Fertilizer Use & the Environment

How can fertilizer be used properly and still protect the environment?

During the past decade, increasing concerns have been expressed over the effects of man's activities on our environment - on our soils, our waters and the air we breathe. Agricultural practices and, in particular, fertilizer use and the potential entry of various nutrients into our water systems have been an area of valid concern. One might ask why a single family with only a home lawn or garden should be concerned about the effects of their activities on ground water pollution. The reason for concern is that the effects are not always confined to their land. Soil is a common pathway to groundwater, and soil characteristics determine the rate at which chemicals move through it. Once contaminants reach groundwater, they can travel long distances with the water. Thus, you should be sensitive to the off-site effects caused by the whole neighborhood's activities.
All the essential plant nutrients are involved with the quality of our environment. Collectively, they enhance both the productive potential and environmental integrity of farm enterprises when used in adequate and balanced amounts and when used in conjunction with other Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Plant nutrients which account for, at least, 35 percent of plant growth and yield are prime factors in promoting vigorous plant growth. The existence of a close relationship between fertilizer consumption levels and agricultural productivity has been established beyond doubt. Amongst the various agricultural inputs, fertilizer perhaps next only to water, contributes the most to increasing agriculture production.
Although the essential plant nutrients play a vital role in providing adequate food supplies and protecting our environment, some pose an environmental risk with improper management. Of the three major nutrients, the two nutrients most often associated with mismanagement and source environmental concerns are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). There are environmental concerns that need to be taken into consideration when using fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorous.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the most mobile element in soil. Many sources of fertilizer N are converted rapidly to soluble nitrate Nitrogen. The formation of nitrates is an integral part of nitrogen cycle in our environment. In moderate amounts, nitrate is a harmless constituent of food and water. Plants use nitrates from the soil to satisfy nutrient requirements and may accumulate nitrate in leaves and stems. Due to its high solubility, this form is not held by soil particles and is subject to leaching and downward movement within the soil whereby it may contaminate our wells and groundwater. Alternatively, it may be lost by runoff of surface waters and enter our streams and rivers. High nitrate level in water can cause blue baby syndrome, a condition especially found in infants less than six months old. The stomach acid of infants is not as strong as older children and adults, which causes an increase in bacteria that can readily convert nitrate to nitrite (NO2). Therefore not let infants consume water. Nitrite is absorbed in the blood, and hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying component of blood) is converted to methemoglobin. This does not carry oxygen efficiently. This results in reduced oxygen supply to vital tissues such as the brain. Severe methemoglobinimia can result in brain damage and death. The maximum contaminant level in drinking water as nitrate is 45 mg/liter.
Phosphorous
Phosphorus is held strongly by soil surfaces but is transported by soil particles and enters our waterways when soil erosion occurs. When phosphate is applied to soils, it binds to the soil particles. It becomes highly resistant to leaching or washing through the soil profile. Soil bound phosphate becomes a problem when the soil erodes into the surface water. Problems also arise when fertilizer is spilt onto hard surfaces or applied to frozen ground. This washes with rain or snowmelt into storm drains and lakes. Due to these reasons phosphate is now become a major pollution concern in our lakes and streams. This is because high levels of phosphate support over-production of algae and waterweeds. This excess growth in plant material can cause numerous problems, namely the reduction of oxygen which can lead to fish kills.
In general any fertilizer in any form, whether it is organic or synthetic, can harm the environment if misused. Whether you're using cow manure or commercial fertilizer, you need to take precautions to protect the environment. Proper fertilization leads to healthy plants and reduces the chance of fertilizers reaching our groundwater. Research has shown a properly fertilized crop actually reduces the amount of nitrate and phosphates in the groundwater because Proper fertilization promotes a more vigorous, healthy and productive crop. A vigorously growing plant means one which develops greater root systems, more above-ground residue, sustained green top growth, quicker ground cover, greater water use efficiency, greater nutrient efficiency, and higher resistance to crop stresses caused by drought, pests, cold temperatures, or delayed planting. A vigorously growing crop is the single best defense against nutrient losses.
How can fertilizer be used properly and still protect the environment?
There are several things to keep in mind to protect the environment when using fertilizer:
1. Uses only the nutrients necessary - get a soil test. Soil testing is the only ways that you will know what nutrients are in soil and how much they are present in soil. If you have sufficient amounts of elements such as phosphorus (> 25 ppm) and potassium (>125 ppm), then there is no need in applying these nutrients. The only way that you will know this is by testing the soil. GROTEK is going to offer farmers, home gardeners/hobby gardeners a complete solution for their nutrient management. We will provide not only the soil test results but will also give the recommendation of fertilizer for plants to be grown on that soil.
2. Know the nutrient needs of your crop. More is not better with fertilizers - do not over fertilize. For example if your lawn need 4 pounds of nitrogen per thousand square feet, then only apply 4 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet. Any more than this will not do any good and will most likely not be used. Unused fertilizer can be washed away into lakes, rivers and streams or leached into ground water. Study the crop you're growing and learn about its nutrient needs. Use this knowledge plus information from your soil test to determine the amount of fertilizer to apply.
3. Use lime stone in the interest of increasing fertilizer efficiency and thereby reducing rates of application.
4. Do not put fertilizer over snow. It will wash away with melting snow or leached down with excess water.
5. Avoid using fertilizer near stream zones, shore lines and on saturated soils.
6. Do not over water after fertilization. Follow up fertilizer applications with a light irrigation - A light irrigation is good to activate the fertilizer, but a heavy rain or irrigation can leach or wash away nutrients. Keep this in mind when applying fertilizer. 7. Apply at the proper time when plant needs it. Do not routinely apply fertilizer when it may not be needed. Have a good reason for using it. In general mostly apply fertilizers in spring and early fall - When plants need it. For example if you need to apply 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet on your lawn, apply in 4 splits. First in April (1/2 lb), 2nd in May (1 lb), 3rd in June - July (1 lb) and last one in September - October (1/2 lb).
8. Take extra precautions on slopes - Applying fertilizers on slopes can lead to the washing away of nutrients. This is how most of these nutrients wind up into our surface waters. Take precautions to control your runoff from your property. Do not allow your fertilizer to drift onto the streets because this fertilizer will certainly make its way into the storm drains. Above all, control soil erosion. Elements that are tightly held by the soil, make there way into the surface waters on soil that is washed away. Phosphorus is an example of this type of element.
9. If you use organic fertilizer sources, have them tested - Like the soil, or get it from a reliable source that certified the nutrient contents in the bag. GROTEK is always trying its best to provide its customers the value for their money. Our products are certified and have the same nutrient concentration which is shown on the label.
10. Apply fertilizers only to healthy plants or reduce the amount to unhealthy plants - An unhealthy plant or in the case of a crop, poor plant stand, is not going to use as much nutrient as a healthy crop. Applying the same amount of fertilizer to an unhealthy plant can lead to unused fertilizer and can also harm the plant? Find out what is causing the problem. Fertilizer may not be the solution and if applied, could lead to polluting the environment.
11. Store your fertilizer materials properly - Keep your fertilizer sources from being washed away by rains. Keep them under a shelter and off of the ground so the nutrients would not get caught in rain water runoff.
12. Plant debris and compost is a source of nutrients - Remember that your crop residue left over from last year, mulch and compost contain plant nutrients. These nutrients can also get into the environment as well. When deciding the amount of fertilizer to apply, take into consideration the nutrients from these sources and reduce the amount of fertilizer that you apply.
13. Break up fertilizer applications on sandy soils - Nutrients leach very readily on sandy soils. If you apply more than the plant can use at the time, one good rain or irrigation can leach the nutrients down below the plant roots before it can use them. On sandy soils, break up fertilizer applications into several smaller applications instead of a few larger applications.
14. Keep soil erosion to a minimum through use of crop rotations, cover crops and minimal production of intertilled crops on soils with significant slopes.
Protecting the environment concerns all of us. Don't contribute to the problem by misusing fertilizer. Follow the above steps to keep your fertilizer where it belongs, in the plant, not in our surface and ground waters.