Rob Norton, Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand. Better Crops, p, Better Environment through Science

Transcription

1 IPNI Overview Rob Norton, Regional Director, Australia and New Zealand Better Crops, p, Better Environment through Science April 2011

2 Establishment and Foundation Potash Institute and then Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) trace back to 1930 s in Canada. IPNI officially began operations January 1, Inclusion of N producers Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI) ceased to exist. PPI s Board committed its scientific staff to IPNI. Not-for-profit international decentralized NGO. Supported by leading fertilizer manufacturers. Australia & New Zealand program began October, 2009.

3 IPNI Member Companies & Affiliates

4 Nutrient Management in Horticulture Nutrients are a relatively minor cost Importance in terms of Product quality Upside risk v down side risk Environmental impact

5 Nutrient and sediment loss from horticulture Runoff from a small vegetable production enterprise in the Hawkesbury catchment (NSW). Measured water, N and P loss from the study area. Over 2 years losses were: 19 t sediment/ha/y sediment (1 topsoil) 11 kg P/ha/y (on soil) 127 kg N/ha/y (in water) Bareness over summer and large nutrient loads associated with high losses. E. Hollinger et al. / Agricultural Water Management 47 (2001) 227±241

6 Nutrient Imbalances a big part of the challenge in an open system Vitousek et al., 2009, Science

7 BMPs related to nutrients Fertilizer best management practices, integrated plant nutrient management, integrated soil fertility management, code of best agricultural practices, sitespecific nutrient management, etc. Goal ensure plant nutrients are use efficiently and effectively in ways that are beneficial to society without adversely impacting our environment

8 Global Framework For Fertilizer BMPs ECONOMIC Profitability Productivity Cropping System Sustainability Biophysical & Social Environment ECOLOGICAL SOCIAL

9 4R Nutrient Stewardship The 4Rs are the foundation and guiding principles of nutrient BMPs (Roberts 2007) Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place system 4 R s approach as a summary Evaluate impact of the BMP on Productivity, Profitability, Sustainability & Environment Mechanism basic research Validation applied research Recognition of risks Performance indicators Dynamic feedback from the practical level

10 4R Nutrient Stewardship Crops & Soils 42(2): Mar-Apr 2009 Crops & Soils 42(3): May-Jun 2009 Crops & Soils 42(4): Jul-Aug 2009 Crops & Soils 42(5): Sep-Oct 2009 Know Your Fertilizer Rights: Right Place by T.S. Murrell (IPNI), G.P. Lafond (AAFC), and T.J. Vyn (Purdue U.) Crops & Soils 42(6): Nov-Dec 2009

11 The basic scientific principles of managing crop nutrients ti t are universal 1. Supply in plant available forms 2. Suit soil properties 3. Recognize synergisms among elements 4. Blend compatibility 1A 1. Appropriately itl assess soil nutrient supply 2. Assess all available indigenous nutrient sources 3. Assess plant demand 4. Predict fertilizer use efficiency 1. Assess timing of crop uptake 2. Assess dynamics of soil nutrient supply 3. Recognize timing of weather factors 4. Evaluate logistics of operations 1. Recognize root-soil dynamics 2. Manage spatial variability 3. Fit needs of tillage system 4. Limit potential off-field transport

12 Global Framework For Fertilizer BMPs Quality Resource use Energy efficiencies: Labor Nutrient Water Yield Productivity Nutrient balance Nutrient loss Soil erosion Biodiversity Ecosystem services ECONOMIC Net profit Return on investment Profitability Adoption Source ECOLOGICAL Rate Time Place Biophysical & Social Environment SOCIAL Soil productivity Cropping System Sustainability Yield stability Farm income Working conditions Water & air quality

13 Importance of nutrient stewardship Manage or be managed Regulations on nutrient management Reef Regulations on sugar industry in the wet tropics Use of soluble P fertilizers on the Swan coastal plain. Fertilizer management in the Mississippi Basin Regulations on N use on particular dairy pastures in New Zealand. Industry BMP s aim to describe, educate and then benchmark nutrient management.

14 Concluding Comments Right source, right rate, right time, and right place is a simple slogan that integrates a century of science and experience into nutrient stewardship. Who decides what is right? Who decides the best application, best method of placement, or best nutrient source? There is no right answer right must be site-specific, dictated not only by soil and environmental conditions, but by social and environmental concerns and objectives. Research backstops the principles of 4Rs with science Research backstops the principles of 4Rs with science, but the stakeholders decide what is right.

15 i t Better Crops, Better Environment through Science