Stewardship Specifics

Crop Plants Take Up (Absorb) Nutrients in Inorganic Form

Except for potassium (K), all the other nutrients contained in any organic source remain unavailable for crop use until the material is decomposed (mineralized), releasing its nutrients to the inorganic soil pool.

Organic or Inorganic: Which Nutrient Source is Better for Plants?

Neither organic nor inorganic (manufactured or mineral) nutrient sources are better for plants. Both have their places and should be used wherever appropriate.

Crop Fertilization Improves Soil Quality

One of the greatest benefits of crop fertilization, aside from increasing crop yields and improving farmer profit potential, is its effect on soil organic matter.

Nutrient Balance: Critical to Crop Production and Environmental Protection

People and plants both need balanced nutrition for normal growth and good health.

Nutrient Balance Can Be Achieved Using Both Inorganic and Organic Sources

Using both inorganic and organic sources, farmers can provide balanced nutrition necessary to achieve high crop yields while protecting the environment.

Nutrient Use and Beneficial Soil Organisms

Research has confirmed that indiscriminate use of both mineral fertilizers and animal manures may result in a decline in the numbers of beneficial organisms in the soil.

Crop Fertilization and Heavy Metal Accumulation in Soils

In past years, there were reports of heavy metal contamination in fertilizers manufactured from industrial byproducts. This practice of selling contaminated fertilizers is now prohibited.

Crop Fertilization and Water Quality

Appropriate crop fertilization and water quality protection can go hand in hand by using 4R Nutrient Stewardship.

Managing Nitrogen to Meet Crop Demands while Protecting Water

It is impossible to grow enough food to meet ever-increasing world demands without N fertilization. Fertilizer N can be managed precisely, resulting in an N supply that can be targeted to meet crop demands.

Phosphorus Fertilization and Environmental Protection

Management techniques are available to correct problems arising from excessively high soil P levels. There is no reason why P fertilization and environmental protection can't go hand in hand.

Crop Production and Environmental Protection

As farm yields continue to increase, so does the efficiency of fertilizer use.

Human Health and the Use of Animal Manure in Crop Production

Animal manure may carry pathogens that present dangers to human health. But with proper management, manure can be an excellent plant nutrient source.

Ag-lime...It's Good for the Environment

Ag-lime does more than simply increase soil pH. It also improves the soil's productivity and in so doing helps protect the environment.

Crop Fertilization and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Liquid manure often has much greater rates of nitrous oxide loss than fertilizer. But careful fertilizer management can help to eliminate most associated losses of greenhouse gases.

Crop Fertilization Helps Stabilize Carbon in the Soil

There is strong evidence that there is a relatively stable sink of carbondioxide in North America.

Does Fertilizer Harm Soil Microbes?

Soil microbes depend on plants for their nourishment. Fertilizers that nourish plants also nourish the biology of the soil.

Soil Nitrate and Leaching

An effective way to minimize nitrate leaching is to match fertilizer additions to the rate of plant nutrient uptake.

Managing Manure to Protect the Environment from Contaminants−an Emerging Issue

Agricultural management practices determine to a large extent the fate and transport of these contaminants.

Nitrous Oxide: Reducing Emissions From Fertilizer and Manure Nitrogen

It is possible to improve crop recovery of applied N and reduce the risks for environmental N losses through careful soil and crop management, and a keen understanding of N loss pathways.

Fertilizers to Enhance Water Productivity

Water is a scarce resource and getting the most out of every drop is critical to production of food, feed, fiber, and energy.