Promoting grain production through high-standard farmland construction:Evidence in China

Food security is a strategic priority for a country’s economic development.In China,high-standard farmland construction(HSFC)is an important initiative to stabilize grain production and increase grain production capacity.Based on panel data from 31 sample provinces,autonomous regions,and municipalities in China from 2005–2017,this study explored the impact of HSFC on grain yield using the difference-in-differences(DID)method.The results showed that HSFC significantly increased total grain production,which is robust to various checks.HSFC increased grain yield through three potential mechanisms.First,it could increase the grain replanting index.Second,it could effectively reduce yield loss due to droughts and floods.Last,HSFC could strengthen the cultivated land by renovating the low-and medium-yielding fields.Heterogeneity analysis found that the HSFC farmland showed a significant increase in grain yield only in the main grain-producing areas and balanced areas.In addition,HSFC significantly increased the yields of rice,wheat,and maize while leading to a reduction in soybean yields.The findings suggest the government should continue to promote HSFC,improve construction standards,and strictly control the“non-agriculturalization”and“non-coordination”of farmland to increase grain production further.At the same time,market mechanisms should be used to incentivize soybean farming,improve returns and stabilize soybean yields.

Structure and functional heterogeneity of soil microbial communities in different farmland types on the Loess Plateau

Background,aim,and scope Soil microbes are important drivers of nutrient transformation and energy f low.Reclaiming forest land for agricultural use may have profound effects on soil properties and microbial communities.However,the response of soil microbial communities to soil reclamation in the dryland agroecosystem is less understood.Therefore,it is necessary to investigate the changes of soil microbial communities driven by land use conversion to promote nutrient cycling in reclaimed farmland.Materials and methods Based on the metagenomic technique,we evaluated the microbial composition and function of the newly created farmland(NF)after reclamation with two types of traditional farmland(slope farmland(SF),checkdam farmland(CF))on the Loess Plateau,and explored the response of nutrient cycling function to dominant genera and soil properties.Results The results showed that Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Acidobacteria were prevalent in the three types of farmlands.Compared with SF and CF,NF increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Nocardioides,as well as genes related to amino acid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism.The relative abundance of functional genes related to carbon and nitrogen cycling in the NF was higher than that in the traditional farmland(SF and CF).The relative abundance of nutrient cycling functional genes was positively correlated with dominant genera in the three types of farmlands.Except for pH,soil physicochemical factors were negatively correlated with genes related to amino acid metabolism and carbon cycle.Discussion Previous studies have shown that the nutrient conditions of the soil may intensify the competition between the eutrophic and oligotrophic microbial populations.After long-term cultivation and fertilization,the soil properties of traditional farmland were significantly different from those of NF,leading to the differentiation of dominant microbial groups.Microbes usually have functional redundancy to cope with changing environments.Soil microbes in traditional farmland may contain more genes related to replication and repair,cell growth and death,and environmental adaptation in response to disturbances caused by agricultural practices.On the contrary,the NF was less disturbed by agricultural activities,and the soil properties were more similar to forest land,so the carbon and nitrogen cycle function genes were more abundant.The nutrient cycling function was affected by the abundance of microbial dominant groups and soil properties,which may be related to the availability of soil nutrients and agricultural disturbance in different farmlands.Aspects of soil microbial-driven nutrient cycling in agriculture could be regulated in sustainable method.Conclusions The change from forest land to farmland kept more carbon and nitrogen cycling function in the newly created farmland,while long-term agricultural activities have drastically changed the functional structure of traditional farmland,resulting in the nutrient cycling function more concentrated to meet the needs of crop growth.Recommendations and perspectives Hence,it is necessary to apply sustainable agricultural method to regulate microbial-driven nutrient cycling.The insights are meaningful for sustainable agricultural development and land management in arid areas.

Future Development Direction of the Restoration of Mountains,Rivers,Forests,Farmlands,Lakes,and Grasslands and the Faced Problems

In this paper,the definition,connotation,and internal relationship of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes,and grasslands in China are elaborated,and the current situation of ecological restoration projects for mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes,and grasslands was introduced.Moreover,the problems that have arisen in the specific implementation process of pilot projects were analyzed,such as unclear target positioning,inaccurate analysis of ecological problems,insufficient engineering design systematicness,weak operability of evaluation standards,and weak coordination in engineering management.The development direction and major needs for the protection and restoration of mountains,rivers,forests,farmlands,lakes,and grasslands in the future have been proposed from four aspects:theoretical research,engineering design,effect evaluation,and monitoring and supervision.

Research on the Species Diversity of Flower-visiting Syrphidae in the Farmland of Hanzhong Area

[Objective] The aim was to explore the species diversity of flower-visiting Syrphidae in the farmland of Hanzhong area.[Method] Based on the sample collection and the sorting and identification of collected specimens and literature,the species and their seasonal changes of flower-visiting Syrphidae in the agroecosystem of Hanzhong area were systematically analyzed.[Result] 5 015 specimens of Syrphidae were cheaked in this study,and 141 species of 53 genera of 16 families in three subfamilies of flower-visiting species of Syrphidae were identified in farmland of Hanzhong area,in which 65 species were Syrphinae;72 species were Milesiinae;while four species were Microdontinae.The species of Syrphidae in this region were active in April,May,June and July.There were two dominant species in this region,including Episyrphus balteatus and Eristalis tenax.[Conclusion] This study had provided theoretical basis for the studies on the flower-visiting habit and fecundation of insects of Syrphidae in this area.

Flower-visiting Habitus of Three Common Syrphids in Farmland of Hanzhong Area in Early Spring

[Objective] The paper was to study the flower-visiting habitus of three common syrphids in farmland of Hanzhong area in early spring.[Method] The active flower-visiting syrphids in farmland of hanzhong area in early spring was investigated,the annual activity rhythm,flower-visiting behavior,characteristics of mouthparts and their flower-visiting adaptability of three common syrphids were studied.[Result] About 20 species of active flower-visiting syrphids were found in farmland of hanzhong area in early spring,Eristalis tenax （Linnaeus,1758）,Episyrphus balteatus （De Geer,1776） and Eristalis cerealis Fabricius,1805 were predominant species in farmland.These three species could be found in farmland of Hanzhong area almost throughout the year,and they mainly activated on the flowers of rape and composites on the ridge of field in early spring.The activities of these flower-visiting syrphids were important to pollination of rape.The syrphid mouthparts had no structural characters in adaptation to flower-visiting,but the mouthparts were shorter,which was adaptive to visit the flowers with open and shallower corolla.[Conclusion] The results provided theoretical basis for further study on flower-visiting habitus and pollination effect of syrphids.

The Application of MAPGIS in Basic Farmland Protection Plan Mapping

In this study,MAPGIS software was used in production of basic farmland protection plan maps based on the related practice of Jinkong town,Yanting County,Sichuan Province,China.It was proved that MAPGIS software could improve the efficiency of mapping greatly,and resolved technical problems in basic farmland protection plan mapping.

Extension Study on the Use of Slope Farmland in West Region

Based on the research of slope farmland in northern Shaanxi,the extension decision model was set up by the original theory of extenics. The optimal solution is obtained by expanding analysis,provide scientific basis for decision-making and increase the economic benefits to farmers.

Study on specifications of farmland shelterbelt net in Northeastern Plain of China

s: The farmland shelterbelts in Northeastern Plain of China have formed relatively complete net system. The func-tions of shelterbelt net in omnibearing wind check and prevention of frostbite as well as the field of integrated climate effect within shelterbelt net were analyzed, through located observation of meteorological factors. Within the shelterbelt net, the area with more than 10% efficiency of omnibearing wind check was determined as benefited area. The analysis of yield and quality of crops indicated that the sheltering range of shelterbelt net was 25 times tree height. The mature heights of the various varieties of poplar composed the shelterbelts were determined according to their height growth. Based on the comprehensive analysis above, the suitable size of farmland shelterbelt net in Northeastern Plain of China was decided to be 400 m×400 m.

Livelihood Strategy and Farmland Use in Xinping County of Yuanjiang Dry-hot Valley

Methods of participatory rural appraisal and mathematical statistics were adopted to study livelihood diversification, livelihood strategy and farmland use of the four types of farmers in Xinping County of Yuanjiang dry-hot valley with field survey data. The results showed as follows： firstly, as farmers are transforming from pure agriculture to non-agriculture, their agricultural livelihood diversification index will decrease, while non-agricultural livelihood diversification index will increase. In term of livelihood activities, pure agricultural farmers are exclusively engaged in agricultural activities, agricultural-dominant and non-agricultural-dominant farmers are engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural ones, while non-agricultural farmers are basically engaged in off-farm activities. Secondly, as for crops planted, pure agricultural and agricultural-dominant farmers tend to choose those crops with more investment,shorter growth period and higher value, meanwhile non-agricultural-dominant farmers tend to choose crops with less investment, simpler management and longer growth period. Thirdly, to cope with current problems in farming, pure agricultural farmers will adopt measures such as changing planting structure, maintaining or expanding planting scale, increasing planting investment and renting in more land to promote the development of farming; agriculture-dominant farmers will adopt measures such as changing planting structure, reducing planting scale, maintaining planting investment, renting in and taking back the leased land as well as engaging in non-agricultural activities to overcome the difficulties faced; while non-agricultural-dominant farmers will adopt measures such as reducing both planting scale and investment,changing planting structure and engaging in farmland transfer as well as various offfarm activities to avoid livelihood risks.

Carbon Sink Effects in Conversion of Farmland to Forest Project in Karst Drainage Basin——A Case of Hongfenghu Drainage Basin in Guizhou Province

[Objective]Study on carbon sink effects in Conversion of Farmland to Forest Project in Hongfenghu drainage basin in order to provide evidences for assessing carbon sink potential of conversion of farmland to forest in Guizhou Province.[Method]By investigating the implement of Conversion of Farmland to Forest Project in Hongfenghu drainage basin from 2000 to 2006,the carbon sink amount and effect of seven main tree species in the foreat region like Cunninghamia lanceolata,Cryptomeria fortunei,Amygdalus persica,Prunus salicina,Armeniaca vulgaris,Camptotheca acuminate and Catalpa bungei were calculated,based on which the amount of forest carbon sinks in Hongfenghu drainage basin in 2015 was estimated.[Result]Biomass storage and carbon sink amount in middle and young aged forests were increasing over time from 2000 to 2006,which reached 1.05×107 kg by 2006 and would engage more and more potential.Cunninghamia lanceolata has the superior carbon sink capacity in the seven tree species in the research region,of which the amount of carbon sink per unit area will be 106.51 t/hm2 by 2015,followed by Cryptomeria fortunei with the amount of carbon sink per unit area by 99.42 t/hm2.Armeniaca vulgaris has the weakest carbon sink capacity of all the seven species with the amount of 13.03 t/hm2.The total amount of carbon sink in seven tree species was 2.35×107 kg,while the average amount of carbon sink per unit area was 26.17 t/hm2,which could produced economic benefit of 7.17×106 yuan calculated on the price of 305.0 yuan/t or 5.91×106 yuan calculated on the price of 254.1 yuan/t.[Conclusion]Economic benefits of carbon sink effects of Conversion of Farmland to Forest Project in Hongfenghu drainage basin were great with huge appreciation potential.

Effects of Urbanization and Industrialization on Farmland System in Shandong Peninsula

[Objective] The aim was to study the effects of urbanization and industrialization on farmland system in Shandong Peninsula. [Method] In Shandong Peninsula, the effects were studied and analyzed using remote sensing and image interpretation with spatial data analysis and statistic data analysis. [Result] During researching periods in Shandong Peninsula, wasteland area changed from decreasing to increasing; farmland area was declining; orchard and forestry areas were increasing, mainly resulting from political policies and benefits maximization of farmers. Meanwhile, chemical fertilizers and agricultural mechanization are more frequently applied with industrialization and urbanization, leading significant effects on environment, industry and urban. [Conclusion] More policies should be formulated to promote harmonious development of society, economy and environment.

Study on the Major and Trace Elements in Soil of Yunnan Farmland

In order to investigate the distribution of soil available micronutrients, and provide a theoretical basis for management of fertilizing reasonably on crops, the contents of major and trace elements （P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn） in farm- land soil collected from Yunnan Province were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）, the contents and distribution of major and trace elements were also studied. The results showed that the contents of available P, K were balance, available Ca, Mg were deficient, and available Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn were very plentiful. Major and trace elements distribution of different landform areas were obviously different. The contents of trace elements （Fe, Zn and Mn） of central Yunnan Red Plateau were significantly higher than those of Hengduan Mountains in western Yunnan and those of karst plateau in eastern Yunnan. The contents of available P, K, and Ca gradually declined from west to east, while the content of available Cu rose gradually from west to east. The results are reference value to elements determination and agricultural production in farmland soils.

Spatial-Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Limiting Factors of Medium-low Yield Farmland in Tianjin

[Objective] This paper aimed to understand the area change and distribu- tion of medium-low yield farmland, and offered basis to the improvement of mediumlow farmland and its increase of grain production in Tianjin. [Method] Based on the statistical date of Tianjin and its relevant counties and districts, the yield standard was set up to classify high-yield, medium-yield and low-yield farmland in Tianjin. The author analyzed area change of medium-low yield farmland in six agricultural counties and districts （including Jixian County, Wuqing District, Baodi District, Ninghe County, Jinghai County and Dagang district of Binghai New Area） from 1980 to 2010. [Result] The results showed that the average yield of grain rose from 2 445 kg/hm^2 in 1980 to 5 130 kg/hm^2 in 2010, increasing 109.82%. The area of mediumlow yield farmland was reduced from 291 250.13 hm^2 in 1985 to 76 489.87 hm^2 in 2010, coming down 74%. In Tianjin, the area of medium-low yield farmland of 2010 accounted for 19% of the total farmland, of which the ratios of medium-low yield farmland of Jinghai County, Jixian County, Dagang district of Binghai New Area, Wuqing District, Baodi District and Ninghe County were 43.12%, 18.59%, 17.23%, 14.01%, 7.05% and 0, respectively. Low soil nutrient content, drought and water shortage, as well as soil salinization were the main yield limiting factors to mediumlow yield farmland in Tianjin in 2010. [Conclusion] The countermeasures to improve the medium-low yield farmland were proposed, involving enhancing the investment of the government, strengthening the construction of water conservancy infrastructure, further improving the soil fertility, as well as saline and alkaline land, optimizing the farming system and planting drought and salt tolerance crops, etc.

Study on Status quo of Nutrients in Soils of Farmlands in Gonggar County and Related Countermeasures

[Objective] The aim was to analyze nutrients distribution and proportion in soils of farmlands of Gonggar County in Tibet. [Method] According to survey of soils in Tibet, nutrients of farmlands in Gonggar County were analyzed and the countermeasures were proposed to achieve sustainable development of nutrients in soils. [Result] In Gonggar County in Tibet, farmlands with insufficient and less organic matter occupy 58.38%; farmlands with moderate contents of total N occupy 47.71%; farmlands with insufficient and less alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen represent 82.36%; the farmlands with moderate and rich total P take up 49.40% and 21.59% ; farmlands with insufficient and less rapidly available P represent 67.33%; farmlands with richer and rich total K occupy 76.14% ; farmlands with moderate and insufficient rapidly available K represent 72.21%. [Conclusion] Based on nutrients in soils of farmlands, the countermeasures for sustainable utilization of nutrients in farmlands are proposed, including increase of organic fertilizer, soil testing and formulated fertilization and adjustment of acid-base balance.

Establishment of Monitoring and Assessment Index System of Land Degradation of Farmland Ecosystems at Small-scale

The research established land degradation monitoring and assessment in- dex system of farmland ecosystem under influence of human activities, including farming system, measures, mulch residuals, fertilizer pollutions, pesticide pollution, irrigation method, salt content of soils, engineering measures of discharging alkali, agricultural protection forests and poverty. The indices of the system are accessible, and convenient for operation, which is suitable for land managers self-monitoring, re- ducing irrational farming activities, improving farmland productivity and preventing farmland degradation.

春大豆合理播期确定动态知识模型构建

为提高春大豆播种期确定的时效性和准确性,利用农田信息采集系统获取土壤墒情及环境信息,并根据大豆播种进程与适宜环境、土壤墒情同步原理,采用隶属函数方法,将播种农艺要求与播种影响因素间的关系函数化,建立春大豆合理播期确定知识模型;并利用2个不同生态点的气象与土壤温湿度等参数,结合模型决策日期与2年中各地实际播期及出苗情况,对春大豆合理播期确定模型进行了实例验证。结果表明:2021年北15、2022年北14两块试验地播期确定模型输出结果与农田实际播期分别为4月23日、4月24日与5月7日、5月10日,月度误差分别为3.33%和9.68%,模型结果准确率分别为96.67%和90.32%。模型设计结果与当前高产春大豆实际农作制度体现较好的一致性和适用性,可以为农业生产者应用信息化手段确定春大豆播种期提供技术参考。

Division of Farmland Use in East China at County level Based on Landscape Structure and Output Function——a Case of Pingdu City, Shandong Province

[Objective] The aim was to research the relationships among different e- valuation farmland units and conduct division-of farmland use in order to provide scientific references for protection and rational use of farmland at county level. [Method] Using Pingdu City as a case, the research selected land use indices such as farmland use structure, output, geographical location, eta/., and then performed a cluster analysis for farmland use division. [Result] Farmlands in Pingdu can be classified into 4 groups. In groups 1 and 2, it is necessary to strengthen farmland protection, especially for highly-quality farmlands, to guarantee the quantity and quality of local crops. In groups 1 and 3, it is necessary to improve concentration degree and use rate of construction lands and control farmland pollution possibly caused by constructions. In group 4, priority should be given to maintaining diversity of land use patterns, and avoiding aimless farming expansion. [Conclusion] During urbanization process in eastern coastal agricultural regions, it is of importance to prevent fertile farmlands being occupied by construction lands to enhance use rate of construction lands. Furthermore, agricultural non-point pollution should be detected constantly in intensively used farmlands, especially in vegetable fields. Additionally, land use diversity should be well protected by avoiding farmland expansion and im- proving farmland environment.

Balance of Manure and Farmland Load in a Breeding Farm

[Objective] The aim was to research balance between manure of breeding farm and farmland load. [Method] N balance of farmlands after manure fertilized was researched in a hoggery in Beijing （600 base sows and 647 breeding pigs）. [Result] The suitable N input in neighboring farmlands was 191.9 kg/（hm 2 ·y） and the farmland area satisfying balance between growing and breeding was 53.7 hm 2 in the hoggery. [Conclusion] The research provided a scientific method for balance between growing and breeding.

The Scale of Constructing Mountainous Cities in Yunnan Province based on “Benchmark” Farmlands

In 2011, Yunnan provincial committee and government proposed the strat- egy of constructing mountainous cities in order to protect farmlands and guarantee crop safety, which makes full use of hills and gentle-slopes and transforms land use pattern. However, social and economic development performs unevenly in Yun- nan, supplemented by varied geographical conditions, so that constructing mountain- ous cities should proceed as per local conditions. The research proposed the con- trol of constructing mountainous cities provided crop safety under the principle of farmland protection and measured the quantities of demanded construction lands ac- cording to science of population prediction and ekistics, based on which the control scales of constructing mountainous cities were determined by multiplying basic farm- land coefficient and the area of newly increased construction lands. The research is of significance for guiding the construction of mountainous cities and avoiding the occupation of construction lands on farmlands.

Basic Farmland Plan Based on Farmland Gradation

Taking B District in A City as an example, quality classification of basic farmland was evaluated based on farmland gradation. It can be concluded from the analysis that utilization grade of basic farmland in current round was 16.82 without consideration of farmland gradation updating, and the grade enhanced by 0.08, still lower by 0.11 than that in last round, when the updating was taken into account. Finally, the reasons for problems occurred in the round were analyzed as follows： less consideration of protection on basic farmland in orientation of urban development; neglecting of basic farmland quality in Overall Plan of Land Utilization; non-classification of excellent lands after land consolidation; untimely updating of farmland gradation. In addition, the countermeasures were proposed correpondingly, including strengthening of basic farmland quality in the Plan, classification of excellent lands after consolidation, timely updating and inclusion of farmland gradation into ＂one map＂ project.