Utilization of organic wastes in the taihu region of Jiangsu Province of China

In the Taihu region of Jiangsu Province, organic wastes applied to soil, including straws of crops, human and domestic-animal feces, provided 805 kg/ha of soil organic matter in 1982, equivalent to about 43% of the total amount of soil organic matter decomposed each year. By using the organic wastes, the severe imbalance in the proportion of N, P and K fertilizers applied was improved. The possibility of raising the proportion of organic-matter recycling is discussed and some specific investigations needed in this respect are indicated.