Imagine turning barren, salty land into fertile rice fields! 🌾 That's exactly what's happening in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where researchers are transforming saline-alkali soils into productive farmland.
\"The soils are transformed and the yield is raised,\" said Yang Jingsong, a researcher at the Institute of Soil Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. After just one year of soil remediation, Yang measured the pH levels of the transformed soils and weighed the rice harvest in an experimental field in Zhaoyuan County.
The results? Absolutely groundbreaking! 🚀 The rice varieties 'Dongdao 122' and 'Tongze 861' yielded over 400 kilograms per mu (a traditional Chinese unit of area), while the unmodified saline-alkali land produced a meager 3.02 kilograms per mu. That's like turning a desert into a cornucopia! 🌟
Since September 2023, multiple methods have been employed to improve the soil, including the use of phosphogypsum and microbial fertilizers. These techniques have dramatically increased the land's productivity, making previously unusable areas into thriving rice paddies.
To put this into perspective, the premier rice-growing area in Wuchang City produces about 500 kilograms per mu of the famous 'Daohuaxiang' rice variety. The transformed saline-alkali soils are now nearing this benchmark, showcasing the incredible potential of these innovative farming methods.
This agricultural revolution not only boosts food production but also offers hope for regions struggling with poor soil conditions. It's a game-changer for food security and sustainable farming! 🎉🌍
Reference(s):
World Food Day: Turning salt-rich soils into fertile soils in China
cgtn.com
