Abstract: By integrating statistical data and remote sensing information, a spatiotemporal dataset of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application rates for 14 major crops in 2000, 2010, and 2020 was constructed, and changes in sown area, fertilization intensity, and fertilizer application amount were analyzed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the sown area of major crops in China continued to increase, with a growth rate of 12.18%. The nitrogen fertilizer application intensity of 9 crops decreased significantly, with a reduction range of 7.91% to 54.12%, while the phosphorus fertilizer application intensity of 10 crops showed an upward trend, with an increase range of 1.62% to 191.17%. Spatially, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application amounts showed similar regional differences, with the Huanghuai region having the highest application amount. The proportion of nitrogen fertilizer application for the three major staple crops remained above 80%, and that of phosphorus fertilizer application remained above 70%. In terms of temporal changes, the nitrogen fertilizer application amount of major crops in China generally showed a decreasing trend, with an overall reduction of 14.57%, while the phosphorus fertilizer application amount showed an increasing trend, with an overall increase of 26.98%. This increase mainly occurred in northern China.

Key words: nitrogen fertilization, phosphorus fertilization, fertilization intensity, sown area, spatial-temporal changes, China