Downward trend in P and K fertiliser use is "cause for concern" (From Smallholder)

Downward trend in P and K fertiliser use is "cause for concern"

12:36pm Tuesday 30th June 2009

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Fertiliser survey points to continued decline in P and K usage The newly published Annual Survey of Fertiliser Practice 2008 highlights a continuing decline in the use of phosphate and potash. Across British farmland, phosphate use is now just 31kg/ha – almost half what it was in 1983 when the survey began in its current form.

These trends are vital to the Professional Nutrient Management Group, comprised of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), the Country Land and Business Association, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Linking Environment And Farming and the NFU, which recognises the need to monitor trends in fertiliser use.

“The survey data helps us assess the progress of the industry towards achieving its goal of sustainable nutrient management,” said AIC’s Jane Salter. “For example, one aim is to achieve optimum nitrogen use efficiencies for profit, while reducing nitrate and nitrous oxide leakage. The survey shows steady improvements, although overall progress has slowed. However, as more refined application techniques are taken up more widely the efficiencies are expected to rise again.”

The balance of soil phosphate, potash, and sulphur availability all alter nitrogen use efficiencies. Hence the survey’s findings of a continued downward trend in P and K use is a cause for concern. For some fields, lowering P status may have been good practice. However, half of UK soils are estimated to have potash indices below target level, while up to a third of soils have phosphate indices below target.

“There is concern that indices in some fields have been allowed to drift down too far which will threaten the ability to optimise nitrogen use in growing crops or grass,” added Mrs Salter.

“This in turn will make it difficult to improve nitrogen use efficiencies meaning potential increased nitrate or nitrous at oxide losses and lower farmer returns.”

The British Survey of Fertiliser Practice for the 2008 cropping season and previous copies, can be found at: https://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/bsfp.htm

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