Long-term fertilizer use boosts wheat yield and soil fertility dramatically.
Long-term use of fertilizer on wheat in the Loess Plateau increased wheat yield and nutrient content in the seeds. Combining nitrogen and phosphorus had the most significant impact on increasing nutrient uptake in wheat. Adding manure to the mix improved soil fertility and increased grain quality. Soil organic matter, total phosphorus, and available potassium increased with the combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and manure. Overall, applying manure can enhance soil fertility over time.