Chinese scientists have developed an environment-friendly chemical fertilizer that can release nutrients in a controlled way for a whole rice growing season, reducing costs for growers.  

Experts with the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Agricultural Sciences said experiments between 2000 and 2002 indicated the fertilizer was cost-effective and environment-friendly and capable of increasing the per-unit yield by 6 percent to 10 percent.

Applying the new fertilizer just once to growing rice is sufficient, saving a lot of trouble for rice growers who would otherwise have to apply traditional fertilizers several times.

Unlike plastic sheets, the wrapping film of the chemical fertilizer is produced from natural material and will not become an environmental problem after use.

Traditionally, rice growers have to apply chemical fertilizers several times during the growth period of rice, and only about 10 percent to 35 percent of the nutrients are absorbed as much is carried away by flowing water to lakes and rivers, causing water pollution.

The experts said the new chemical fertilizer would save fertilizer costs by 825 yuan (nearly US$100) per hectare.

Guangdong would reduce loss of nitrogenous, phosphate and potash fertilizers by 200,000 tons each year if the new product was applied all over the province, the experts said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2003)