Updating the main vegetable fertilization index system for southern China

Here, we established abundance and deficiency indices of soil nutrients and fertilization to generate a reference for the optimum fertilization dosage of the main vegetable crops in southern China under current production conditions. We consolidated 3414 field datasets about the main vegetable crops (leafy vegetables, gourds, legumes) in this region between 2010 and 2013. The nutrient abundance and deficiency index method was used to separate soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium levels into five groups based on relative vegetable yields (range: 50%–95%). Recommended fertilizer dosages were determined by obtaining values for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by fitting optimum dosage against available nutrient content. Required fertilization levels were dependent on soil conditions and crop type. Comparison of the study results showed that available phosphorus and available potassium had significantly improved, whereas alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen in each level was similar.