Quantification of the Relationship Among Cropland Area, Cropland Management Measures, and Cropland Productivity Using Panel Data Model

Cropland forms the material basis for human survival and is an important determinant of national food security. Cropland net primary productivity, which is the basis of food production and an important indicator of cropland productivity, reflects the production capacity of crops under natural conditions. However, currently, only limited knowledge was available on the relationship among cropland area, cropland management measures, and cropland productivity in China. Hence, in the current study, we used the panel data model to quantify the effects of cropland area and various cropland management measures (e.g., fertilizer use, irrigation area, agricultural machinery power, pesticide use, and agricultural film use) on cropland total net primary productivity (TNPP). Results revealed that for the entire cropland in China, an increase in cropland area, fertilizer use, agricultural machinery power, pesticide use, and agricultural film use increased cropland TNPP, whereas an increase in irrigation area decreased cropland TNPP. Further, in grain-producing areas, an increase in cropland area, fertilizer use, irrigation area, agricultural machinery power, pesticide use, and agricultural film use resulted in an increase in cropland TNPP. Moreover, in grain-balanced areas, an increase in cropland area, fertilizer use, pesticide use, and agricultural film use led to an increase in cropland TNPP, while an increase in irrigation area and agricultural machinery power reduced cropland TNPP. Finally, in grain-consuming areas, increases in cropland area, irrigation area, pesticide use, and agricultural film use caused an increase in cropland TNPP, whereas increases in fertilizer use and agricultural machinery power reduced cropland TNPP. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the encroachment of fertile cropland and, simultaneously, implement scientific management measures based on local conditions in croplands.