Defra Report
summarises changes in N and P soil balances between 1990 and 2009
Soil Nutrient balances have been calculated by Defra for England and the UK for the years 1990, 1995 and 2000-2009. Soil surface balances are the difference between inputs (inorganic fertiliser, manure, N fixation etc.) and offtakes (Crop uptake, grass and fodder eaten). The key findings are:
- Nitrogen soil surface balances have fallen from ~140 kg/ha in 1990 to ~80 kg/ha in 2009, this was not due to a fall in agricultural area since the corresponding fall was 0.2% for the same period.
- Nitrogen soil surface balance has fallen by 22% in the UK between 2000 and 2009, and 20% in England for the same period.
- The steady decrease in nitrogen soil surface balance has been driven by reduced inorganic fertiliser applications and livestock manures although reduced N removed in forage somewhat offset the decrease.
- Nitrogen Use Efficiency is showing a positive (upwards) trend i.e. efficiency of N use in agriculture is increasing.
- Phosphorus soil surface balance has fallen by 54% in the UK between 2000 and 2009, and 64% in England for the same period.
- Most of the reduction in phosphorus soil surface balance has taken place since 2007 and is a result of a reduction in inorganic fertiliser applications (in 2009) and increased off-take in harvested crops since the removal of set-aside.
Read the full report and an explanation of the methodology by visiting the Defra Statistics page under "Related Links".
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