Similar articles

Abstract: This work analyses the potential role of nitrogen pollution technology of crop systems of Pujiang, County in Eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, rice and vegetables are important cropping systems. We used a case study approach involving comparison of farmer practices and improved technologies. This approach allows assessing the impact of technology on pollution, is forward looking, and can yield information on the potential of on-the-shelf technology and provide opportunities for technology development. The approach particularly suits newly developed rice technologies with large potential of reducing nitrogen pollution and for future rice and vegetables technologies. The results showed that substantial reductions in nitrogen pollution are feasible for both types of crops.

[1] Babcock, B.A., 1992. The effects of uncertainty on optimal nitrogen applications. Review of Agricultural Economics, 14(2):271-280.

[2] Babcock, B.A., Blackmer, A.M., 1994. The ex post relationship between growing conditions and optimal fertilizer levels. Review of Agricultural Economics, 16(3):353-362.

[3] Dawe, D., 2002. The changing structure of the world rice market, 1950−2000. Food Policy, 27(4):355-370.

[4] Ellis, E.C., Wang, S.M., 1997. Sustainable traditional agriculture in the tai lake region in China. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 61(2-3):177-193.

[5] Fan, S.G., 2000. Research investment and the economic returns to Chinese agricultural research. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 14(2):163-182.

[6] Fan, S.G., Pardey, P.G., 1997. Research, productivity, and output growth in Chinese agriculture. Journal of Development Economics, 53(1):115-137.

[7] Fang, B., 2004. Technical Coefficients of Agricultural Systems Generated through TechnoGIN Model: A Case Study for Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province. PhD Thesis, Zhejiang University, China (in Chinese).

[8] FAO, 2004. FAOSTAT. http://apps.fao.org.

[9] Fischer, K.S., 1998. Toward increasing nutrient-use efficiency in rice cropping systems: the next generation of technology. Field Crops Research, 56(1-2):1-6.

[10] Härdter, R., Fairhurst, T., 2003. Nutrient Use Efficiency in Upland Cropping Systems of Asia. Proceedings of the 2003 IFA Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific. Cheju Island, Korea.

[11] Hengsdijk, H., van Ittersum, M.K., 2003. Formalizing agro-ecological engineering for future-oriented land use studies. European Journal of Agronomy, 19(4):549-562.

[12] Huang, J., Rozelle, S., 1996. Technological change: rediscovering the engine of productivity growth in China’s rural economy. Journal of Development Economics, 49:337-369.

[13] Luijkx, T., 2002. Troubled Water. Agricultural Non-Point Pollution in the Catchment Area of Taihu Lake. MSc Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen.

[14] NIES, 1996. An Analysis of the Pollution Load of the Taihu Area. The Nanjing Environmental Science Institute under the National Environment Protection Bureau (NEPB), Nanjing.

[15] Peng, S., Garcia, F.V., Laza, R.C., Sanico, A.L., Visperas, R.M., Cassman, K.G., 1996. Increased N-use efficiency using a chlorophyll meter on high-yielding irrigated rice. Field Crops Research, 47(2-3):243-252.

[16] People’s Daily Online, 2004a. China Clears Development Zones to Make Way for Grain Production, June 25. http://english.people.com.cn/200406/25/eng20040625_147568.html.

[17] People’s Daily Online, 2004b. China Revives Farmers’ Enthusiasm for Grain Production, June 23. http://english.people.com.cn/200406/25/eng20040623_147295.html.

[18] People’s Daily Online, 2004c. China’s Grain Production This Year Expected to Exceed 455 Billion Kg, November 9. http://english.people.com.cn/200406/25/eng20041109_163226.html.

[19] Ponsioen, T.C., Laborte, A.G., Roetter, R.P., Hengsdijk, H., Wolf, J., 2003. TechnoGIN-3: A Technical Coefficient Generator for Cropping Systems in Eats and Southeast Asia. Quantitative Approaches in Systems Analysis 26. Wageningen, the Netherlands, p.69.

[20] Ponsioen, T.C., Hengsdijk, H., Wolf, J., van Ittersum, M.K., Rötter, R.P., Son, T.T., Laborte, A.G., 2005. TechnoGIN, a tool for exploring and evaluating resource use efficiency of cropping systems in east and southeast Asia. Agricultural Systems, in Press.

[21] Sheldrick, W.F., Syers, J.K., Lingard, J., 2003. Soil nutrient audits for China to estimate nutrient balances and output/input relationships. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, 94(3):341-354.

[22] Smil, V., 1998. Food, Energy, and the Environment: Implications for Asia’s Rice Agriculture. In: Dowling, N.G., Greenfield, S.M., Fischer, K.S. (Eds.), Sustainability of Rice in the Global Food System. Pacific Basin Study Center and International Rice Research Institute, Davis (USA) and Manila (Philippines), p.321-334.

[23] Wang, G., Dobermann, A., Witt, C., Su, Q., Fu, R., Simbahan, R., Adviento, M.A.A., 2001. Reducing the Gap between Attainable and Potential Yield in Double Rice-Cropping Systems of Zhejiang Province, China. In: Peng, S., Hardy, B. (Eds.), Rice Research for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation. Proceedings of the International Rice Research Conference. International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines, p.479-487.

[24] Wang, G., Fu, R., Huang, X., Ding, X., Wu, J., He, Y., Dobermann, A., Witt, C., 2004. Site-Sprecific Nutrient Management in Irrigated Rice Systems of Zhejiang Province, China. In: Dobermann, A., Witt, C., Dawe, D. (Eds.), Increasing Productivity of Intensive Rice Systems through Site-Specific Nutrient Management. Science Publishers, Inc. and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), IEnfield, N.H. (USA) and Los Baños (Philippines), p.243-263.

[25] Widawsky, D., Rozelle, S., Jin, S., Huang, J., 1998. Pesticide productivity, host-plant resistance and productivity in China. Agricultural Economics, 19(1-2):203-217.

[26] Zhang, W.L., Tian, Z.X., Zhang, N., Li, X.Q., 1996. Nitrate pollution of groundwater in northern China. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 59(3):223-231.

[27] Zhejiang Statistic Bureau, 2001. Rural Statistic Yearbook of Zhejiang. Chinese Statistic Press, Beijing.

[28] Zhejiang Statistic Bureau, 2002. Statistic Yearbook of Zhejiang. Chinese Statistic Press, Beijing.

[29] Zhu, Z.L., Chen, D.L., 2002. Nitrogen fertilizer use in China−Contributions to food production, impacts on the environment and best management strategies. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 63(2-3):117-127.