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Lecture 36

Environmental Issues Related to the Use of Fertilizers


There are concerns, both genuine and modern, high yielding cropping systems are harmful to
the soil environment and as a consequence, only conventional agriculture production is
sustainable, Results from long term fertilizer experiments, designed to assess the influence of
fertilization on various soil properties in relation to sustainable yields, tend to dispel such
concerns. For example some researchers in J apan reveals that NPK fertilization did not
negatively affect physical, chemical, and biological soil properties and yields were increased and
maintained at levels double those of unfertilized soils. NPK fertilizers, organic materials, and soil
amendments have resulted in additional yield increases. While the relative merits of fertilizer use
and the sustainability of agriculture are subject to debate, it is evident that the potential adverse
impact of fertilizer use practices for both organic and chemical fertilizers can be minimized and
the sustainability of agriculture enhanced by increased environmental sensitivity.
1. Soil Protection by Nutrient Balance
Nitrogen forms a part of chlorophyll, the focal element in plant photosynthesis. Nitrogen is
needed in DNA and RNA for storing and processing genetic information, in the amino acids that
control all the transformations in the living world.
Phosphorus is involved in a wide range of plant processes-from permitting cell division to the
development of a good root system to ensuring timely and uniform ripening of the crop. It is
needed primarily by young, fast growing tissues and performs a number of functions related to
growth, development, photosynthesis, and use of carbohydrates. It is a constituent of ADP and
ATP, two of the most important substance in the life processes.
Gains and losses of nutrients in natural ecosystems are roughly in balance so that continued
biological growth or net fixation of carbon depends upon the cycling of nutrients between the
biomass and the organic and inorganic stores. Removing or harvesting portions of the biomass
from the ecosystem without replacing the nutrients contained in the harvested biomass fraction
ultimately, depletes one or more of the nutrients. Consequently, the biological yields are reduced.
It is obvious that nutrients are lost in the ecosystem through crop removal, leaching,
denitrification, volatilization, and erosion.
Nutrient removal by the crop is the largest factor accounting for nutrient deletion from well
managed crops. Fertilization practices are generally targeted to replenishing these nutrients
consistent with economic considerations.
Leaching is a serious factor in all light-textured and well-drained soils. Leaching primarily
affects potassium, magnesium, and calcium but can also be a factor for other nutrients, in
particular, boron and nitrogen.
Denitrification occurs as a result of the conversion of nitrate N into nitrous oxide and
nitrogen. Under poorly aerated conditions where an initially well-aerated soil becomes wet and
poorly aerated, losses of N can be large.
Volatilization only affects ammonia. Losses can be very high where ammonia or ammonia-
producing fertilizers are improperly applied.
Erosion is the largest single factor responsible for soil degradation, including nutrient loss.
Phosphorus is the nutrient most affected by erosion.
Nutrient depletion and soil fertility can result in degradation of the environment. Depletion of
soil nutrients is a worldwide concern.
The application of fertilizers to protect the soil from depletion and to enhance the
environment requires that several conditions be fulfilled:
Nutrient ratio, e.g., proper fertilizer quantity.
Ratio of biomass: mineral fertilizers.
Time of fertilizer application.
Consequences of plant nutrient mismanagement for the environment at the farm level result from
plant nutrient transfer out of the soil/crop system, and induce harmful modification of the
conditions prevailing in the system affected by those transfers:

Nitrogen in the surface water: quality of the drinking water eutrophication
Nitrogen in ground water: quality of drinkable water
Phosphorus in surface water: eutrophication
Greenhouse gases to atmosphere: theoretical climate change
2. Nutrient Ratio
The soil provides at least 13 essential nutrients to the plants, partly from its own resources
partly by channeling nutrients added through fertilizers, manures, and other sources. All of these
nutrients are needed in the specific proportions to satisfy demand of different plants.
Nitrogen is the nutrient most widely deficient, and its initial application often results in very
large yield increases. However, nitrogen application does not contribute to a buildup of soil
fertility. On the contrary, the unbalanced use of nitrogen relative to other nutrients is currently
causing soil nutrient depletion. It has been shown that application of 174kg/ha of N increased the
rice yield by a factor of 2.9, 3.7, and 4.6, respectively.
On the other hand, a deficit of P in soil can reduce nitrogen efficiency. In addition, inadequate
supplies of P may lead to higher amounts of nitrate carryover in the soil and increase the
probability of nitrate leaching into groundwater. On a large number of trails there were no
responses to K in the absence of P application. Negative interaction between P and Zn is
observed where high levels of P application reduce the concentration of available Zn; therefore, a
balance of all nutrients must be ensured by good soil management.
3. Ratio of Biomass to Mineral Fertilizers
The sources of nitrogen for nutrients are soil, water, atmosphere and biomass and farmyard
manures (FYM).
The sources of nitrogen for worldwide crop production are given. Soils are the source of
multiple nutrients; however, resources of nutrients in the soil are always limited and must be
supplemented. The atmosphere supplies some nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and chlorides near ocean
shores. Water supplies some quantities of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. All of these
sources should be considered in the selection of soil management practices.
Organic fertilizers (biomass and FYM) are important elements of the nutrient contribution.
The organic matter that is applied has a very complex effect on soils and plant growth. In
general, the effects are as follows:
Improvement of the soil physical properties (better soil structure, water holding
capacity, soil aeration, buffering soil surface temperature, erosion reduction, etc).
Improvement of chemical properties (supply of nutrients in balanced ratios, slow
release of nutrients, etc.).
Improvement of the soils biological activity (stimulation of soil flora fauna).
However, the amount of biomass and FYM is limited, and with increasing urbanization
more and more organic matter is not recycled to the farm site.
The substitution of the present supply of mineral fertilizers by FYM would require a fourfold
increase of the livestock worldwide. This is not possible due to the limitation of the feed
available, and it is not advisable because of environmental pollution. For example, some
European countries have developed very large livestock herds based on imported feed, and
manures from concentrated production have resulted in incidences of water and air pollution.
This has led the European Community to limit the number of livestock per hectare of land.
Application of organic matter as a fertilizer has some negative aspects:
Under continuously reducing conditions (poorly drained rice fields) organic acids
and other organic products nay retard plant growth.
City compost and sewage slurries may be contaminated by the toxic organic
compounds and heavy metals.
FYM is a source of cadmium.
Heavy use of FYM may cause bacterial pollution of groundwater and
eutrophication of surface waters.
The application of biomass requires transportation and disposal of large volumes;
thus, it is a labor and energy intensive operation.

4. Adequate Time of Application of Fertilizers
Over their cycle plants require different nutrients with varying intensity; when the supply
does not cover the demand, yields are lower and in case of oversupply the unused part of
nutrients may pollute the environment, e.g., there is generally no agronomic reason to exceed
150kg/ha of N in grain production. From an environmental perspective it is risky to apply more
than 200kg/ha of N under some countries climatic conditions.
Plant nutrient supply from various sources should cover immediate plant nutrient demand. If
the risks from leaching, volatilization, denitrification, or fixations are high, such as in rainy,
tropical climates, it is important to operate in a supply/demand mode rather than in terms of total
nutrient doses. The uptake of nutrients by cereals during their developmental phases is given.
Daily uptake of N shows an important increase between tillering and jointing in the amount
of 6.4kg/ha/day of N. the second crucial period is between panicle initiation and flowering
(demand equals 1.6-1.8kg/N/ha/day of N).
Phosphorus demand grows after sucker settlement; however, to produce rich roots phosphorus
is necessary from the very beginning. Between half-time tillering and joining and the preparatory
phase of panicle initiation, the demand is about 1kg/ha/day of the P
2
O
5
. After flowering,
initiation and grain growth, the demand is 0.2-0.3kg/ha/day of the P
2
O
5.

The consumption of K
2
O takes place during the first 2 weeks, and supply must reach
15kg/ha/day of K
2
O.

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