Spatial distribution characteristics of potential productivity of arable land in main crop production area in China

Such characteristics of arable land quality as method of calculating crop yield and productivity, yield gaps, distribution of crop productivity, are critical to regulate policymaking for constriction of the high quality farmland and measurement for closing yield gaps of arable land in the main crop production in China. Based on the detail data including field survey at village level, theoretical and realizable yields for different crops by agronomy expert at national and provincial level, statistics yearbook at county level in the main crop production area (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong and Jiangsu province) in China were collected, all the data for arable land potential productivity were collated and synthesized. The results indicated as follows：(1) The theoretical productivity potential was 5.12×108t, the realizable productivity potential was 4.03×108t and the actual production was 3.28×108t in the main crop production area of China. (2) The three-level yields including theoretical, realizable and actual level were the highest in Jianghuai Plain in Jiangsu province, however, the theoretical yield was the lowest in Daxing′an Mountain and Xiaoxing′an Mountain. (3) The realizable yield and actual yield in Houshan Bashang Plateau in Hebei province were the lowest among the main crop production zone. (4) The theoretical productivity potential in Hebei plain and Shandong province was higher than the other areas. (5) The large gap between theoretical and realizable yield in the whole area shows that the arable land production can be realized by improving construction of high standard of arable land, however, the small gap between realizable and actual yield shows that there were no room for policymaking. The results provide the basis for policymaking on arable land utilization in the main crop production area in China.