Shandong Province has recently introduced technical guidance aimed at enhancing the fertility of its grain-producing land. The Shandong Provincial Agricultural Technology Extension Center, in collaboration with the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Shandong Agricultural University, has formulated the "Technical Guidance Opinions for Enhancing Grain Field Fertility in Shandong Province." This practical and science-based document outlines a comprehensive approach centered on five key principles to provide essential "nutrients" for the province's cropland, promoting soil quality protection and improvement, ensuring the sustainable use of arable land resources, and strengthening the foundation of Shandong's "grain basket."

The guidance explicitly advocates for a significant increase in the application of organic fertilizers and the implementation of straw return to fields. For farmers, the most pressing questions are how to apply these materials and in what quantities. The document provides tiered recommendations: for fields with low soil organic matter content (below 15g/kg), it suggests applying 400 to 500 kilograms of commercial organic fertilizer or 1,000 to 1,200 kilograms of well-rotted compost per mu. For medium-fertility fields, the recommended amount is reduced to 300 to 400 kilograms of commercial organic fertilizer.

Furthermore, the guidance encourages the practice of crushing corn and wheat straw directly into the soil. This should be combined with the application of decomposition-promoting microbial agents and a small amount of urea to accelerate the breakdown process, transforming the straw into a "natural fertilizer" within the fields. This approach not only helps alleviate soil compaction but also contributes to a green, circular agricultural system.

The document also addresses the issue of soil hardpan formation caused by long-term rotary tillage, which can hinder root penetration and reduce water and nutrient retention. It recommends improving tillage methods by implementing deep plowing or subsoiling every two to four years, reaching a depth of 25 to 40 centimeters. This practice is likened to a "deep therapy" session for compacted soil, allowing the land to "breathe" again and restoring its health and productivity.