Effects of Enclosure on Grassland Ecological and Economic Benefits in Northern China

Grasslands in northern China serve the country as both an ecological barrier and a livestock production base.There,installing enclosures has been becoming the major grassland restoration measure adopted by many local governments.However,the effects of restoration on both ecological and production benefits of grassland remain unclear for implemented grassland restoration policies.Therefore,a representative rangeland in northern China,the Maodeng pasture in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was selected as the study area,and remote sensing monitoring analyses were carried out to quantify the ecological benefits and economic benefits from 2015 to 2021.The results showed that:1) in terms of ecological benefits,the grassland area with a grassland coverage rate of more than 60% accounts for 32.3% of the regional area,and 86.4% of its grassland grew significantly better than the same period in2015,showing a significant improvement in grassland growth.Using the average amount of carbon per unit area as the ecological benefit evaluation index,it increased by 27.1% to 32.48Tg C/yr from 2015 to 2021.2) In terms of economic benefits,both theoretical grass production and livestock carrying capacity increased from 2015 to 2021.Compared to 2015,the theoretical grass production in 2021 increased by 24.8% to 71 900 t.The livestock carrying capacity reached 52 100 sheep units in 2021,nearly 11 000 sheep units more than that in 2015.During the study period,multiple economic indicators(on a per capita basis of permanent residents) for the pastoral area of Xilinhot City to which the Maodeng pasture belongs,have grown steadily.Per capita total income rose from 29 630 yuan(RMB) in2015 to 62 859 yuan(RMB) in 2021.Relying on grassland resources to develop the pastoral ecology also broadens the potential economic development space.Overall,the establishment of the reserve and the experiment of implanting an enclosure policy have had a significant and positive impact on Maodeng pasture’s development from both an ecological and economic perspective.With the support of scientific evidence,enclosure policy can be extended to more than 110 000 km~2 of grasslands in northern China with similar precipitation and temperature conditions,enhancing the productive and ecological potential of grasslands.The above research results will contribute to the scientific formulation of grassland pasture quality improvement plans in northern China.

Integrated assessment of yield,nitrogen use efficiency and ecosystem economic benefits of use of controlled-release and common urea in ratoon rice production

Controlled-release urea(CRU)is commonly used to improve the crop yield and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE).However,few studies have investigated the effects of CRU in the ratoon rice system.Ratoon rice is the practice of obtaining a second harvest from tillers originating from the stubble of the previously harvested main crop.In this study,a 2-year field experiment using a randomized complete block design was conducted to determine the effects of CRU on the yield,NUE,and economic benefits of ratoon rice,including the main crop,to provide a theoretical basis for fertilization of ratoon rice.The experiment included four treatments:(i)no N fertilizer(CK);(ii)traditional practice with 5 applications of urea applied at different crop growth stages by surface broadcasting(FFP);(iii)one-time basal application of CRU(BF1);and(iv)one-time basal application of CRU combined with common urea(BF2).The BF1 and BF2 treatments significantly increased the main crop yield by 17.47 and 15.99%in 2019,and by 17.91 and 16.44%in 2020,respectively,compared with FFP treatment.The BF2 treatment achieved similar yield of the ratoon crop to the FFP treatment,whereas the BF1 treatment significantly increased the yield of the ratoon crop by 14.81%in 2019 and 12.21%in 2020 compared with the FFP treatment.The BF1 and BF2 treatments significantly improved the 2-year apparent N recovery efficiency,agronomic NUE,and partial factor productivity of applied N by 11.47-16.66,27.31-44.49,and 9.23-15.60%,respectively,compared with FFP treatment.The BF1 and BF2 treatments reduced the chalky rice rate and chalkiness of main and ratoon crops relative to the FFP treatment.Furthermore,emergy analysis showed that the production efficiency of the BF treatments was higher than that of the FFP treatment.The BF treatments reduced labor input due to reduced fertilization times and improved the economic benefits of ratoon rice.Compared with the FFP treatment,the BF1 and BF2 treatments increased the net income by 14.21-16.87 and 23.76-25.96%,respectively.Overall,the one-time blending use of CRU and common urea should be encouraged to achieve high yield,high nitrogen use efficiency,and good quality of ratoon rice,which has low labor input and low apparent N loss.

Strategies and Economic Benefit Analysis for Productive Landscape of Rape Flower Sea in Cold Regions

The cold regions are located in high latitudes and cold climates.The local excellent ornamental plant resources are relatively scarce.The plant species that are suitable for both ornamental and productive benefits of landscape of flower sea construction are also even fewer.Therefore,it is imperative to introduce and screen the plant resources suitable for cold regions to create the landscape of flower sea.The rape,an oilseed crop,was used as a research object in order to create a productive flower landscape with both ornamental and economic values in cold regions.Four rape flower varieties,Qingza No.5,7,9,and 11,were introduced from Qinghai Hufeng Agricultural Science and Technology Group Co.,Ltd.They were planted in the experimental practice base of Northeast Agricultural University in three batches.Development characteristics and seed yield of rape flowers on different sowing dates were studied.The fuzzy probability method was used to comprehensively evaluate the varieties.The results showed that the rape flowers grew well in Harbin City during the experimental sowing period,which could form a good landscape of flower sea and had a considerable rapeseed yield.It could be widely used in cold urban and rural areas,such as Harbin City.In view of the experimental results,the strategies of creating a productive landscape of rape flower sea were proposed and the economic benefits were analyzed.It could change the status quo of a uniform landscape of flower sea in cold regions,help the development of rural tourism,and promote local economic income.

Analysis of Economic Benefits Brought by Industrialization of Natural Enemy Insects

In the field of biological control of agricultural and forestry pests,natural enemy insects play an important role,constituting the core of modern integrated pest management(IPM)strategy,providing solid support for the zero growth goal of chemical pesticide use,and helping the sustainable development of green agriculture.The rise of the natural enemy insect industry has become a key driver of the transformation of green agriculture,injecting vitality into the sustainability and ecological protection of agriculture.With the increasing concern about food safety,environmental protection and ecological balance all over the world,the application scope of natural enemy insects as biological control means is constantly expanding.Its unique ecological adaptability and environmentally friendly characteristics help to reduce dependence on chemical pesticides,ensure the safety of agricultural products and maintain ecological diversity.The purpose of this study is to analyze the current situation of natural enemy insect industry,evaluate its cost and benefit,emphasize its great significance in promoting the transformation of green agriculture,improving production efficiency and promoting ecological protection by drawing lessons from foreign successful experiences,and explore an efficient and sustainable new agricultural development model.

Influential Factors on Economic Benefit of Rice Farmers

[Objective] This study was to provide references for the improvement of agricultural economic benefit by analyzing the main factors on influencing the economic benefit of rice farmer. [Method] Field survey was carried out on 300 rice farmers in Suizhou, Wuxue and Xiaogan of Hubei Province. Through the descriptive statistics to the production input and output data of the sample farmers, the econometric model was established to conduct empirical test on the economic benefit of rice farmer and the influential factors. The optimal production scale for rice farmer was also estimated, and through the theoretical and empirical analysis of the optimal production scale, countermeasures were put forward with the aim to promote economic benefit of rice farmer. [Result] The application of fertilizer affected the economic benefit most, followed by the planting area; food policy, farming population and average economic income per capita had significant effects on the economic benefit of rice production; economic benefit was beneficial for cost control. [Conclusion] This study had great practical and instructive significance for stabilizing national food production, ensuring regional and national food safety.

Analysis on Waxy Corn/Soybean Intercropping Pattern and Economic Benefit

The research mainly analyzed effects of waxy corn/soybean intercropping on yields of the two crops, as well as agronomic characters, and the economic benefits of the mode. The results showed that although yields of waxy corn and soybean went down by 21.19% and 31.04% per unit area, land equivalent ratio（1.48） kept higher than 1, suggesting the intercropping improves land use rate. Besides, due to the practice of intercropping, many characters of waxy corn grew, but of soybean declined. The economic benefits from high to low were waxy corn/soybean intercropping, monoculture of waxy corn, and monoculture of soybean.

Effects of Different Planting Patterns on Rice Yield and Economic Benefit

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of cultivation methods on rice yield and economic benefits in the Dongting Lake area. [Method] A field plot experiment was conducted by adopting three different planting patterns of artificial sowing, artificial throwing and mechanical transplanting. [Result] Rice yield of mechanical transplanting was 7.84% and 24.19% higher respectively than that of artificial sowing and artificial throwing. The effective panicles per unit area of mechanical transplanting and artificial throwing were less than that of artificial sowing. On the contrary, grains per spike, 1 000-grain weight and seed setting rate of mechanical transplanting and artificial throwing were less than those of artificial sowing. Mechanical transplanting of rice brought the highest net income 11 779.16 yuan/hm2, which was 1 697.72 and 3 631.84 yuan/hm2 higher than that of artificial throwing and artificial sowing. [Conclusion] Mechanical transplanting could promote rice productivity in Dongting Lake area, and could increase rice yields and economic returns.

Effects of Rice-duck Mutualism on Diseases Insect Pests and Weeds and Economic Benefits

[Objective] Study on the effects of rice-duck mutualism on weeds and insects pests and economic benefits of paddy field. [Method] Comparison of the incidence of weeds, sheath blight and insects pest under rice-duck mutualism, conventional cultivation and control treatment, the yield and economic benefits were analyzed under the 3 treatments. [Result] Average occurrence of weeds in rice-duck mutualism group decreased by 2.33 and 52.0g ind/m^2 compared with that in conventional cultivation and control treatment ; the control rate of mutualism was up to 75% against rice hopper, but just between 25% -60% against rice leaf roller and Chilo suppressalis. The rates of diseased plant and diseased bell against rice sheath blight were higher and disease indices were lower compared with control group. The yield of mutualism group was identical with conventional cultivation, Which was greatly higher than that of control group. The results suggested an higher economic benefits and lower cost benefit ratio for rice-duck mutualism treatment. [Conclusion] Rice-duck mutualism gives birth to a positive effect to control the diseases, insect pests and weeds, as well as to economic benefits, providing basis on extension of rice-duck mutualism system.

Economic Benefits of Rubber Plantations in Longjiang Farm in Hainan by the Application of Optimized Fertilization Formula

The influence of formula fertilization optimization on dry rubber yield and economic benefits of the rubber plantation in Hainan Longjiang Farm were studied by using ＂contrast＂ design method of fertilizer field experiments. The results showed that the actual production rate reached 4.61% and the net production rate of dry rubber reached 3.97% by application of optimized fertilization formula. Analysis of variance showed that the average dry rubber yield in optimization of formula fertil- ization area was significantly higher than that of conventional area. The results also indicated that the optimization of formula fertilization had obvious economic benefits, and each rubber tree reduced cost and increased 9.95 yuan on average after the test.

Study on Environmental and Economic Benefits of Rice and Wheat Rotation with Swine Manure-Straw Returning

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the application effect of swine manure-straw returning and to determine the best mode. [Method] A field experiment under rice and wheat rotation with different swine manure-straw treatments was con- ducted to study the growth characters and output of rice and wheat, calculate the economic benefit and carbon dioxide emission reduction, and analyze the best mode of swine manure applying-straw returning. [Result] The swine manure-straw returning was conducive to the growth of crop, the highest outputs of rice and wheat were on the treatment of ＂30% swine manure and 20% straw and 50% chemical fertiliz- er＂, they were 7 874.57 and 6 427.00 kg/hm^2, and saved cost about 5 146.35 Yuan/hm^2, increased input 5 312.56 and 3 931.93 Yuan/hm^2, the greenhouse gas e- mission reduction was 1.30 t/hm^2 （calculated according to carbon dioxide on a dry basis）. [Conclusion] The treatment of ＂30% swine manure and 20% straw and 50% chemical fertilizer＂ was the best mode of swine manure-straw returning.

Analysis on Survival Rate and Economic Benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Larvae Reared by Raising Water Temperature

In order to control the spawning quality and improve the economic benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, the indoor temperature and light control methods were employed for artificial maturation, spawning and hatching of A. japonicus, and the larval survival rate, disease incidence rate and economic benefit were analyzed. The results showed that compared with those of conventional temperature-reared larvae, the survival rate of raised temperature-reared larvae was increased by 15.8%, the disease incidence rate was reduced by 10.2%, and the economic benefit was improved by 21.6%. These results will provide theoretical basis and technical support for the artificial breeding of A. japonicus.

Effects of “3414” Fertilization Effect Test on the Yield and Economic Benefit of Sagittaria sagittifolia

[Objective] To screen the optimal fertilizer formula, and to lay foundation for the research on special fertilizer for Sagittaria sagittifolia production. [Method] Based on the ＂3414＂ fertilization design, the yield of S. sagittifolia in each treatment was determined, and the effects of N, P and K treatments on the yield and eco- nomic benefit of S. sagittifolia were investigated, obtaining the optimal fertilizer appli- cation ratio. [Result] N, P and K had relatively good effects on the yield of S. sagittifolia. Treatment of N2P2K3 showed the optimal fertilizer application ratio, with the yield of 18 397.80 kg/hm2, yield increasing rate of 104.77%, and net income in- crease of 80 317.35 Yuan/hm2. N fertilizer had the greatest impacts on the yield of S. sagittifolia, followed with K fertilizer; while P fertilizer showed the poorest impacts. [Conclusion] To achieve the highest yield of S. sagittifolia, the fertilizer application was as follows： N of 446.70 kg/hm2, P20 of 568.10 kg/hm2, K2O of 534.90 kg/hm2, when the highest yield was 18 612.75 kg/hm2. Fertilizer application for the optimal economic benefit was N of 420.60 kg/hm2, P2O5 of 70.50 kg/hm2, K2O of 492.15 kg/hm2, when the optimal yield was 18 579.00 kg/hm2.

Study on Environmental Risk and Economic Benefits of Rotation Systems in Farmland of Erhai Lake Basin

This study was designed to find out an optimised planting system of reducing non-point （source） pollution by analyzing the reasons and the factors of influence non-point pollution in farmland of Erhai Lake basin. The results showed that incomes, residual nitrogen in soil, and the loss of nitrogen in surface water in rice-garlic system were higher than those in rice-fava bean system. There were positive correlations between the nitrogen loss of farmland, nitrogen inputs, residual nitrogen in soil, and incomes of farmland. Economic benefits and environment benefits are both appropriate, if the area of rice-garlic system would be reduced to 53% and the area of rice-fava bean system increased to 36% of total cropping area in the investigated watershed. Adjustment of planting structure and introduction of reasonable rotation systems is considered an effective measure of controlling agricultural non-point pollution in watersheds of Erhai Lake.

The coordinated evolution of ecological environment,public service,and tourism economy along the Silk Road Economic Belt,using the Dual-Carbon Targets

Carbon peak and carbon neutrality(dual-carbon)are important targets for the international response to climate change.The Silk Road Economic Belt is a strategic resource region and is important for future ecological environment and tourism development.Based on the“dual-carbon”targets,the Single index quantification,Multiple index synthesis,and Poly-criteria integration evaluation model were used in this study to measure the coordinated development index of the ecological environment,public service,and tourism economy along the Silk Road Economic Belt and to analyze its spatial and temporal evolution.Further,it explores the dynamic evolution and development trend of the three systems using the Kernel Density and Grey Markov Prediction Model.The results show that the coordinated development index along this region needs to be improved during the study period.Furthermore,the coordinated development index of the Southwest region is relatively higher than that of the Northwest region.From the development trend of the three systems,all of them develop in a stable manner;however,the tourism economy system is easily affected by external disturbances.The coordinated development index of the three systems changes dynamically and tends to be in a good state of coordination.There is a certain spatial and temporal heterogeneity.The gravity center of the coordinated development index has been in the Southwest region.During the forecast period,the coordinated development index along this region will improve significantly,while insufficient and unbalanced development will continue.

Ecological and Economic Benefits of Vegetation Management Measures in Citrus Orchards on Red Soils

A three-year experiment was conducted to investigate and compare the economic and ecological benefits of six types of vegetation management measures in citrus orchards of the hilly red soil region of the eastern part of China.Six vegetation treatments,including tillage without herbicide(clean tillage)and no tillage without herbicide(sod culture) and with herbicide paraquat(paraquat),glyphosate(glyphosate),glyphosate-glyphosate-paraquat(G-G-P),and paraquat- paraquat-glyphosate(P-P-G),were applied in the citrus orchards on a clayey red soil with slopes of 8°and 13°and a sandy soil with slope of 25°.The results showed that the sod culture,paraquat,glyphosate,G-G-P,and P-P-G treatments reduced surface runoff by 38.8%,42.5%,18.7%,28.7%,and 37.5%,then the soil-water losses by 55.5%,51.7%,39.9%,46.8%, and 50.0%,and the N,P,and K nutrient losses by 60.3%,50.2%,37.0%,41.8%,and 45.4%,respectively,as compared with the clean tillage treatment.The weed regeneration ratios with the treatments of clean tillage without herbicide,paraquat, glyphosate,G-G-P,and P-P-G were reduced by 55.1%,67.2%,30.3%,36.8%,and 51.2%,respectively,as compared with the sod culture.The sod culture,paraquat,glyphosate,G-G-P,and P-P-G treatments could increase the soil fertility (annual accumulation of N,P,K,and OM)by 7.1%,6.9%,5.3%,6.2%,and 6.6%,respectively,whereas the clean tillage treatment without herbicide reduced soil fertility by 4.4% after the three-year experiment.The citrus fruit yields in the treatments of paraquat,glyphosate,G-G-P,and P-P-G increased by 7%-10%;the soluble solid,total sugar,total acidity,sugar-acid ratio,and single fruit weight of citrus fruits of all treatments except sod culture significantly(P>0.05) exceeded that of the clean tillage treatment.In general,the paraquat treatment showed the best economic and ecological benefits among the six treatments;therefore,it could be regarded as the best available vegetation management measure in citrus orchards of hilly red soil region to retain water and soil,enhance soil fertility,and improve the yield and quality of citrus.

External Costs and Optimum Use of Nitrogen Fertilizer Based on the Balance of Economic and Ecological Benefits in the Paddy Field System of the Dongting Lake Area, China

The external costs and the optimum use of nitrogen fertilizer based on the balance of economic and ecological benefits was studied with the paddy field system of Dongting Lake area, one of the main food production regions in China. The environmental impact was economically evaluated using methods of the environmental impact economical evaluation. The optimum use of nitrogen fertilizer was calculated based on the exterior diseconomy theory and by using the production function model. Both ecological benefits and farmers＇ economic benefits were considered. It was calculated on the data from 2002 that the losses caused by inappropriate utilization of nitrogen fertilizer in the process of food production were fishery, 0.1 × 10^7 RMB yuan; water treatment, 1.02 × 10^8 RMB yuan; tour business, 0.11 ×10^8 RMB yuan, and habitation environment, 0.3 × 10^7 RMB yuan, totally equivalent to 0.41 RMB yuan kg^-1 N. The economically satisfactory and the ecological agronomic nitrogen fertilizer dose for current production was 138 and 137 kg ha^-1, respectively. The research showed that the actual nitrogen fertilizer application amount in the paddy field system of the Dongting Lake area already reached or exceeded the farmers＇ economic satisfaction and the ecological agronomic nitrogen fertilizer dose for current production. An environmental tax is suggested to impose on over-use of nitrogen fertilizer.

Research on Benefit Distribution Mechanism of Farmers’ Specialized Cooperative Economic Organization

On the basis of conducting survey in Jiaonan City,the thesis analyzes benefit distribution mechanism of farmers’ specialized cooperative economic organizations:firstly,the benefit correlation is mainly the contract correlation;secondly,the profit distribution is mainly the dividend;thirdly,patronage refund has many connotations;fourthly,the public accumulation has not yet been quantified to individual;fifthly,the government support capital is ill-defined.Based on these,the measures are put forward in order to improve benefit distribution pattern of farmers’ specialized cooperative economic organizations:firstly,reform structure of property rights and realize farmers’ ownership;secondly,change mode of decision-making,and realize farmers’ control;thirdly,increase turnover rebate and realize farmers’ benefiting;fourthly,quantify public accumulation and government support fund.

Economic Analysis on Protection of Farmers' Benefits Based on Market of Agricultural Means of Production and Agricultural Products

Influenced by many factors,farmers remain very unfavorable position in market transaction and thus fail to ensure their reasonable benefits.In accordance with basic theory of microeconomics,this paper analyzes mutual relation between market of agricultural means of production and agricultural product market,compares economic decisions of agricultural means of production enterprises and agricultural product circulation service providers in monopoly condition and perfect competitive market,expounds influence of monopoly position of agricultural means of production enterprises and agricultural products service providers on economic benefits of farmers,and elaborates weak position and economic damage of farmers in transaction with various economic entities.Through analysis,it further recognizes necessity for protection of farmers'benefits and puts forward corresponding countermeasures:(1)regulating providers of agricultural means of production;(2)strengthening construction of agricultural product market circulation system;(3)improving organization of farmers;(4)setting up and improving production subsidy system of farmers.

Responses of Seed Yield and Economic Benefit of Winter Oilseed Rape(Brassica napus L.) to Different NPK Ratio and Dose

Field experiments were conducted during 2008-2010 to investigate the ef- fects of NPK fertilization on seed yield and economic benefit of a new hybrid cultivar of winter oilseed rape （Brassica napus L.） - Xiangzayou763, and to determine the optimum NPK ratio and dose in Hunan, China. The results showed that NPK ratio （1：0.50：0.50） with 180 kg/hm2 N, 90 kg/hm2 P2O5 and 90 kg/hm2 K20 was the optimum combination for the highest seed yield （2 231.13 kg/hm2） and economic benefit （9 816.97 Yuan/hm2）, of which 1 641.23 Yuan/hm2 being set for fertilizer in- vestment （VCR=4.11）. Besides, the effects of N, P and K fertilizers on seed yield and oil production of winter oilseed rape were not identical. N had the greatest ef- fect on plant growth of winter oilseed rape, followed by P and K. Total leaf number, green leaf number, leaf length and width, rhizome diameter, branch number, dry weight per plant and other agronomic characters in high N treatments were higher than those in low N treatments. By correlation and path analysis of yield components, the contribution rate to seed yield was found： effective silique number per plant〉seed number per silique〉l 000-seed weight.

Study on economic and social benefits of the FRP ocean fishing vessels

Ocean fishing is one of the most important parts of the fishery economy in China. After more than 20 years of development, China has developed into one of the major ocean fishing countries in the world. However, due to the influence of natural laws at home and abroad, China＇s deep-sea fisheries have been faced with difficulties such as rising costs, increasing competition pressure on fishery resources and backward fishery equipment. In recent years, the development of ocean fishing has faced many difficulties. Therefore, this paper analyzes the economic and social benefits of the steel ocean fishing vessel and the glass and steel ocean fishing vessel. It has reached the aim of providing theoretical support for the new development direction of ocean fishing in China. Among them, the economic benefits are mainly compared and analyzed from four aspects of the maintenance fee, depreciation, fuel consumption and operational efficiency. Social benefits are mainly embodied in the aspects of energy saving, emission reduction, increasing consumption and reducing consumption, protecting resources and environment, ensuring the safety of fishermen at sea, optimizing the structure of fishery industry, and promoting standardization of fishing vessels. Through the analysis of these two aspects, the advantage and the obvious gain effect of the FRP ocean fishing vessel are fully proved. The FRP ocean fishing vessels can be realized more quickly by the enterprises built and used. Finally, it can promote the development of ocean FRP Ocean fishing vessels in China.