Improving saline-alkali soils—China Agricultural University has a secret weapon!

As an important historical and cultural city along the ancient Silk Road, Suzhou District of Jiuquan City in Gansu Province serves as a key strategic hub for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Due to its geographical location, climatic conditions, and other factors, the district suffers from severe soil salinization and alkalization—issues that significantly constrain crop yields and pose a major challenge to local farmers.

         Wang Cheng is one of the local farmers, cultivating over 200 mu of wheat on land that is entirely saline‑alkali. To improve the soil and boost wheat yields, he has tried every possible method. In April 2018, by chance, Wang Cheng learned from Ma Zhong, the general manager of Gansu Tianxi Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., about an alkaline‑soil conditioner called Nongda Silicon‑Calcium‑Potassium‑Magnesium. Intrigued by the product, he discussed it at length with General Manager Ma: “I’ve turned more than 200 mu of barren beach into saline‑alkali farmland. A few plots are so severely affected that nothing will grow—truly a source of great concern. I was even thinking of giving up on them altogether. Now, I’d like to use this Nongda Silicon‑Calcium‑Potassium‑Magnesium as a trial to see just how effective it is.”

         Faced with such a stubborn individual, Ma Zhong, general manager of Tianxi Agriculture, was left with no choice. To be honest, he couldn’t even guarantee whether it would work or not.

         After purchasing the fertilizer, Wang Cheng selected the plot most severely affected by salinization and alkalization. The wheat sown earlier had already emerged, and on this two-mu‑sized field, he applied ten bags of Nongda Silicon‑Calcium‑Potassium‑Magnesium Soil Conditioner along with 20 kilograms of Nongda Yibajia. Later, General Manager Ma Zhong of Tianxi conducted multiple follow-up visits to assess the results; the following are the records from those visits:

Comparison of Follow-up Results on April 20th

Comparison of Follow-up Results on May 22nd

Comparison of Follow-up Results on June 17

         “In just two months, the results are already so noticeable! This product is really excellent!” Wang Cheng said excitedly.

         Ma Zhong said, “We are deeply gratified to see such striking contrasts, which have strengthened our confidence. Tianxi Agriculture is committed to a green, ecological, and organic development path, and the active humic acid products from Shandong Agricultural University perfectly align with the national call to nurture the soil, reduce fertilizer use, and boost efficiency. Choosing Shandong Agricultural University gives us a profound sense of mission and responsibility: to reclaim saline‑alkali lands and help farmers increase both yields and incomes. We are undertaking a truly beneficial endeavor that serves the nation and the people. The pledge ‘to preserve even a small patch of fertile land for future generations’ is no longer an empty slogan—it is something we are now putting into concrete action. We look forward to long‑term cooperation with Shandong Agricultural University Fertilizer Co., Ltd., letting the results of our field demonstrations speak for themselves and seeing our mission and responsibilities through to the end.”