A research team of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has concluded field inspections of pioneering soil conservation methods across three key demonstration zones in Northeast China, aiming to tackle the severe degradation of the region's vital carbon-rich black soils.
From July 11th to 12th, Research Professor CHEN Xin, leader of the national key research project "Development and Demonstration of Conservation Tillage Key Techniques for Dryland Black Soil Preservation," led a delegation to inspect core demonstration sites in Nong'an County (Jilin), Tongliao City (Inner Mongolia), and Changtu County (Liaoning). The team, comprising over 20 members including project consultants such as Professor MA Shouyi from the Heilongjiang State Farms Academy, Professor WANG Dawei from the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Task 2 Leader), and Senior Engineer AO Man from the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, CAS (Task 5 Leader), focused on ensuring the efficient implementation and targeted application of conservation tillage techniques crucial for reversing soil fertility loss.
The inspections addressed distinct regional challenges. In Nong'an, plagued by poor soil moisture-temperature coupling and limited nutrient availability, the team assessed techniques like straw-matching strip tillage and chopped straw strip tillage to control erosion and regulate soil conditions. They also provided on-site guidance for matching sowing techniques and farm machinery. The Tongliao site, facing severe wind erosion, drought, and poor water retention, saw evaluations of high-stubble straw mulching for its effectiveness in windbreak creation and soil moisture conservation. In Changtu, confronting issues of poor soil structure, weak water-holding capacity, and low fertility, the team examined methods including straw mulching for fertility enhancement, deep loosening at the seedling stage, and varied row spacing planting. Discussions centered on soil conservation within a corn-soybean strip intercropping system. The team also visited the Changtu Experiment Station exhibition hall to review local soil protection and improvement measures.
Beyond technical evaluations, the team meticulously documented crop growth, assessed plant water and nutrient status, and scouted for signs of pests, diseases, and weed pressure to inform precise field management strategies for stable yields. Professor CHEN and consultant Professor Ma analyzed local conditions – including the 2025 seasonal climate, real-time soil moisture levels, and crop development – providing tailored optimization suggestions. Their insights aim to refine conservation tillage models and guide large-scale demonstration efforts. The project team also engaged in in-depth discussions with local agricultural officials and cooperatives regarding regional challenges and the application of key conservation practices.
This intensive field visit is expected to sharpen the project's focus on overcoming critical technical barriers in black soil preservation. It aims to accelerate breakthroughs in regionally-adapted conservation tillage technologies and their widespread adoption, providing essential scientific support for the sustainable use of Northeast China's black soils and the transition toward greener, higher-quality agricultural development.

The project delegation inspecting crop growth and soil conditions within the Changtu conservation tillage plots.