Nutrient Use Efficiency and Effectiveness in North America: Indices of Agronomic and Environmental Benefit

MINERAL FERTILIZERS have made it possible to sustain the world’s growing population, sparing millions of acres of natural and ecologically-sensitive systems that otherwise would have been converted to agriculture. Today, economic and environmental challenges are driving increased interest in nutrient use efficiency. Higher prices for both crops and fertilizers have heightened interest in efficiency-improving technologies and practices that also improve productivity. In addition, nutrient losses that harm air and water quality can be reduced by improving use efficiencies of nutrients, particularly for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).

The world’s population, growing in both numbers and purchasing power, is projected to consume more food, feed, fiber, and fuel—increasing global demand for fertilizer nutrients. Since fertilizers are made from non-renewable resources, pressure to increase their use efficiencies will continue. At the same time, efforts should increase to enhance fertilizer use effectiveness for improved productivity and profitability of cropping systems.