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Fertiliser Application to Crops and Grass: 13 1986-2007
Overall application rate of fertiliser (kg/ha)
Overall application rate of fertiliser (kg/ha) 14 |
| 1986 | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|
Nitrogen (N) | 120 | 122 | 124 | 118 | 102 | 99 | 90 |
|---|
Phosphate (P 2O 5) | 42 | 43 | 45 | 42 | 35 | 33 | 32 |
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Potash (K 2O) | 43 | 50 | 48 | 47 | 40 | 42 | 40 |
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Fertilisers contain nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which improve plant growth and crop yields. The inappropriate or mistimed use of fertilisers may cause nutrient enrichment and eutrophication of waters. Excess nitrates in drinking water are also a danger to human health. The EC Nitrates Directive (91/676/ EEC) provides a framework to protect water bodies from agricultural nitrate pollution. This includes the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, where mandatory practices of fertiliser use are implemented.
Changes in overall application rate are due to changes in either the proportion of crop area treated or average rate of application, or both. Weather and economic factors may contribute to changes in fertiliser use. For example the change to winter barley instead of spring barley resulted in increased application rates.
Between 1986 and 2007, overall phosphate and potash application rates have been relatively stable, although both have seen a decline in recent years. Overall nitrogen application rates have declined since 2001 reflecting a longer term reduction in application rates to grassland and a recent reduction for tillage crops.
Source: Scottish Government15
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