1. The content range of total soil nutrients of China are as follows:N: 0.04-0.38% P: 0.02-0.11% K: 0.05-2.5%. 2. Generally, the NPK content of soils under natural vegetative cover is higher than that under cultivation, and the nutrients content of paddy soils greater than that of dryland soils of the same origin. 3. Total and available nutrient levels of soils are mainly influentd by parent material,degree of weathering and histrry of cultivation.4.Almost all the soils of arable lands of China need nitrogen application,while about 1/3-1/2 of arable land area is deficient in phosphorus, and 1/4-1/3 deficient in potassium.5. The phosphorus level of soils deficient now in phosphorus is increasing gradually because of phosphorus fertilizer application, while that of soils not deficient now in phosphorus is ratting decreased because of phosphorus unbalance.6. The area of soils deficient in potassium has a tendency to increase.7. Based on the results now available, the sketch. maps of soil nitrogen, pbosphorw sad potassium status of China were compiled.