New 4R Nutrient Stewardship Style Guide

The fertilizer industry, agronomists, consultants, farmers, and policymakers from around the world are starting to recognize the 4Rs as the basis for fertilizer best management practices. The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) have prepared a style guide describing terminology related to the 4R nutrient stewardship concept. The intent is to help those employing 4Rs to be more consistent in the terminology used in nutrient management education and research programs, and the development of policy.

You may download your copy of the New 4R Nutrient Stewardship Style Guide by clicking on the PDF icon below.






2009 IPNI Program Report

"With the right tools, We can feed the World!" That optimistic theme is the title of the 2009 Program Report from the International Plant Nutrition Institute. The special publication features more than 40 pages packed with information and photos, which bring to life the work of the scientific staff of the Institute in the various IPNI program regions around the world. The accomplishments of work groups in the organization's key thematic areas are highlighted and reports on global food security contain numerous success stories, along with insights into ongoing challenges. Summaries on research support, publications, presentations, awards, communications, educational tools, and much more can be found in the publication.

You may download a copy of the 2009 IPNI Program Report by clicking on the PDF icon below (Note: the file size is 11.5 MB).






The Food Crisis Has Not Gone Away

May 29, 2009 — Shanghai, China — Scientists of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) reported to the organization’s Board of Directors on their continued efforts in addressing world food security at a recent meeting in Shanghai, China. With agronomic programs in North and South America, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, China, India, Southeast Asia, and soon Oceania, IPNI scientists are focused on producing more food through more efficient use of fertilizers.

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Crop Nutrition With Lower Emission of Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is one of several greenhouse gases considered responsible for the warming trend in the climate. Pound for pound, it is deemed about 300 times more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Experts recently agreed on a new approach to fertilizer stewardship to limit its emission.

Greenhouse gas inventories for the USA and Canada currently estimate that nitrous oxide from agricultural soils contributes about 3.5% of their total greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions in this category are considered to arise from application of fertilizers and manures, from organic materials in and on soils, and indirectly from N losses. Direct emissions from fertilizer application comprise roughly one-quarter of this category. Better management of N fertilizer could reduce the direct emissions of nitrous oxide—equivalent to 55 million metric tons (M t) of carbon dioxide—and also some of the even larger indirect emissions.

Farmers can achieve better management through implementation of 4R fertilizer stewardship, applying the right source at the right rate, right time, and right place. This approach starts with the definition of economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals. The 4Rs describe site-specific practices—based on sound agronomic principles and supported by objective research results—that contribute to the defined goals.

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Many growers across North America have faced tough choices on cutting back or even eliminating application of key nutrients, particularly K. Of course, the question of the impact of this decision on crop yields depends on several factors.

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