Land management model restoring nation's black soil

For low-lying flatlands in the eastern part of the Songnen Plain, straw is crushed and buried deep to replenish soil organic matter.

For soils affected by wind and water erosion and thin black soil in medium- and low-yield fields, straw and organic fertilizers are mixed and buried underground. Additionally, corn and soybeans need to be rotated to build a fertile plow layer and nurture the soil, Jia added.

"In the western part of the Songnen Plain, where drought and salinization are severe, we advocate no-tillage management. This is largely attributed to high temperatures that could enhance the microbial activity of straw decomposition in this area to nourish the land," he said.

In the Lesser Hinggan Mountains area, where the farmland drainage flow varies greatly, the focus of land protection is on preventing soil erosion. Measures such as planting across contours, building dikes and planting biological hedges have been adopted, he said.