Abstract
The black soil in northeast China is considered one of the most fertile soils in China. Consequently, the black soil region has become one of the most important regions for cereal grain production in China. Agriculture has developed rapidly since the early part of the nineteenth century. To date, approximately 70 percent of total land in the area is cultivated. Even though the agricultural production in this region is increasing continuously, some soil fertility quality problems have become serious. This is hampering agricultural development and sustainability in the region. A brief history of population growth and agricultural development in the region is presented. Major soil quality problems, particularly soil degradation and soil erosion, are analyzed. Based on studies, suggestions for improving soil quality and for promoting sustainable agricultural development in the region are presented. These suggestions include improving agricultural landscape patterns, developing conservation cultivation, promoting combinations of crop production with combinations of forestry and animal husbandry, and implementing integrated management for soil and water conservation.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chang, S. andXie, J.: 1990, 'Soil and water erosion and its controlling approaches in central area of Heilongjiang province', Heilongjiang Agricultural Sciences 67, 35–58 (in Chinese).
CMA (China Ministry of Agriculture): 1998, Agricultural Statistic Data of China (1997), Beijing, Agricultural Press, p. 510 (in Chinese).
CSSTG (China's Soil System Taxonomy Group): 1991, China's Soil System Taxonomy (The First Schema), Beijing, Science Press, p. 112 (in Chinese).
Ding, C.,Chu, F. andWang, Y.: 1986, 'The effects of different tillage methods on fertilities of black soil', Journal of Soil Sciences 17(7), 61–64 (in Chinese).
Ding, R. andLiu, S.: 1980, 'A study on fertility of black soil after reclamation'. Acta Pedologica Sinica 17(1), 20–32 (in Chinese).
He, W. (ed.): 1992, Soils in Heilongjiang Province, Beijing, Agriculture Press, p. 845 (in Chinese).
HSB (Heilongjiang Statistic Bureau): 1988, Economic Statistic Yearbook of Heilongjiang Province (1988), Beijing, China Statistics Publishing House, p. 779 (in Chinese).
IFSS (Institute of Forestry and Soil Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences): 1980, The Soils in Northeast China, Beijing, Science Press (in Chinese).
IGCAS (Institute of Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences): 1980, The General Comment of China Agricultural Geography, Beijing, Science Press (in Chinese).
LGNEA (Leader Group of National Ecological Agriculture): 1995, 'The investigations on agricultural development and environmental protection in Heilongjiang Province', Eco-Agriculture Research 3(1), 79–80 (in Chinese).
Shang, J.,Suo, Z. andZhang, P.: 1999. 'A case study of ecological agricultural practice in Heilongjiang Province', Territory and Natural Resource Study 81, 41–42 (in Chinese).
Shi, Y.,Kang C.,Zhao, C.,Zhong, L. andShi, Z.: 1985, Arable Land Resources in China, Beijing, Beijing Science and Technology Press, p. 395 (in Chinese).
Song, J.: 1998, 'No impasse for China's development', in T.C. Tso,F. Tuan andM. Faust (eds.), Agriculture in China 1949–2030, Beltsville, IDEALS Inc., p. 773.
Wang, J.,Liu, H. andMeng, K.: 1996, 'Integrated study on agroecosystem structure and function as well as high productive approach in Songhuajiang-Nenjiang Plain of Northeast China', in J. Wang (ed.), Studies on Agroecosystems in Songhuajiang-Nenjiang Plain, Harbin, Harbin Engineering University Press, pp. 1–38 (in Chinese).
Wang, J.,Liu, H. andMeng, K.: 1997, 'Studies on sustainable management strategies of the agroecosystem in Songhuajiang-Nenjiang Plain', in Geography Society of China (ed.), Symposium on Ecosystem Management and Sustainable Development, Beijing, Mapping Press, pp. 92–98 (in Chinese).
Wen, D.: 1981, 'Discussion on shelterbelt construction for Hailun County, Heilongjiang province', Bulletin of the Institute of Forestry and Pedology, Academia Sinica 5, 165–176 (in Chinese).
Wen, D.: 1993, 'Soil erosion and conservation in China', in D. Pimentel (ed.), World Soil Erosion and Conservation, New York, Cambridge University Press, pp. 63–86.
Wen, D.: 2000, 'Studies on agroecosystem mosiac characters in agricultural landscapes', Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 11(suppl.), 107–112 (in Chinese).
Wen, D.,Jao, Z. andJu, P.: 1978, 'The forestry investigation in agricultural area of Hailun County', in Z. Zheng (ed.), The Paper Collection of Integrated Investigations on Natural Resources of Hailun County, Heilongjiang Province, The Hailun Integrated Investigation Team of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin, pp. 115–140 (in Chinese).
Wen, D. andPimentel, D.: 1984, 'Energy inputs in agricultural systems of China', Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 11, 29–35.
Wen, D. andPimentel, D.: 1992, 'Ecological resource management to achieve a productive, sustainable agricultural system in northeast China', Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 41, 215–230.
Wen, D. andPimentel, D.: 1996, 'Seventeenth Century Organic Agriculture in China', in D.G. Bates andS.H. Lees (eds.), Case Studies in Human Ecology, New York, Plenum Press, pp. 311–326.
Wen, D. andPimentel, D.: 1998, 'Agriculture in China: water and energy resources', in T.C. Tso,F. Tuan andM. Faust (eds.), Agriculture in China 1949–2030, Beltsville, IDEALS Inc., pp. 479–497.
Xie, J.: 1991, 'The harmfulness of soil and water erosion and its controlling approaches in black soil region of Heilongjiang province', Bulletin of Soil and Water Conservation 11(5), 61–64 (in Chinese).
Yang, Y.: 1984, Economic Development History of State Farms in Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, Heilongjiang People Press, p. 395 (in Chinese).
Yu, D.,Shen, B. andXie, J.: 1992, 'The soil and water erosion and its control approaches in black soil region of Northeast China', Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 12(2), 25–34 (in Chinese).
Zhao, S.,Li, S. andWang, K.: 1992, 'The present situations and controlling strategies of soil and water conservation in Heilongjiang province', Journal of Soil andWater Conservation 12(3), 58–62 (in Chinese).
Zheng, Z.,Shen, S. andQiao, Q.: 1983, 'The situation and regulation of the agroecosystem of the black soil region', Soil Science 135(1), 54–58.
Zhou, L.,Wu, G.,Wang, S.,Dang, L. andChen, E.: 1983, 'The properties of humic substances in black soils with different cultivation degrees', Bulletin of the Institute of Forestry and Pedology, Academia Sinica 6, 113–120 (in Chinese).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wen, D., Liang, W. Soil Fertility Quality and Agricultural Sustainable Development in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China. Environment, Development and Sustainability 3, 31–43 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011480228613
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011480228613