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		On-line Documents on Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Information Resources Land and Water Themes On-line Documents Publications Land + Water Links Find		A Fertilizer Strategy for Zimbabwe A specific objective of this study is to provide an estimate of the amount of fertilizer needed to support the projections of agricultural commodity production for 2020. This study projects the major crop area, yield and fertilizer use to 2020. It also examines the conditions under which farmers, particularly smallholders, may adopt and expand fertilizer use. Download (Size: 910 KB) |        Assessment of soil nutrient balance Nutrient-balance assessments are valuable tools for delineating the consequences of farming on soil fertility. Various approaches and methods for different situations have been used. This bulletin presents a state-of-the-art overview of nutrient-balance studies. It brings out the evolution of the approaches and methods, provides for comparisons among them, features the improvements made and highlights remaining issues. This analysis will be useful in further development of the assessment methodologies as reliable tools for devising time-scale soil fertility management interventions. Keywords: soil, nutrient, balance Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 14 Credits: R.N. Roy, R.V. Misra, J.P. Lesschen, E.M. Smaling Download (Size: 4193 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Bilans des éléments nutritifs du sol à différentes échelles - Application des méthodes intermédiaires aux réalités africaines En utilisant des données de trois pays d'Afrique subsaharienne, ce rapport compare les approches de niveau global et détaillé pour la détermination des bilans d'éléments nutritifs du sol avec une approche innovante de niveau intermédiaire. Il met en avant la valeur additionnelle qu'une approche de niveau intermédiaire peut fournir du fait de son utilité pour les personnes intéressées au niveau intermédiaire en articulant et en ciblant les mesures spécifiques pour l'augmentation de la fertilité du sol, et du fait de sa validité comme point d'entrée pour les décideurs politiques et l'intervention du secteur privé. Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 15 Download (Size: 2273 KB) |      Technical contact        Bolivia - hacia una estrategia de fertilizantes El principal objectivo de este estudio fue el evaluar la posibilidad y el impacto de la eventual reducción o eliminación del impuesto a las importaciones y del IVA a los fertilizantes minerales en Bolivia. Tal medida puede constituir una parte importante de un enfoque general para desarollar una estrategia de fertilizantes que abarque además el desarollo sostenible, la protección del ambiente, la seguridad alimentaria y la competitividad internacional del sector agricola. Download (Size: 194 KB) |        Carbon sequestration in dryland soils This publication reflects part of FAO's work on soil carbon sequestration within the framework of its programme on the integrated planning and management of land resources for sustainable rural development. The report presents a comprehensive analysis of the scientific aspects and potential for carbon sequestration in drylands – some of the most soil-degraded and impoverished regions of the world. It is based on case studies carried out across different landuse and management systems in several distinctive dryland areas. The report includes an overview of the policies and clarification of the different economic incentives regarding soil carbon sequestration in order to determine how available resources can be used and specific programmes can be implemented to improve the food security and rural livelihoods in drylands. Keywords: drylands, carbon sequestration, drylands, soils, climate change, dryland ecosystems, zero tillage systems, carbon credits, carbon funds, soil carbon modelling Publication Series: World Soil Resources Report 102 Download (Size: 3057 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Current World Fertilizer Trends and Outlook to 2010/11 This report presents world nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizer medium - term supply and demand projections for the period 2006/07- 20010/11. Download (Size: 350 KB) |      Technical contact        Directrices para Ensayos y Demostraciones de Nutrición Vegetal y Manejo de Suelos a Nivel de Finca Uno de los objetivos de la Dirección de Fomento de Tierras y Aguas (AGL) es aliviar los problemas que afrontan muchos países con relación a la baja productividad de los suelos y la insostenibilidad en el uso de la tierra. Dicha entidad persigue este objetivo mediante la promoción, inter alia, del manejo integrado de la nutrición vegetal, el mejoramiento de la fertilidad y un manejo seguro de los suelos, así como la conservación del agua y los suelos. Por tanto, una tarea importante de la dirección es proporcionar directrices para la planificación segura y eficaz del manejo de la tierra, el agua y los recursos nutritivos de las plantas en la agricultura. Con este fin, esta guía técnica ofrece algunos aspectos para la proyección eficaz de la nutrición vegetal mejorada, la fertilidad y el manejo de los suelos (relacionado con la selección de prácticas adecuadas de manejo a través de la experimentación a nivel de fincas). La guía proporciona opciones a los investigadores para la selección de los lugares, los tratamientos, su disposición, diseños experimentales y métodos de análisis. El documento también ofrece metodologías para la interpretación de resultados y el esbozo de conclusiones, así como para la formulación de recomendaciones basadas en estas últimas. Además, hace énfasis en la importancia de completar todas las fases de experimentación, incluyendo el análisis, las conclusiones y recomendaciones al final de cada campaña y antes del próximo cultivo. Keywords: experimentación en fincas, diseños experimentales, ensayos, demostraciones, nutrición vegetal, manejo de suelos, análisis de resultados, interpretación de resultados Publication Series: AGL/Misc/26 Download (Size: 1914 KB) |      Technical contact        Drought-resistant soils - Optimization of soil moisture for sustainable plant production Under low and variable rainfall conditions, efficient soil moisture management is a good way for improving water-use efficiency. Recognizing the importance of soil moisture, an electronic conference was organized to identify, describe, discuss and promote actions that will assist farmers to improve water-use efficiency in rainfed agriculture and drought-proof their system. The present publication contains an analytic summary of the conference discussions, abstracts of papers submitted during the conference and discussion papers prepared to introduce the different topics. In keeping with the electronic character of the workshop, the full documentation is included on the CD-ROM that accompanies this publication. Keywords: drought resistant, soils, moisture, rainfall, water conservation, soil conservation Publication Series: FAO Land and Water Bulletin 11 Download (Size: 16958 KB) |      Technical contact        Economie de l’agriculture de conservation L’agriculture de conservation est une approche innovante pour améliorer l’utilisation des ressources pour une production durable. Ses avantages incluent une réduction des intrants, une meilleure stabilité des rendements, une amélioration des échanges d’éléments nutritifs dans le sol et une augmentation de la rentabilité à long terme. Cette étude examine les facteurs financiers et autres qui affectent l’adoption et le succès de l’agriculture de conservation que ce soit au niveau de l’exploitation, au niveau national ou mondial. Consciente de la divergence possible entre les intérêts privés et les intérêts sociaux, l’étude met l’accent sur l’importance des objectifs et des motifs des agriculteurs, la dimension collective et le rôle de la politique. En demandant une analyse améliorée de la politique et une information en vue d’une prise de décision, elle recommande le développement d’indicateurs de durabilité et une approche au niveau de l’exploitation entière. Download (Size: 1164 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Estimaciones globales de las emisiones gaseosas de NH3, NO y N2O provenientes de las tierras agrícolas Las plantas absorben solamente el 50 por ciento del fertilizante nitrogenado que se aplica a la tierra agrícola. Esta ineficacia del uso del fertilizante es en parte el resultado de las emisiones de amoníaco (NH3), de óxido nitroso (N2O) y de óxido nítrico (NO). La cuantificación de estas emisiones es importante tanto para aumentar en lo posible la eficacia del uso de los fertilizantes como para controlar las repercusiones de las mencionadas emisiones en los ecosistemas, en la contaminación atmosférica y en el efecto invernadero. En esta publicación se ofrece una revisión completa de la literatura sobre las emisiones de NH3, N2O y NO, y se examinan los aspectos reglamentarios, las técnicas de medición y los modelos relativos a las emisiones objeto de estudio. Además, se presentan datos y se generan estimaciones globales de emisiones de NH3, N2O y NO que pueden servir de punto de partida para tratar con mayor detalle las cuestiones de eficacia del uso de fertilizantes y las consecuencias de las emisiones en el ambiente. Download (Size: 1046 KB) |      Technical contact        Estimations des émissions gazeuses de NH3, NO et N2O par les terres agricoles à l'échelle mondiale Les plantes absorbent seulement 50 pour cent de l'engrais azoté appliqué aux terres agricoles. Une partie de cette inefficacité est le résultat des émissions d'ammoniac (NH3), de protoxyde d'azote (N2O) et de monoxyde d'azote (NO). La quantification de ces émissions est importante, tout d'abord en tant qu'élément d'une tentative d'amélioration de l'efficacité de l'utilisation des engrais et ensuite du fait de leurs effets sur les écosystèmes, la pollution atmosphérique et l'effet dit de serre. Ce rapport fournit une vaste revue de la littérature au sujet des émissions de NH3, de N2O et de NO, et examine les facteurs de régulation, les techniques de mesure et les modèles. Il réunit ces données et produit des évaluations globales d'émission qui peuvent servir de base pour aborder par la suite les questions d'efficacité et d'impact sur l'environnement. Download (Size: 1178 KB) |      Technical contact        Estrategías en Materia de Fertilizantes Spanish version of 'Fertilizer Strategies' Download (Size: 692 KB) |      Technical contact        Evaluation du bilan en éléments nutritifs du sol - Approches et méthodologies Les évaluations des bilans en éléments nutritifs aident à déterminer les effets des pratiques agricoles sur la fertilité des sols. Selon les situations, plusieurs approches et méthodes ont été utilisées. Ce bulletin présente un aperçu de la situation actuelle des études des bilans en éléments nutritifs. Il fait apparaître l'évolution des différentes approches et méthodes, les compare et souligne les améliorations effectuées ainsi que les questions qui restent à résoudre. Cette analyse permettra le développement des méthodologies d'évaluation considérées comme des outils fiables visant à concevoir des interventions dans le domaine de la gestion de la fertilité des sols. Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 14 Credits: R.N. Roy, R.V. Misra, J.P. Lesschen, E.M. Smaling Download (Size: 5658 KB) |      Technical contact        Expert Consultation on Soil and Nutrient Management in SSA, in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative (SFI) There is a growing recognition, amongst both policy makers and specialists, that soil degradation is one of the root causes of declining agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa, (SSA) and that unless controlled, many parts of the continent, would suffer increasingly from food insecurity. The consequences of allowing the productivity of Africa’s soil resources to continue on its present downward spiral would be severe, not only for the economies of individual countries but for the welfare of the millions of rural households dependent on agriculture for meeting their welfare. To review the progress of ongoing FAO/NARS soil fertility improvement collaborative programmes, to facilitate exchange of information among the technicians in SSA, and to contribute to the SFI consultative process, the Land and Water Development Division, in cooperation with the Mount Makulu Central Research Station, and the Zambia SFI Core Team, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries of Zambia, organized this Expert Consultation from 6 to 9 December 1999 in Lusaka, Zambia. Publication Series: AGL/Misc/26/2000 Credits: R. Roy Download (Size: 89 KB) |      Technical contact        Farmer Field Schools Facilitators' Manual - Volume 1 - Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management in Semi-arid Zimbabwe This Farmer Field School Facilitators’ Manual explains some of the basic principles of plant production and land management in the semi-arid zone of southern and western Zimbabwe. It describes the various properties and functions of the soil relevant for cropping and the water and nutrient cycles in the agro-ecosystem. The role and management of mineral and organic fertilizers are described and illustrated. Additional learning modules are dedicated to crop establishment, weed management and soil and water conservation. The manual is intended for extension and research staff involved in field-level farmer education and for farmers trained as FFS facilitators and includes 39 Field Studies to guide practical learning and experimentation at field level. Keywords: Integrated Soil, Water and Nutrient Management (ISWNM), soil life, soil organic matter (SOM), land degradation, pegging, control barriers, manure, soil moisture, soil fertility Download (Size: 2429 KB) |      Technical contact        Ferticredit - Credit for Small Farmers' Groups and Savings for Development This Field Document No. 11 of the FAO-SNAG Project in Bolivia (Fertisuelos), GCPF/BOL/018/NET, "Soil Management and Plant Nutrition in Farming Systems", explains the reason why is it necessary to fertilize the cultivated soils and the system proposed by the project for generating savings and constituting one's own capital destined for the purchase of mineral fertilizers, necessary for a good harvest. Keywords: Fertilizer Read document on-line      Technical contact        Ferticredit - Credit for Small Farmers' Groups and Savings for Development (Spanish version) Spanish version of the one above Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer Requirements in 2015 and 2030 This study on future fertilizer requirements in agriculture projects total fertilizer use to increase from current levels of about 135 million tonnes a year to between 167 and 199 million tonnes a year in 2030. The forecast growth rates are slower than those of the past 40 years, which averaged 5.5% annually. The authors of the study from the US Department of Agriculture, the International Fertilizer Industry Association, FAO's AG Plant Nutrition Management Service and The Fertilizer Institute set out to quantify the amount of fertilizer needed to support FAO's preliminary projections of agricultural commodity production in 2015 and 2030. Taking account of the "likely future path of global agricultural production and resource use" - including environmental incentives to improve the efficiency of fertilizer use in developed countries - the study projects growth rates of between 0.7 and 1.3%, depending on assumptions about nutrient efficiency over the next 35 years. "These findings are similar to those of other studies, which indicate a slow-down in the growth of fertilizer use", the study concludes. "Satisfying growth in demand for food in the next century will clearly require further increases in fertilizers, but at lower growth rates compared to the past." Keywords: Fertilizer Download (Size: 432 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer Strategies This document presents guidelines for governments on the development of fertilizer strategies. It illustrates the differences before and after the involvement of the private sector and offers solutions for improvement. It discusses the role of fertilizers in the development of agriculture along with the factors that have impact on their use by farmers, gives practical suggestions for decision-makers regarding production or import of fertilizers and then deals with the many issues involved in the efficient distribution and marketing of fertilizers and finally with the institutional framework for the integration of all these aspects into a comprehensive fertilizer policy. Keywords: Fertilizer Download (Size: 311 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer Strategies (Arabic version) Arabic version of 'Fertilier Strategies' Download (Size: 1712 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer requirements in 2015 and 2030 revisited This study is a follow-up of the publication Fertilizer requirements in 2015 and 2030. It proposes improved methodologies for the forecasting of fertilizer demand which are consistent with the FAO projectsions of agricultural production in 2015 and 2030. Three methodologies are discussed i) a simple structural eoconomic model, ii) time series modelling with Vector Autoregression; and iii) causal production economics approach models based on eoconomic duality theory. Keywords: fertilizer demand; autoregression; fertilizer forecast; forecasting methodologies; econometric models; spatial correlation Download (Size: 607 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop Most of the world’s hunger and poverty occurs in rural areas. The use of fertilizers could improve agricultural productivity in these areas. However, many developing countries attach a low priority to the subsistence/smallholder sector, particularly in disadvantaged areas. This publication summarizes the information in 21 Fertilizer use by crop country booklets. Properly applied, fertilizer use is sustainable, not only improving agricultural productivity but also helping to avoid land degradation. Incorrectly used, fertilizers may be harmful. In order to assess the present and potential efficiency of fertilizer use, it is necessary to know, for each agro-ecological region of each country: the crops on which fertilizers are being used; the social and structural context; appropriate fertilizer application rates; the profitability of fertilizer application at these rates; the arrangements for supplying fertilizers to farmers and for marketing their produce; the credit facilities available to farmers and distributors; whether sufficient research on appropriate fertilization techniques is being carried out; and whether the resulting information is reaching the farmers. This publication reviews these various issues, substantiated by examples from each country, and analyses available statistics on fertilizer use by crop. Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 17 Download (Size: 1918 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Argentina Argentina is an important world producer and exporter of soybeans, maize and wheat and certain other agricultural products. This study examines the cropping systems in the different regions of the country. The reasons for an extraordinary increase in fertilizer use in the fi rst half of the 1990s are analysed. The supply, distribution and economics as well as the research and advisory infrastructure for fertilizers are described. Constraints to increased fertilizer consumption and factors affecting the outlook for fertilizer demand are considered. Keywords: fertilizer, Argentina, crop, región pampanea; regiones económicas; valles irrigados; producci'n agricola; fertilizantes utilizados y su origen; uso de fertilizantes; cultivos industriales; cereales; relaciones económicas; estiércol Download (Size: 1439 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Brazil Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee, sugar cane and citrus and is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans. Agricultural production has increased more than threefold during the past 30 years and the use of mineral fertilizers has increased correspondingly. Multidisciplinary agricultural research has permitted a major agricultural development of the Cerrado region, once considered to be marginal for agriculture. Advanced production techniques are used to produce the major export crops. No-till systems are currently applied on almost 40 percent of the grain crop area. While yield levels of the major export crops are good, the average yields of food crops for domestic consumption are low. Most of the numerous small-scale, often subsistence, farmers use little or no fertilizers. Rural poverty is a major problem in some regions of Brazil and could be alleviated by improved agricultural productivity. Download (Size: 1879 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Cuba In this study the agro-ecological structure and the areas, yields and fertilization of the individual crops in Cuba are examined. All Cuba’s fertilizer requirements are imported and the quantities available are limited. The use of fertilizers fell by 80 percent during the 1990s and the present level is insuffi cient to maintain yields and soil fertility. In order to alleviate the situation the Government gives priority to certain key crops such as sugar cane because of its economic importance and potatoes as a key food crop. The use of plant nutrients from organic sources is encouraged. The use of biofertilizers has been tried but only nitrogen-fi xing Rhizobium has maintained its position. Download (Size: 849 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Egypt Agricultural land accounts for only 3.5 percent of the land area of Egypt. Two thirds of the agricultural land is alluvial soil, fertilized for thousands of years by the Nile fl oods, and one third is land recovered since the 1950s. Rainfall is minimal and almost all the agricultural land is irrigated. Soil salinity and water logging are important problems in the reclaimed areas. Sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation are common on the recovered area and fertigation is used on 13 percent of the land. There are up to three harvests per year, the overall cropping intensity being 180 percent. Crop yields and rates of fertilizer use are relatively high. In order to provide for a large and increasing population, while economizing scarce resources and minimizing adverse environmental impacts, the effi ciency of use of both fertilizers and water needs to be improved. Continuing efforts must be made to communicate information on the best practices to a generally receptive farmer audience. Farmers’ Field Schools make an important contribution to the transfer of information. Download (Size: 2645 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Egypt - Arabic version Download (Size: 678 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Ghana Ghana has extensive areas of land suitable for agriculture but the soils are productive only with proper management. Traditional, soil exhausting, cultivation practices are still used extensively. The average rate of fertilizer application on most crops is low and the removal and loss of plant nutrients substantially exceed their replacement. After a period of rapid increase in the 1970s, the consumption of fertilizers started to decline in the early 1980s and only recently recovered its former level. Most crops respond economically to fertilizers and organic manure. Inadequate credit facilities, unsatisfactory produce marketing arrangements and the relatively small area receiving irrigation, despite the underutilization of several large irrigation projects, are among the identifi ed constraints to increased fertilizer use. Download (Size: 2459 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in India Food security has long been a major concern in India. The promotion of fertilizer production and use in order to increase crop yields has been a major objective of the Government of India for more than 30 years. With 116 million farmholdings and an average farm size of only 1.4 ha, the task is difficult. However, the policy has succeeded and food production in India has kept pace with a rapidly growing population. The population continues to increase and the provision of an adequate supply of food remains a challenge. This can be achieved only through further increases in yields, involving the enhanced use of fertilizers (fertilizer application rates are relatively low in many areas). This also entails selecting products and implementing practices that improve fertilizer-use efficiency. Download (Size: 1673 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Indonesia This report presents data and information related to cropping and fertilizer use in Indonesia during the period from 1998 to 2002. It covers fertilizer production, consumption, marketing and changes in the harvested areas and yields of the major food, plantation, vegetable and fruit crops. The offi cial recommendations on fertilizer use on the different crops date from 1984 and need to be updated. The government has long recognized the importance of fertilizers in providing food security and economic stability and has regulated accordingly. During the period under consideration, there have been several changes in the government’s policy concerning the subsidization and distribution of fertilizers. Some were inconsistent, in an attempt to adapt to the changing conditions following the economic crisis of 1997. The shortcomings of current policies and the measures that could improve agricultural productivity are discussed. Download (Size: 1997 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia The development of the agriculture sector and improvement of the living standards of small-scale farmers are priorities of the Government of Malaysia. A higher level of agricultural production requires an increased and/or more effi cient use of inputs, especially fertilizers. Fertilizer purchases by smallholder farmers are subsidized. A better use of available organic wastes, organic farming and integrated farming systems is being promoted. There is a highly competitive distribution sector for fertilizers. Fertilizer use in Malaysia is characterized by a large consumption of directly applied phosphate rock, attributable to the acidic nature of the soils and the large area of perennial plantation crops, and of potassium owing to the large area of oil-palm. Oil-palm is by far the largest fertilizer-consuming crop in Malaysia. In this publication, the quantities of fertilizers used on thirty crops, divided into fi ve groups, are calculated based on recommended fertilizer rates, expected and achieved yields. Information is given on fertilizer prices, crop prices and, as an indication of the profi tability of fertilizer use, the crop price: nutrient price ratios for a selection of fruit and vegetable crops. Download (Size: 818 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Pakistan Pakistan has a population of over 150 million people, growing at an annual rate of two percent, with almost a third living below the poverty level. A threefold increase in food crop production during the past thirty years has been made possible by a thirteen fold increase in fertilizer use. However, fertilizer usage is far removed from known, recommended practices with consequent ineffi ciencies, loss of yield, fi nancial waste and the loss of plant nutrients to the environment. Keywords: fertilizer, crop, Pakistan, fertilizer use; irrigation;agro-ecological zones; crop production; fertilizer recommendations;; wheat; rice; cotton; sugar cane; fruit crops; manure; biological source of plant nutients Download (Size: 3471 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Poland This study examines the use of plant nutrients on individual crops in different regions of Poland, in the context of the agro-ecological conditions, the structure of agriculture, the production and consumption of mineral and organic plant nutrients, the relationship between nutrient inputs and outputs, the need for mineral nutrients and the economics of fertilization. Keywords: fertilizer, poland, crop, Download (Size: 813 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in South Africa Only fourteen percent of the total land area of South Africa receives suffi cient rainfall for arable crop production and periodic droughts affect the rainfed arable areas. The irrigated area accounts for less than ten percent of the total arable area but provides a substantial proportion of the value of the country’s total agricultural output. Governmental support and regulation of the agricultural and fertilizer sectors have been greatly reduced, resulting in the closure of some fertilizer plants and in marginal cereal areas being taken out of cultivation. Forty percent of the South African population lives in poverty, mostly in rural areas. An increase in the purchasing power of this sector of the population would stimulate the demand for food and indirectly for fertilizers. A proper use of fertilizers would help to improve the productivity and income of smallholders. Download (Size: 1642 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Taiwan Province of China In Taiwan Province of China, almost 800 000 families engage in small-scale farming operations. They apply a range of organic and mineral fertilizers to produce more than 200 kinds of crops in varied geographical and climatic conditions. This report provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of crop fertilizer use, trends, yields and profitability in an agriculture sector that is undergoing market liberalization. It presents data by type of crop, fertilizer and agro-ecological zone and explains recent developments in fertilizer production, consumption and distribution. Keywords: fertilizer, Taiwan, crop Download (Size: 525 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Ukraine Ukraine has large areas of rich, black earth soils that made the country, in the past, a major world supplier of cereals. Following independence in 1991, agricultural production declined sharply as a result of a fi nancial crisis in the agricultural sector. There was a sharp reduction in the use of fertilizers and manures and a fall in the yields of most major crops. The fertilizer manufacturing industry turned to the export market as the main outlet for its products. A low point of agricultural production and fertilizer use was reached in 1999, since when there have been defi nite signs of a gradual recovery. Agriculture is supported by the state, including state intervention in the pricing, subsidization and supply of fertilizers for the domestic market and in the provision of agricultural services. Download (Size: 2538 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan Prior to independence the monoculture of cotton has led to serious problems of land degradation in Uzbekistan and to the environmental catastrophe of the Aral Sea. Since independence, priority has been given to the diversifi cation of agricultural production and self- suffi ciency in cereals has now been achieved. Farming, although not land ownership, has been privatized. This study describes the agro- ecological and farming conditions of the country, cropping, and the use of fertilizers and manures. Keywords: fertilizer, uzbekistan Download (Size: 3571 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe’s economy is heavily reliant on its agriculture sector. Until 2000, there were two dominant subsectors: a large-scale commercial subsector with a relatively small number of large farms located mostly on the better land; and a large number of small farms in the smallholder subsector. Most of the fertilizer use was in the large-scale subsector, with only one-fifth of smallholders using fertilizers. In 2000, the State initiated an agrarian reform policy and took over most of the large-scale farming area for redistribution. Fertilizer consumption has since fallen sharply. There is concern about degradation of the often fragile soils. Fertilizer production has fallen as a consequence of both reduced demand and financial difficulties encountered by manufacturers. Download (Size: 826 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in the Islamic Republic of Iran Low rainfall and high temperatures in Iran necessitate irrigation and over half the cultivated land is irrigated. Water availability and salinity are major constraints. Iran has long been a major importer of wheat but in 2003 and 2004 domestic wheat production almost satisfi ed the national demand. Several governmental measures supported production of the crop and favourable rainfall after a drought was also a major factor. Yields of both irrigated and rainfed wheat are low by world standards. The intensifi cation of production, in particular through a greater efficiency of fertilization and irrigation, is required in order to achieve a permanent reduction in the country’s dependence on wheat imports, even under less favourable climatic conditions. Download (Size: 2769 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in the People's Republic of Korea In recent years, agricultural production in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has fallen sharply. There is little arable land and increased production must come from higher yields, which require an adequate supply of production inputs such as fertilizers. All inputs are in short supply and there is a lack of items such as spare parts for machinery and irrigation pumps. Compounded by a series of droughts, this situation has resulted in serious food shortages. Large-scale humanitarian interventions have been required. In order to increase agricultural production, a “double cropping programme” has been developed, with the support of FAO and aid agencies, in order to permit the harvesting of an extra crop. This report presents the results of the programme to date. Keywords: fertilizer, korea, crop, Download (Size: 1046 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in the Sudan The Sudan has almost 17 million ha of cultivated land, and the potentially cultivable area is much larger. It is the largest area of cultivable land in the Arab world. The agricultural and livestock sectors make an important contribution to the national economy. The climate is hot and rainfall uncertain but the Blue and White Nile Rivers have enabled the development of large irrigation schemes. However, the rainfed sector, which provides a livelihood for the majority of the population, has been neglected. The productivity of the irrigation schemes has declined in recent years. Food production has increased because of expansion in the cropped area, while yields have tended to fall. Outside the irrigation schemes, farmers use little fertilizer. Even in the scheme areas, fertilizers are underused. Overall, fertilizer use is at a very low level. Download (Size: 2421 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizer use by crop in the Syrian Arab Republic About half the population of the Syrian Arabic Republic depends primarily on agriculture for its livelihood and agricultural exports are a major source of foreign currency for the country. Since the 1980s, agricultural production in the Syrian Arabic Republic has no longer been suffi cient to meet domestic demand, which is rising as a result of population growth, generally rising incomes and urbanization. Increased fertilizer use is expected as a result of the expansion of the irrigated areas, the development of fertilizer use on fodder crops and increased use on fruit crops. Keywords: fertilizer, syrian arab republic, syria Download (Size: 1557 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Fertilizers and their use This booklet presents guidelines for extension staff on the use of fertilizers. It explains the need for mineral fertilizers for agricultural development in support of food security and the maintenance of soil productivity. The booklet addresses the role of fertilization in plants in relation to soil characteristics. It provides general fertilizer recommendations for selected crops and contains information on soil and plant tissue testing. Keywords: fertilizers, plant nutrients, soils, fertilizer recommendations, balanced fertilization, fertilizer application, deficiencies, extension, organic matter, biological nitrogen fixation, green manuring, soils, good agricultural practices Download (Size: 774 KB) |      Technical contact        Fertilizers and their use (Arabic version) Download (Size: 2370 KB) |      Technical contact        Global estimates of gaseous emissions of NH3, NO and N2O from agricultural land Plants take up only 50 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer applied to agricultural land. Part of this inefficiency is a result of emissions of ammonia (NH3 ), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO). Quantifying these emisions is important, both as part of an attempt to improve fertilizer use efficiency and because of their influence on ecosystems, atmospheric pollution and the so-called greenhouse effect. This report provides a comprehensive review of the literature about emissions of NH3, N2O and NO, and examines the regulating factors, measurement techniques and models. It draws these data together and generates global emission estimates that can serve as a basis for further addressing the issues of efficiency and environmental impact. Keywords: denitrification, nitrification, soil and crop management, fertilizers, modelling, measurement techniques, animal manure Download (Size: 433 KB) |      Technical contact        Guide Diagnostic Participatif des Contraintes et des Potentialités pour la Gestion des Sols et des Éléments Nutritifs des Plantes Ce guide présente des méthodes et des outils de diagnostic participatif des contraintes et des potentialités (DPCP) au niveau des familles et des communautés agricoles, afin de mieux comprendre les contraintes de gestion des sols et des éléments nutritifs des plantes et d'associer les agriculteurs dans la résolution de ces dernières. L'information qui sera collectée et analysée porte sur les caractéristiques physiques, socio-économiques et techniques des communautés agricoles. Ce guide est destiné aux équipes de spécialistes nationaux des sols et de la nutrition des plantes ainsi qu'aux agents de la vulgarisation. Ces équipes sont invitées à adapter la méthodologie proposée aux conditions et aux besoins nationaux. Ce document est constitué de deux parties: La Partie I, le texte principal, présente une séquence de 4 étapes por mener un exercice de DPCP au niveau de la communauté et des fermes agricoles. Il en expose également les concepts-clés. La Partie II présente une large gamme d'outils pour conduire un exercice de DPCP. Publication Series: AGL/Misc/30/2002 Download (Size: 3159 KB) |      Technical contact        Guide pour une gestion efficace de la nutrition des plantes French version of "Guide to efficient plant nutrient management" Download (Size: 1453 KB) |      Technical contact        Guide sur la Gestion et la Conservation des Sols et des Éléments Nutritifs pour les Champs-écoles des Agriculteurs Ces directives et matériel de référence visent l’adoption et la mise en application du champécole des agriculteurs pour de meilleures pratiques de Conservation et de Gestion Intégrée des Sols et des Nutriments des plantes (GISN), dans le but de préserver les ressources naturelles (principalement le sol et les nutriments) et d’améliorer la productivité du sol et les revenus agricoles des petits producteurs. Ce document propose des directives de référence pour la conception et la mise en application de l’approche champ-école des agriculteurs. Il est destiné aux facilitateurs de cette formation, pour produire des programmes et des manuels spécifiques locaux ou nationaux sur la vulgarisation agricole, l’agronomie, la science du sol, la nutrition des plantes, la conservation des sols et d’autres domaines de gestion agricole. Keywords: guide, conservation, champs-écoles, éléments nutritifs Publication Series: AGL/Misc/27/2000 Credits: H. Nabhan, A. Bot, R.N. Roy Download (Size: 3760 KB) |      Technical contact        Guide to efficient plant nutrition management The guide addresses some major issues related to the agronomic management of plant nutrients in an attempt to ensure both enhanced and sustainable agricultural production and to safeguard the environment. In this context, the guide proposes the adoption of Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS) which enhance soil productivity through a balanced use of local and external sources of plant nutrients in a way that maintains or improves soil fertility and is environmentally-friendly. The guide also emphasizes the need for national policies facilitating the development of sound plant nutrition management and the investments needed to intensify production while conserving the natural resource base. Download (Size: 517 KB) |      Technical contact        Guidelines and Reference Material on Integrated Soil and Nutrient Management and Conservation for Farmer Field Schools These guidelines provide a basic conceptual framework and supporting reference material which it is believed will assist in the development and implementation of effective FFS focused on Integrated Soil and Nutrient Management and Conservation. They are intended for use by FFS facilitators; with an agricultural extension, agronomy, soil science, plant nutrition, soil conservation or land husbandry disciplinary background; for the production of country or local specific manuals and curricula. These should be adapted to the agro-ecological environment, the cropping/farming systems, and the socio-economic conditions and educational level of the farmers in the areas where the FFS are to be implemented. Keywords: integrated soil management, nutrient management, soil conservation, farmer field schools Publication Series: AGL/Misc/27/2000 Credits: H. Nabhan, A. Bot, R.N. Roy Download (Size: 9167 KB) |      Technical contact        Guidelines for On-farm Plant Nutrition and Soil Management Trials and Demonstrations One of the goals of the Land and Water Development Division (AGL) is to alleviate the problems many countries face of low soil productivity and unsustainable land use. It seeks to achieve this by promoting, inter alia, integrated plant nutrition management, soil fertility enhancement, sound soil management, and soil and water conservation. An important task of the division is, therefore, to provide guidelines for the effective planning and sound management of land, water and plant nutrient resources in agriculture. To this end, this technical guide presents some aspects of effective planning for improved plant nutrition, soil fertility and soil management (that related to the selection of appropriate management practices through on-farm experimentation). The guide provides researchers with options for selection of sites, treatments, layout, experimental designs and methods of analysis. It also gives guidelines for the interpretation of results, and for drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on them. In addition, it emphasizes the importance of completing all stages of experimentation, including analysis, conclusions and recommendations, at the end of each season before the next crop. Publication Series: AGL/Misc/26/2000 Credits: R. Roy Download (Size: 1176 KB) |      Download (Size: 467 KB) |      Technical contact        Guidelines for Participatory Diagnosis of Constraints and Opportunities for Soil and Plant Nutrient Management These Guidelines cover the use of selected methods and tools of participatory diagnosis of constraints and opportunities (PDCO) at farm household and community levels in order to better understand farmers’ constraints for soil and plant nutrient management and promote their participation in finding solutions. PDCO, using selected participatory tools, will: •enhance awareness of improved soil and plant nutrient management techniques and practices, also learning from farmers’ knowledge and experience; •facilitate trust and communication-building between insiders and outsiders; and •contribute to the definition of shared development strategies tailored to site-specific problems and different socio-economic categories of farmers’ priorities. Publication Series: AGL/Misc/30/2000 Download (Size: 2193 KB) |      Technical contact        Guía para el manejo efficiente de la nutrición de las plantas Spanish version of "Guide to efficient plant nutrient management" Download (Size: 1476 KB) |      Technical contact        Integrated plant nutrition systems French version Download (Size: 59 KB) |      Download (Size: 85 KB) |        La economía de la productividad del suelo en el África subsahariana En esta publicación se presenta un análisis económico de la productividad de los suelos en el África subsahariana. La degradación creciente y la pérdida de fertilidad de estos suelos son factores importantes que dificultan el alivio de la pobreza y la consecución de la seguridad alimentaria. Reconociendo la gravedad del problema, el Banco Mundial, la FAO y organismos asociados están apoyando la implementación de programas nacionales de acción en el ámbito de la Iniciativa de fertilidad de suelos. Estudios realizados por centros de excelencia, donantes, universidades y organizaciones internacionales han aportado informaciones que permiten comprender mejor las cuestiones de fertilidad de los suelos desde una perspectiva técnica. El análisis económico del fenómeno de la degradación facilita la articulación de recomendaciones estratégicas y de política, que son de interés para los responsables de las políticas, planificadores y organismos que ejecutan programas de mejoramiento de la productividad de los suelos. Se debate también si la economía puede aportar una contribución para el logro de los objetivos de la seguridad alimentaria y de la agricultura sostenible. Download (Size: 73 KB) |      Technical contact        Les engrais et leurs applications Cette brochure présente des orientations sur l’utilisation des engrais pour les agents de vulgarisation. Elle explique qu’un développement agricole à même de contribuer à la sécurité alimentaire des populations et maintenir la productivité agricole des sols doit s’appuyer sur l’emploi des engrais minéraux. Elle traite du rôle de la fertilisation des cultures basée sur les caractéristiques du sol. Elle donne des recommandations générales en matière de fertilisation minérale de certaines cultures et contient des informations sur les analyses de sols et de plantes. Quelques suggestions pratiques sont également présentées sur les dispositifs pour conduire des démonstrations sur l’utilisation des engrais, et d’une façon générale, sont présentées des techniques pour la mise en œuvre d’actions de vulgarisation agricole. Keywords: engrais, sol, fertilisation, recommandations, fumure Download (Size: 1548 KB) |      Technical contact        Los aspectos económicos de la agricultura de conservación La agricultura de conservación es un nuevo enfoque para mejorar el uso de los recursos en un sistema de producción sostenible. Sus beneficios incluyen una reducción en la cantidad de insumos, productividades más estables, un intercambio mejorado de nutrientes del suelo y mejores perspectivas económicas a largo plazo. El estudio examina los factores financieros y no financieros que afectan a la adopción y el éxito de la agricultura de conservación a nivel de parcela, nacional y global. A la luz de la posible divergencia entre los intereses social y privado, se resalta la importancia de los objetivos y motivos de los agricultores, la dimensión colectiva y la función de las políticas relacionadas; y se recomienda el desarrollo de indicadores de sostenibilidad y un análisis integral de parcela para el análisis de políticas mejoradas e información para la toma de decisiones. Download (Size: 1286 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Los fertilizantes y su uso - Una guía de bolsillo para los oficiales de extensión Esta guía fue preparada originariamente para uso de los oficiales de extensión que trabajaban para el Programa de Fertilizantes de la FAO. La primera edición fue publicada en 1965, la tercera edición en 1978, y su reimpresión en 1986. Para esta nueva edición 2002, la mayor parte del texto de 1978 ha sido completamente revisado. La información sobre nuevos desarrollos técnicos y conocimientos ha sido incorporada. La guía explica la necesidad de los fertilizantes minerales, su rol en las plantas y las características del suelo que son importantes para la fertilización. Una nueva sección aporta las recomendaciones generales para cultivos seleccionados. El capítulo sobre «Cómo determinar las necesidades de fertilizantes» incluye información sobre los síntomas de deficiencia y análisis de suelo y de los tejidos de las plantas. Un capítulo es dedicado a explicar y dar sugerencias sobre la presentación de demostraciones de fertilizantes y de las técnicas de extensión en general. Las recomendaciones para cultivos seleccionados están basadas en gran parte en IFA «Manual Mundial sobre el Uso de Fertilizantes», 1992. Una información más detallada se encuentra en el Manual disponible en IFA, París. Inclusive la información mucho más completa dada en el Manual a menudo requerirá modificaciones por el usuario para tomar en cuenta las recomendaciones oficiales de los fertilizantes para los cultivos y suelos locales. Download (Size: 721 KB) |      Technical contact        Micronutrients Download (Size: 9230 KB) |      Technical contact        Méthodes de compostage au niveau de l'exploitation agricole Les problèmes liés à la productivité des sols et à la détérioration de l'environnement ont ravivé l'intérêt pour les pratiques de recyclage des matières organiques telles que le compostage. Le compostage offre des solutions très intéressantes permettant de transformer les déchets organiques de l'exploitation agricole en ressource. Un éventail d'approches de compostage pour diverses situations a été utilisé. Cependant, l'information relative aux méthodes rapides de compostage récemment mises au point, tout particulièrement celles destinées aux petits agriculteurs, reste éparpillée et a besoin d'être compilée. Cette publication présente un aperçu des méthodes de compostage au niveau de l'exploitation agricole, tout particulièrement les processus de compostage rapides. Elle vise à promouvoir l'adoption à grande échelle de technologies de compostage efficaces et rapides, en vue d'améliorer la productivité du sol dans les pays en développement tout en protégeant l'environnement. Publication Series: Land and Water Discussion Paper 2 Download (Size: 1515 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Near East feritilizer-use manual This manual addresses crop fertilizer application for the specific agriculturaland agronomic conditions in the Near East. Fertilizers continue to be the single most important agricultural input in the Region. Mineral fertilizers play an important role in raising agricultural productivity. The role of fertilizer application for crop quality increasingly adds importance. The manual provides up-to-date knowledge on plant nutrition aspects of the major crops in the Near East. These include field crops (cereals and food legumes), horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers), and industrial crops (edible oils and fibres). The manual provides practical fertilizer recommendations and up-to-date technology information to assist farmers in efficient crop production. Download (Size: 4086 KB) |      Technical contact        On-farm composting methods Soil productivity and environmental concerns have revived global interest in organic recycling practices such as composting. Composting is an attractive proposition for turning on-farm organic waste material into a valuable farm resource. A range of approaches to composting for different situations have been used. However, the information on recently evolved quick composting methodologies, especially those suited to small farmers, remains scattered and needs consolidation. The publication presents an overview of onfarm composting methodologies with special emphasis on rapid composting processes, and is intended to promote their wide-scale adoption with the ultimate objectives of improving soil productivity in developing countries and protecting the environment from degradation. Keywords: composting, on-farm Publication Series: Land and Water Discussion Paper 2 Download (Size: 4226 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Plant nutrition for food security - A guide for integrated nutrient management Food security is a major global concern. It depends to a considerable extent on efficient plant nutrition. Extensive information on various aspects of plant nutrition has been generated in the recent past. However, this information remains scattered in several publications. This bulletin provides comprehensive updated coverage of the key aspects of plant nutrition with special reference to integrated nutrient management for crop production. The topics covered include: present and future demand for plant nutrients; food security and agricultural production; plant nutrients and the basics of plant nutrition; soil fertility and crop production; sources of plant nutrients and soil amendments; optimizing plant nutrition; guidelines for the management of plant nutrients and their sources; nutrient management guidelines for major field crops; economic and policy issues of plant nutrition; plant nutrition, food quality and consumer health; and plant nutrition and environmental issues. Keywords: Soil fertility, plant nutrient management, food quality, environmental issues, human health Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 16 Download (Size: 4157 KB) |      Technical contact        Rural Service Centres in Sudan The projects involved building and directing the operations of rural service centres offering advice to farmers, access to agricultural inputs in specialized stores and to credit. Download (Size: 439 KB) |      Download (Size: 410 KB) |        Scaling soil nutrient balances - Enabling mesolevel applications for African realities Using data on three countries in sub-Saharan Africa, this report compares macrolevel and microlevel approaches to determining soil nutrient balances with an innovative mesolevel approach. It highlights the added value that a mesolevel approach can provide in terms of its usefulness to mesolevel stakeholders in articulating and targeting scale-specific soil fertility enhancing measures, and its validity as an entry point for policy-makers and private-sector intervention. Publication Series: Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin 15 Download (Size: 3995 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        Simple Soil, Water and Plant Testing Techniques for Soil Resource Management Publication Series: AGL/Misc/28/00 Download (Size: 3932 KB) |      Technical contact        Situación Actual y Perspectivas de los Fertilizantes en el Mundo hasta 2005/2006 Download (Size: 214 KB) |      Technical contact        Soil Physical Constraints to Plant Growth and Crop Production Publication Series: AGL/Misc/24/99 Credits: C.M.K. Gardner, K.B. Laryega, P.W. Unger Download (Size: 1651 KB) |      Technical contact        Soil and Nutrient Management in Sub-saharan Africa in Support of the Soil Fertility Initiative Publication Series: AGL/Misc/31/01 Download (Size: 2055 KB) |      Technical contact        Stratégies en matière d’engrais French version of 'Fertilizer Strategies' Download (Size: 1295 KB) |      Technical contact        Tendances Actuelles du Marché Mondial des Engrais et Perspectives jusqu'en 2009/2010 Ce rapport présente les projections de l’offre et de la demande mondiales à moyen terme pour les engrais azotés, phosphatés et potassiques pour la période allant de 2004/05 à 2009/10. Download (Size: 380 KB) |      Technical contact        Tendencias actuales y perspectivas de los fertilizantes en el mundo al 2009/2010 En este informe se presentan la oferta de fertilizantes de nitrógeno, fosfato y potasio a medio plazo y las proyecciones de demanda para el periodo 2004/05-2009/10. Download (Size: 373 KB) |      Technical contact        The Economics of Conservation Agriculture Conservation agriculture is an innovative approach for improving resource use in sustainable production. Its benefits include reduced inputs, more stable yields, improved soil nutrient exchange and enhanced long-run profitability. This study examines the financial and non-financial factors that affect the adoption and success of conservation agriculture at farm, national and global levels. Download (Size: 1024 KB) |      Read document on-line      Technical contact        The Economics of Conservation Agriculture (Arabic Version) Download (Size: 265 KB) |