.18×106 t), twice the theoretical demands. Meanwhile, animal manure contained 7.98×106 t of N and 6.42×106 t of P2O5, an amount which could replace 78% of chemical fertilizers and reduce nutrient losses by 2.88×106~5.18×106 t. We calculated that 71% of the Chinese provinces could replace 50% of presently used chemical fertilizers with animal manure; the percentage of provinces increases up to 90% considering a chemical fertilizer replacement of 20%. Excluding the Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong, and Shaanxi provinces, all other Chinese provinces could replace 100% of the chemical fertilizers presently used for their fruit, vegetable and tea production, with animal manure. Furthermore, animal manure exceeded the demands in the northeastern and northwestern regions; hence, these areas could answer the nutrient demands of local plantations, as well as those of other regions. This study provides new scientific bases for policy decisions, encouraging a sensible reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers in China.