On November 6, 2020, the Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch) traveled to Zhengzhou, Henan Province, to exchange findings from the 2020 nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizer trials with the Science and Technology Small Courtyard of Henan Agricultural University. Both sides engaged in discussions on plans for promoting and applying nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizer products in Henan Province, as well as on the next steps for trial and demonstration programs.

According to Professor Ye Youliang, in addition to China Agricultural University, Henan Agricultural University’s “Science and Technology Small Courtyards” are the earliest established and also among the best-performing. Currently, seven such small courtyards have been set up, located in various regions including Yuzhou, Changge, Linying, Qixian, Xinxiang, and Luanchuan—covering essentially all of Henan Province’s diverse soil types, climatic conditions, and crop-growing practices. In 2020, the Henan Provincial Association for Science and Technology approved 11 new science and technology small courtyards, followed by 20 more in 2021. Through the long-term on-the-ground presence of students at these small courtyards, a seamless integration has been fostered among schools, students, enterprises, government, and farmers, thereby achieving a close synergy between research, education, and industry. Initially, these small courtyards focused on studying nitrogen mechanisms; since 2005, they have centered their work around soil-testing-based fertilization recommendations. They not only collaborate with enterprises for practical applications but also provide technical training support to local governments and have established a special guidance group for scientific fertilization under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

(Professor Ye Youliang and Dr. Wang Yang, Henan Agricultural University)

In conjunction with the nation’s 13th Five-Year Plan, Match nitrogen requirements with soil fertilizer supply. In addition to nitrogen, we are also conducting research on secondary and trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, based on production needs. Professor Ye expressed his hope to engage in more guidance and exchanges with various organizations and institutions, recommending high-quality products to farmers and driving counterfeit and substandard products out of the market.

(Advisor Niu Tianliang, Li Fan, Nitrogen-Containing Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch, China Nitrogen Fertilizer Industry Association)

According to Li Fan from the Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch, since its establishment in 2019, the branch has attracted more than 40 member enterprises, including Shanxi Huaxin, Jinlan Chemical, Sanxi Chemical, Hongxing Chemical, Leixin Chemical, Tianjin Huajing, Guizhou Baitian, Sichuan Sai Rui Chemical, and Tianji Fine Chemical. These members are manufacturers of calcium-magnesium fertilizers, as well as companies engaged in related electronic information services and technological equipment. They enjoy a relatively prominent reputation and influence within their respective fields or regions. Welcoming these enterprises into the branch will help further expand its coverage, enhance its representativeness and influence, broaden its scope of work, strengthen industry connections, and improve its service provision to the sector. Local governments have also expressed their commitment to providing robust support to these enterprises, fostering a favorable development environment, and promoting the healthy growth of the branch.

(Dr. Yue Songhua, Henan Agricultural University)

According to Yue Songhua, since the establishment of the Yuzhou Science and Technology Courtyard in 2012, science and technology courtyards across China have developed rapidly, with the number reaching over 127 by 2019. The Henan Science and Technology Courtyard maintains close collaborations with institutions including China Agricultural University, Zhengzhou University, the Soil and Fertilizer Station of Xuchang City, Xin Lian Xin Group, Ouhua, BASF, and other relevant organizations. Through various channels such as farmer training, field visits, mobile news briefs, WeChat platforms, and websites, the Science and Technology Courtyard promotes advanced and efficient agricultural production technologies. Centered around major crops like wheat, corn, and peanuts, it conducts production surveys, demonstration trials, scientific and technological training, and technical services, exploring comprehensive solutions for crop cultivation. By breaking through the "last-mile" bottleneck in technology dissemination, the courtyard achieves multiple goals—including cultivating talent, increasing farmers' incomes, and enhancing enterprise efficiency—thereby contributing to rural revitalization and green development.

(Dr. Yang Wang, Henan Agricultural University)

Dr. Wang Yang delivered a report titled “Plan for Testing, Demonstration, and Promotion of Nitro-Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizers.” According to the presentation, there has been very little mechanistic research on nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizers, and the existing studies are relatively broad, attracting limited attention from researchers. In 2020, field trials conducted in Henan Province using ammonium nitrate calcium and calcium magnesium nitrate fertilizers on apples and peanuts showed that the application of these nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizer products effectively improved both the yield and quality of apples. Moreover, ammonium nitrate calcium not only significantly boosted peanut yields on acidified soils in Zhumadian but also substantially reduced the incidence of peanut fruit rot in that region.

Finally, both sides discussed the potential for promoting and applying the nitro-calcium-magnesium fertilizer product in Henan Province, as well as the next steps for pilot demonstration programs, laying a solid foundation for further cooperation.

After the meeting, leaders from the Nitrogen Calcium-Magnesium Fertilizer Branch of the China Nitrogen Association visited the Yuzhou Science and Technology Small Courtyard for on-site inspection and guidance. Senior Advisor Niu Tianliang expressed his approval of the field trial standards and protocols adopted by the Henan Science and Technology Small Courtyard, praised the courtyard’s “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” service model, and highly commended its talent-development approach.

(Visit to a 100-mu experimental field to study nitrogen requirements of crops and patterns of soil nitrogen supply in Yuzhou)