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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #271295
Title: Evaluation of phosphorus and nitrogen balances as an indicator for the impact of agriculture on environment a comparison of case studies from Poland and the Mississippi US

Author
item GAJ, RENATA - Poznan University Of Life Sciences
item Bellaloui, Nacer

Submitted to: Agricultural Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2011
Publication Date: 3/1/2012
Citation: Gaj, R., Bellaloui, N. 2012. Evaluation of phosphorus and nitrogen balances as an indicator for the impact of agriculture on environment a comparison of case studies from Poland and the Mississippi US. Agricultural Sciences. 3(2):317-329.

Interpretive Summary: Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are essential nutrients for crop growth, yield, and quality. However, excessive amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers or runoffs of these nutrients can cause environmental contamination. Therefore, the objective of this research was to quantify the changes of nitrogen and phosphorus balances in Poland and Mississippi. Nutrient balances were calculated as the difference between input and output in the agricultural system according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) methodology. A positive nutrient balance means that a potential environmental problem may result from that nutrient; a negative nutrient balance means there is a potential yield loss or nutrient deficiency. This research was a collaborative effort between the Poznan University, Poland and USDA-ARS in Stoneville, MS. The N and P soil surface balances for Poland and Mississippi were calculated for the year 1998 through 2008. The results showed that both Mississippi and Poland had positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances, indicating that there was a surplus of N and P. The average balance for N was 48 kilograms (kg) per hectare (43 pounds per hectare) in Poland and 102 kg per hectare (91 pounds per hectare) in Mississippi. For P, it was 3 kg per hectare (2.7 pounds per acre) in Poland and 19 kg P per hectare (17 pound per hectare) in Mississippi per cultivated area. This research demonstrated that the nutrient balance of N or P depended on the efficient use of each nutrient and type of fertilizer source used. This research is significant for nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer management and their impact on agriculture production and environment health.

Technical Abstract: The objective of the research was to quantify the changes of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances in Poland and Mississippi (MS). Nutrient balances were calculated as difference between input and output in the agricultural system according to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) methodology. A positive nutrient balance means that a potential environmental problem may result from that nutrient; a negative nutrient balance means there is a potential yield loss. The N and P soil surface balances for Poland and MS were calculated for the year 1998 through 2008. The results showed that both MS and Poland had positive N and P balances, indicating that there was a surplus of N and P. The average balance for N was 48 kg•ha-1 in Poland and 102 kg•ha-1 in MS. For P, it was 3 kg•ha-1 in Poland and 19 kg P kg•ha-1 in MS per cultivated area. This research demonstrated that the nutrient balance of N or P depended on the efficient use of each nutrient and type of fertilizer source used. This research is significant for N and P fertilizer management and their impact on agriculture production and environment health.