Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan

Transcription

1 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan Prior to independence the monoculture of cotton has led to serious problems of land degradation in Uzbekistan and to the environmental catastrophe of the Aral Sea. Since independence, priority has been given to the diversification of agricultural production and self-sufficiency in cereals has now been achieved. Farming, although not land ownership, has been privatized. This study describes the agro-ecological and farming conditions of the country, cropping, and the use of fertilizers and manures. TC/D/Y4711E/1/6.03/450

2 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service Land and Water Development Division FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2003

3 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan First version, published by FAO, Rome, 2003 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Viale delle Terme di Caracalla Rome, Italy Tel.: +(39) Fax: +(39) Web site: All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the cop y right holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing Management Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy or by to copyright@fao.org FAO 2003

4 Abstract Uzbekistan is divided into 12 oblasts or provinces and the autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic. Agriculture accounts for 26 percent of the country s GDP. The total land area of Uzbekistan amounts to 44.9 million ha, of which 23.5 million ha are in pasture. A total of 4.3 million ha are irrigated, of which 3.3 million ha are irrigated arable land and one million ha irrigated pasture. There is a rainfed arable area of 0.8 million ha. Yields in the rainfed area are low but the area makes an important contribution to national grain production. Prior to independence the monoculture of cotton led to problems of land degradation. Cotton production has since fallen and there has been a substantial expansion in the grain area and production. This has permitted a large reduction in grain imports. The country is divided into three climatic zones, northern, central and southern. Information on the soils and land quality in each zone is given. Since independence, a new agricultural structure has been put into place. The family dekhan farms account for more than 60 percent of the agricultural production. Statistics are given on fertilizer nutrient consumption in each province. Fertilizer consumption has fallen in Uzbekistan but much less than in most other states of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Statistics are given on the rates of nutrients applied to cotton and cereals. In general, the rates are now mostly lower than those recommended, especially for phosphate and potash. The contribution of nutrients from organic manures is discussed.

5 iv Acknowledgements This study is based on the work of Prof. Abdi-Kadir Ergashev, Head of the Agro-ecology Laboratory, Samarkand Agricultural Institute, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The study benefited from the contributions of K. Isherwood, J. Poulisse and T. van den Bergen (FAO). The cover photographs were provided by A.L. Anderberg (alfalfa), C. Borgemeister (wheat) and H.V. Duthurbura (cotton). The source of these photographs is EcoPort (Portal to Ecology Management). The source of the background photograph is The world s major fibre crops, their cultivation and manuring (Centre d étude de l azote).

6 v Contents ABSTRACT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS viii 1. INTRODUCTION 8 Agricultural structure AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES AND LAND QUALITY 7 Agro-ecological zones 7 Land quality 9 The Aral Sea THE FERTILIZER SECTOR 15 Mineral fertilizer products 15 Fertilizer production and exports 16 Manufacturers of fertilizers in Uzbekistan 16 Fertilizer consumption 16 Nitrification inhibitors FERTILIZER USE BY CROP ORGANIC MANURES 25 BIBLIOGRAPHY 27 ANNEX SOIL TYPES IN UZBEKISTAN 29 iii iv vi vii

7 vi List of figures 1. Dominant soil map of Uzbekistan 8 2. Agricultural area 9 3. Cotton and wheat production, 1992 to Number of different types of farms Land of different qualities in Uzbekistan 11

8 vii List of tables 1. Distribution of irrigated arable land in Uzbekistan 9 2. Land allocated to farmers Types and numbers of private farms Land suitable for irrigation 9 5. Quality of land suitable for irrigation Areas of land of different qualities by region Average grades of land by region Delivery of mineral fertilizers to agriculture Average standard rates of fertilizer application for the main agricultural crops Main crops: use of mineral fertilizers and yields Main crops: rates of fertilization 22

9 viii Abbreviations and symbols CIS DAI FAO FSU ha IFA IFDC MAWRRUz CSIASUz SCLRRUz UNDP Commonwealth of Independent States Development Alternatives Incorporated Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations former Soviet Union hectares International Fertilizer Industry Association International Fertilizer Development Center Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan Central Scientific Institute Agrochemical Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan State Committee for Land Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan United Nations Development Programme Fertilizers N: Nitrogen P 2 or P: Phosphate* K 2 O or K: Potash* * Phosphate and potash may be expressed as their elemental forms P and K or as their oxide forms P 2 and K 2 O. Nitrogen is expressed as N. In this study phosphate and potash are expressed in their oxide forms.

10 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Uzbekistan comprises the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan and twelve oblasts (regions). Figure 1 Dominant soil map of Uzbekistan 64 o Dominant Soil Map of UZBEKISTAN _ Gc _ Calcaric Gleysols Ge _ Eutric Gleysols I _ Lithosols JC _ Calcaric Fluvisols Je _ Eutric Fluvisols Qc _ Cambic Arenosols Xk _ Calcic Xerosols Yk _ Calcic Yermosols Yt _ Takyric Yermosols Z _ SOLONCHAKS Zg _ Gleyic Solonchaks Zt Takyric Solonchaks Rock debris (RK) Dunes/Shifting sand (DS) Water bodies (WR) ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN The total land area of Uzbekistan amounts to 44.9 million ha of which 4.3 million ha are irrigated, 3.3 million ha being irrigated arable land (Table 1) and one million ha being irrigated pasture. The irrigated land is of paramount significance for the agriculture and economy of the country. The permanent pasture area amounts to 23.5 million ha accounting for over 80 percent of all agricultural land. In Uzbekistan, the rainfed area covers more than 747 thousand ha with rainfall exceeding 200 mm per year, yielding between 0.8 and 2.0 tonnes of grain per hectare. However, in view of their extent, these areas play an important role in grain production (Figure 2).

11 2 Introduction Table 1 Distribution of irrigated arable land in Uzbekistan ( 000 ha) Zone Average 1996 to 1998 Average 2000 to 2002 Difference Karakalpakstan Republic Oblasts Andijian Bukhara Djizak Kashkadarya Navoiy Namangan Samarkand Surkhandarya Sirdarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Tashkent city 0 0,5 0,5 Total Source: State Committee for Land Resources (SCLR), Figure 2 Agricultural area 12% 3% 3%1% Irrigated arable land Rainfed arable land Irrigated pasture Permanent crops Permanent pasture 81% Cotton production has fallen. Prior to independence the monoculture of the crop has led to problems of land degradation, especially from salinization and waterlogging. However, cereal production has increased substantially. During the past three years alone, the area under cereals, especially wheat, has been

12 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 3 Figure 3 Cotton and wheat production, 1992 to 2002 '000 MT Cotton Wheat extended by more than 300 thousand ha, to reach more than one million ha in Cereal production has reached 3.5 million tonnes and the importation of the food grain has been reduced more than six-fold. The average crop production capacity of pastureland is only 0.2 tonnes cereal equivalent per ha but this land provides 60 percent of livestock forage. The agricultural areas are situated in the basin of the Aral Sea and on the extensive plains and foothills. Most of the land is exceptionally well suited to mechanical cultivation and the prevailing temperatures permit the cultivation of a large variety of vegetables, fruits and berries, cereals and cash crops, including medium-fibre cotton. In the south the valuable fine-fibre varieties of cotton are grown. Each year ha of new irrigated land is brought into cultivation and more than ha of old irrigated arable land reclaimed. AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE In Uzbekistan there are collective (kolkhoz) farms, 872 cooperative farms, dekhan or family-owned farms and private farms. Agriculture accounts for 26 percent of the country s GDP and employs more than a third of the population. Since the independence of Uzbekistan, a number of laws and decrees have been issued in order to establish a legal framework for the establishment of mixed economy enterprises, businesses, farms and private domestic plots. The

13 4 Introduction Table 2 Land allocated to farmers ( 000 ha) Zone Allocated Owner occupied Rented Karakalpakstan Republic Oblasts Total area Irrigated Total area Irrigated Andijan Bukhara Djizak Kashkadarya Navoiy Namangan Samarkand Surkhandarya Sirdarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Total Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Land, Water, Fertilizer, farms include shirkat cooperative farms and dekhan family farms. The land is on long-term lease from the state. The dekhan farms account for more than 60 percent of agricultural production. Land allocation to farmers is shown in Table 2. The social structure of agriculture has changed fundamentally. Today the public sector accounts for less than 2 percent of the total. The economic independence of agricultural enterprises has been extended. There have been several other structural changes in agriculture. For example, the cotton monopoly inherited from the former centrally controlled Soviet system and so-called all-union division of labor, have been abolished. During the Soviet period, Uzbekistan was mostly oriented towards the production of cotton for the textile and military industries of the Soviet Union. After independence Uzbekistan reduced cotton production by expanding production of grain, vegetables and other crops, which previously did not satisfy domestic requirements. By 2001, farms had been established on an area of ha (Table 3).

14 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 5 Table 3 Types and numbers of private farms Type of farm Number of farms Approximate area Number Cotton Over 100 ha 182 Grain ha 57 Livestock to 80 ha 145 Horticulture to 60 ha 776 Vine (grape) to 40 ha Vegetable to 20 ha Melon 23 1 to 5 ha Total Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Land, Water, Fertilizer, Figure 4 Number of different types of farms 6% 7% 5% 1% Cotton Grain 14% Livestock Horticulture 67% Vegetables Others

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16 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 7 Chapter 2 Agro-ecological zones and land quality AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES The irrigated areas are located in three climatic zones, northern, central and southern. 1. The northern climatic zone comprises the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the Khorezm region and the foothill districts of Tashkent and Samarkand. This zone has the shortest vegetative growth period (180 to 200 days); the sum of temperatures does not exceed C to C, i.e. the sum of temperatures above 10 C during the growing period. In this zone crops such as cotton, rice, melon, vegetables and different fruit trees are grown. The summer temperatures range from 35 C to 42 C during the day and 20 C to 28 C at night. The first subzone of the northern climatic zone includes the northern districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorezm region. The soils are oldirrigated, hard and loamy. The average water penetration is low and the water is highly saline. The ground water has a high salt content (12 to 30 g/litre). The second subzone (foothill areas of Tashkent and Samarkand) of the northern climatic zone has sierozems and sierozem meadow soils, with a low salt content. The ground water contains little salt (1 to 3 g/litre); the vegetative period is of 200 days; the sum of temperatures does not exceed C to C; the amount of rainfall is 360 to 400 mm a year, falling mostly in the winter and early spring. 2. The central climatic zone includes the Fergana valley, Tashkent and Samarkand. In this zone, the vegetative period is 200 to 220 days, the sum of temperatures C to C; evaporation is higher than rainfall. In this climatic zone, crops such as cotton, wheat, barley, grapes, tobacco, potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetable and fruit crops are grown. In the first subzone of the central climatic zone (the Fergana Valley, Tashkent, Sir-Darya and Samarkand regions), the soils are gleysols and meadow soils, nonsaline or of low salinity, with good hydro-physical properties. The vegetative

17 8 Agro-ecological zones and land quality period is of 190 to 200 days, rainfall 320 to 380 mm, falling mainly in winter and spring. The sum of positive temperatures is C to C. In the second subzone (Sir-Darya, Jizzakh and Samarkand regions), the vegetative period is 190 to 200 days, the rainfall mm per year. The soils are typical gleysols, non-saline, gleysol-meadow soils and meadow soils. In the third subzone (the new irrigation zone of Jizzakh, Samarkand and part of Kashkadarya), the soils are typical gleysols and meadow soils, non-saline or of low salinity. In this zone, the average temperature fluctuates during the vegetative period from 16 C to 20 C, the sum of temperatures is C to C, the annual rainfall from 220 to 240 mm, 75 percent falling outside the vegetative period. 3. The southern climatic zone includes the Bukhara and Surhandarya regions. The vegetative period is 240 to 260 days and the sum of temperatures C to C. In this zone, subtropical crops such as melons, fine fibre cotton and various vegetable and fruit crops are grown. In the first subzone (Kashkadarya region and the southern districts of Bukhara), typical gleysols, light gleysols and desert soils are well developed. The climatic conditions of this subzone are characterized by a long vegetative period of 230 to 260 days; the rainfall of 140 to 180 mm per year is insufficient. The maximum temperature reaches 45 C to 50 C. This explains the high degree of evaporation. In the second subzone, soils are meadow gleysols, old-irrigated land, slightly alkaline. The climate is severely continental. The vegetative period is 250 to260 days and the annual rainfall does not exceed 80 to 120 mm. In the third subzone, subtropical crops and late ripening varieties of fine fibre cotton are grown on irrigated land. The vegetative period is 250 to 260 days; rainfall is insufficient at 70 to 100 mm. According to the regional classification system, Uzbekistan is in the Middle Asian soil climatic zone, characterized by a continental (dry) climate, with soils that differ from those of the more northern regions of Euro-Asia. Information on the main soil types in the different regions is given in the Annex.

18 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 9 LAND QUALITY The main factor in the qualitative assessment of land is its fertility and this is determined by bonitation. The bonitation of land is the comparative assessment of the land quality, and productivity with a representative level of agricultural activity. Bonitation involves an analysis of the soil properties, both natural and human-induced, that determine its crop carrying capacity, both its natural productive capacity and that obtained through agricultural activities. The bonitation carried out in the period 1989 to 1990 for irrigated land has a 100-degree scale. The highest score is attributed to soils with the highest fertility, or 40 centners of cotton per hectare. A yielding capacity of 0.4 centners/hectare gives a value of one. Table 4 classifies the land according to these assessments. The categories of land suitable for irrigation (Table 5) are defined as: i. Very good land capable of producing percent of the potential yield ii. Good land capable of producing percent of the potential yield iii. Moderate quality land capable of producing percent of potential yield iv. and v. Poor land capable of producing 40 percent of potential yield Table 4 Land suitable for irrigation ( 000 ha) Zone Total area Total area suitable for irrigation Present irrigated area Karakalpakstan Republic Oblasts Andijan Bukhara Djizak Kashkadarya Namangan Samarkand Surkhandarya Sirdarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Total

19 10 Agro-ecological zones and land quality Table 5 Quality of land suitable for irrigation Zone Quality of land suitable for irrigation (% of irrigated land) I II III IV, V Karakalpakstan Republic Oblasts Andijan Bukhara Djizak Kashkadarya Namangan Samarkand Surkhandarya Sirdarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Tables 6 and 7 show different land qualities and grades of land by region. Table 6 Areas of land of different qualities by region ( 000 ha) Zone Poor Low Average Good Best Total Karakalpakstan Republic Oblasts Andijan * Bukhara * Djizak * Navoiy Namangan * Samarkand * Sirdarya * Surkhandarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Kashkadarya Total * Below 500 ha.

20 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 11 Table 7 Average grades of land by region Zone Average grade* Karakalpakstan Republic 41 % Oblasts Andijan 60 % Bukhara 53 % Djizak 50 % Navoiy 52 % Namangan 59 % Samarkand 57 % Sirdarya 49 % Surkhandarya 60 % Tashkent 59 % Fergana 56 % Khorezm 54 % Kashkadarya 51 % Total 55 % * Average grade: the percentage ratio of the crop (cotton) yield obtained in a given zone compared with the crop yield on the land of best quality across the country. Figure 5 Land of different qualities in Uzbekistan 3% 25% 27% 45% Average Good Poor to low Best THE ARAL SEA The Central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan, are important cotton exporters. The area of irrigated land grew by more than 3.0 million hectares between 1950 and 1988, mostly in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. In order to support this massive increase in the irrigated area, water withdrawals were made indiscriminately, reducing the river flow until 97 percent of annual water

21 12 Agro-ecological zones and land quality resources were consumed, leaving only four cubic kilometers to flow into the Aral Sea. In some dry years in the 1980s, no water at all flowed into the Aral Sea. One of the reasons for this above-average usage is the heavy salinization of soils in the region, which requires intensive leaching or washing of fields newly under irrigation, and periodic leaching of almost all irrigated land. Until about 1960, the volume of the Aral Sea was more or less in equilibrium, with evaporation from the surface counterbalanced by inflow from rivers, groundwater and rainfall. Since the mid-1960s, demand for the water resources of the basin has risen dramatically. The irrigated area expanded by over one-fifth between 1960 and 1990, while the consumption of water tripled to meet the increasing needs of agriculture and the population. Water use often exceeded the stream flow of the rivers, as water used for irrigation upstream was reused downstream. The near total diversion of the water destined for the Aral Sea has resulted in extreme consequences for the Sea, its tributaries and the surrounding ecosystems. Historically the natural fluctuations of the sea level due to climatic changes in its basins were between 1.5 and 2 meters. Since 1960, the Aral Sea has lost almost 75 percent of its volume, and has shrunk to 50 percent of its previous surface area. Its shores have receded dramatically, in some places more than 120 kilometers. Over square kilometers of former seabed are exposed. The exposed sea bed is coated with agricultural chemical residues and salt, which are carried by strong winds and deposited over a wide radius, affecting crops, natural vegetation, soil quality, water supply, air quality, and the health of animals and people. The excessive use and the dumping of agricultural chemicals have seriously damaged water and soil quality. Huge quantities of agrochemicals were used; herbicides and insecticides to combat pest and diseases which had acquired immunity due to monoculture practices; fertilizers to supplement the nutrient content in exhausted and over-washed soils and defoliation to facilitate the mechanical harvesting of cotton. Central Asian cotton was treated with as much as 50 kg of pesticides and 430 kg of fertilizer nutrients per hectare. On cotton fields in the coastal area of the Karakalpakstan Republic, pesticides were used at a rate ten times the FSU average. Since independence, economic and environmental constraints have resulted in a significant decrease in the amount of fertilizers and pesticides being used in all the basin states, but figures remain high by international standards.

22 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 13 Countries of the Aral Sea basin are committed to following the path of sustainable development and improving the environment conditions of the affected region to the greatest extent possible. Along with international organizations, they have sought and received global support for the initial phase of a far-reaching multi-sectoral program of action to address the ecological and social aspects of the crisis. The Aral Sea Program has four major objectives: to stabilize the environment of the Aral Sea; to rehabilitate the disaster zone around the Sea; to improve the management of international waters of the basin; to build the capacity of regional institutions to plan and implement these programmes.

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24 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 15 Chapter 3 The fertilizer sector MINERAL FERTILIZER PRODUCTS The most frequently used straight nitrogen fertilizers are ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, urea and anhydrous ammonia. Seventy to 80 percent of the nitrogen is applied as ammonium nitrate. Urea is used mostly in regions with a wet and warm climate; in regions with more severe climatic conditions, it is less effective. Straight fertilizers with a low content of nitrogen are gradually losing their importance the importance of ammonium sulphate has declined during the last few years. The main form of liquid nitrogen is anhydrous ammonia. The main straight phosphate fertilizer is superphosphate. However, in recent years its use has been considerably reduced, phosphate being applied mainly in complex fertilizers, whose proportion in total usage has been increasing for the last 10 to 15 years. The main form of potassium fertilizers remains potassium chloride. In Uzbekistan it is applied directly to the soil. Some 15 percent to 20 percent of the total potash is in the form of chlorine-free potassium fertilizers, essentially potassium sulphate, used for tobacco, grapes, potato and citrus. All potash requirements are imported from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). As regards NP products, ammosuperphosphate contains 21 percent to 22 percent of nutrient and is produced in two forms: the first form has an N: P 2 ratio of 1:0.7 and contains 13 percent of N and 9 percent of P 2, the second has an N: P 2 ratio of 1:0.5 and contains 14 percent of N and 7 percent of P 2. These fertilizers also contain 38 percent to 42 percent of S as sulphate ions. There are also two forms of sulphoammofos. The first contains about 30 percent of nutrient, 18 percent of N and 12 percent of P 2 with an N:P 2 ratio of 1:0.7. The second contains about 26 percent of nutrient, 17 percent of N and 9 percent of P 2, with an N:P 2 ratio of 1:0.5. These fertilizers also contain 45 percent to 48 percent of S as sulphate ions.

25 16 The fertilizer sector The prices of some fertilizers produced in Uzbekistan are as follows: (in Uzbek sum per tonne*) Ammofos: Ammonium sulphate: Ammonium nitrate: Urea: Single superphosphate: * The official rate of the Uzbek sum in June 2002 was: 1 US$ = sum Source: MAWRRUz, FERTILIZER PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS Manufacturers of fertilizers in Uzbekistan Samarkand Chemical Plant, Samarkand city; ammofos and other NP products, ammonium sulphate. Chirchik Industrial Association, Elektrochimprom, Chirchik city; ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate. Industrial Association Fergana azotʼ; urea and ammonium nitrate. Kokand Superphosphate Plant, Kokand city; single superphosphate. Industrial Assocation Navoiy azotʼ; ammonium nitrate. In 2001 about 650 thousand tonnes of mineral fertilizers were due to be produced in Uzbekistan, but only 83 percent of the expected amount was in fact produced. Uzbekistan normally imports potassium fertilizers and exports nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. Uzbekistan annually exports 15 percent to 18 percent of total nitrogen fertilizer production and 10 percent to 12 percent of total phosphate fertilizer production. The destinations are nearby countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan) and more distant countries (Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, China and others). FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION The totals for Uzbekistan given in Table 8 compare with thousand tonnes of N (683) + P 2 (411) + K 2 O (215) in 1989.

26 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 17 Table 8 Delivery of mineral fertilizers to agriculture ( 000 tonnes) Zones Nutrient Average /98 Karakalpakstan Republic Total N P K 2 O Oblasts Andijan Total N P K Bukhara Total N P K 2 O Djizak Total N P K 2 O Kashkadarya Total N P K 2 O Navoiy Total N P K 2 O Namangan Total N P K Samarkand Total 65.1?? N P K 2 O Surkhandarya Total N P K

27 18 The fertilizer sector Zones Sirdarya Tashkent Fergana Khorezm Uzbekistan Nutrient Average 1996/ Total N P K 2 O Total N P K 2 O Total N P K Total N P K 2 O Total N P K 2 O Source : MAWRRUz, Reports 1996 to The distribution of fertilizers in Uzbekistan is carried out by the state jointstock companies «Uzhimprom» and «Uzselhozhimiya». In all the regions (oblasts) of Uzbekistan, many stores have been opened for selling mineral fertilizers to cooperatives, individual farmers and to the population. Nitrification inhibitors The application of different forms of nitrification inhibitors, in order to reduce the nitrogen losses, is increasing. Nitrification inhibitors, used mostly with ammonium nitrate, slow the process of nitrification for 1.5 to 2 months. By increasing the maintenance of nitrogen in the ammoniacal form, it reduces losses and increases efficiency. In Uzbekistan the study of nitrification inhibitors started in At first the cyans, in particular cyangunidine (CG), and haloid derivatives of annelids were

28 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 19 used as inhibitors. Since 1975 chloride derivatives of pyridine and pyrimidine have been tested extensively. In Uzbekistan the following non-volatile inhibitors have been mostly used: 1. ATS-60: (4-amino-1,2,4 triazol) as a 60 percent aqueous solution. This is incorporated in the structure of nitrogen-containing complex fertilizers, such as (last figure specifies the content of inhibitors). 2. CMP: (1-carbomoyle-3-methylpirazole) is considered to be an effective nitrification inhibitor. It is effective for 4 to 8 weeks. CMP is applied alone or incorporated at 2 percent to 3 percent CMP N of the total nitrogen content. 3. DCD: (dicyanamide), CG or DD (Didine), formed as a co-product in the manufacture of calcium cyanamide. It is incorporated at 5 percent to 10 percent DCD-N of the total nitrogen content. Despite its high dose (4 to 5 times more than CMP), CG is not a ballast in the fertilizer, since it contains 66.6 percent of nitrogen. In the soil it is easily decomposed and becomes available to plants. These nitrification inhibitors increase the efficiency of nitrogen by 12 percent to 14 percent.

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30 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 21 Chapter 4 Fertilizer use by crop The extent of mineral fertilizer use on different crops in the various regions of Uzbekistan is determined by a combination of complex factors. The most important are soil and climatic conditions in Uzbekistan, the soil nutrient content, the crop yields, the use of organic fertilizers, the relationship between the prices for the fertilizers and those of agricultural products. The average rates recommended by the scientists of Uzbekistan for the main crops are given in Table 9. The quantities and rates of application of mineral fertilizers in Uzbekistan are shown in Tables 10 and 11. The rates of application of mineral fertilizer to Table 9 Average standard rates of fertilizer application for the main agricultural crops (kg nutrient/ha) Crops Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P 2 ) Potash (K 2 O) Cereals - Irrigated land 150 to to Arid land 50 to to 50 - Cereals for seed 180 to to to 90 Rice 200 to to to 180 Cotton - Average fi bres 215 to to to Fine fi bres 230 to to to 110 Kenaff 160 to to to 90 Tobacco 120 to to to 45 Potatoes 120 to to to 75 Vegetables 145 to to to 75 Gourds 50 to to to 80 Fodder roots Maize for silage Established alfalfa to to 60 Orchards and vineyards 120 to to 90 65

31 22 Fertilizer use by crop Table 10 Main crops: use of mineral fertilizers and yields Crop/year Use of mineral fertilizers, thousand tonnes Yield Total N P 2 K 2 O (t/ha) Cotton Cereals Source : MAWRRUz, Table 11 Main crops: rates of fertilization Crop/year Rates, (kg/ha) Cotton Total N P 2 K 2 O Cereals Source : MAWRRUz, cotton have been declining in recent years in relation to recommendations. In the case of cereals it is the other way round and rates have been increasing. In Uzbekistan, the rate of application of fertilizers per hectare on grain crops in the past reached nearly 250 kg/ha; today it is about 180 kg/ha. Farm managers as a rule consider that it is unprofitable to apply the average recommended rates of fertilizer application if the ratio between the expenditure and the profit is not at least 1:2 to 1:3. It should also be noted that part of the cereal crop is grown under partial irrigation in zones with insufficient moisture, where the usage of larger quantities of fertilizers is less effective.

32 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 23 According to the assessments of the Institute of Soil Science and Agro Chemistry of the State Committee of the Land Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, at the present time in Uzbekistan the overall use of mineral fertilizers has become 20 percent to 30 percent less than is recommended by the scientific institutions. This is confirmed by data provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MAWRRUz), which show that in all the regions studied, fertilizers are applied on cotton, cereals and potatoes at lower rates than those recommended by scientific establishments. According to the calculations of the Central Scientific Institute Agrochemical Service (CSIASUz), in Uzbekistan, on average 1 kg of nitrogen provides, depending on the rate, from 4.2 to 7.5 kg of wheat; 1 kg P 2 gives 3.8 to 7.2 kg of wheat and 1 kg K 2 O from 2.0 to 3.5 kg/ha of wheat. The simultaneous use of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium significantly increases their efficiency.

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34 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 25 Chapter 5 Organic manures The systematic use of farm manure for 30 years on the typical gleysols in Uzbekistan has doubled their humus content (from 0.83 percent to 1.65 percent). Annually million tonnes of organic manure are produced in Uzbekistan. This is equivalent to the annual application of 80 to 90 kg of nitrogen, 40 to 45 kg phosphate and 50 to 60 kg potassium per hectare of cropland. The possibilities of storing and applying organic manure are not used completely. Today, less than a quarter of Uzbekistan s need for organic manure is satisfied. Instead of the 20 to 30 tonnes of manure per hectare of cropland that are required, only 4.8 tonnes are applied. At the same time, the annual losses of animal manure resulting from discharge into water is nine millions tonnes. The total loss resulting from poor management amounts to 15 million tonnes, which could be used to fertilize an additional 750 thousand ha, taking 20 t/ha as the average. The rational and effective application of manure would increase the productivity of agriculture and decrease the pollution of the environment.

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36 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 27 Bibliography About the land resources of Republic of Uzbekistan, 2001, SCLRRUz (State Committee for Land resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan), Tashkent. Production indicators in of the enterprises concerned with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, MAWRRUz (Ministry of Agriculture and water resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan), Tashkent. Statistical Abstracts on the Environment of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Tashkent. Turkistan - our common home - Ecological and environmental problems in the region of Central Asia, Konrad Adenaur-Stiftung, Turan. The Aral in crisis, UNDP, Tashkent. The Aral Sea basin problems, 1998 (Research, projects, recommendations) Tashkent. Practical recommendation for agriculture: land, water, and fertilizers, Edited in cooperation with MAWRRUz, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Uzplodovoshvinprom association of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent Organic fertilizers in intensive agriculture, 1984, edited by V. G. Mineeva, Moscow. (Kolos). Ergashev Abdi-Kadir, Ecological and socio-economic aspects of the use of mineral fertilizers in Aral Sea Basin countries, 67 th IFA Annual Conference, Manila.

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38 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 29 Annex Soil types in Uzbekistan The genesis of the soil forming rocks in Uzbekistan is very varied. This, combined with the complexity of the litological structure of the soils, the different hydro-geological conditions, an arid continental climate and the vegetation has led to the formation of many different soils. In Uzbekistan, the soils are of highaltitude belts and desert zones. Table A.1 Types and subtypes of soil in Uzbekistan Soil 000 ha Percentage Light-brown, meadow desert, high mountain Brown and dark brown, mountain-wood, middle mountain Dark sierozem Typical sierozem Light sierozem Meadow-sierozem and sierozem-meadow Meadow of sierozem belt Marshy-meadow sierozem Sub-total Grey brown Desert sandy Dry lands Meadow and dry-meadow Desert zone meadow Desert zone marshy meadow Saline, alkali soils Sand Others land (rocks, wetland etc.) Sub-total All land Source: National Report SCLR, 2002.

39 30 Annex Soil types in Uzbekistan Table A.2 Types of soils in rainfed agricultural areas in Uzbekistan Zones & soil types Total area 000 ha Percent of total Typical annual rainfall (mm) Totally rainfed Brown, leached soils to 900 Dark sierozems to 500 Well drained, dark sierozems to 500 Total Partially dry Typical sierozems to 350 Well drained, typical sierozems to 350 Total Wholly dry Light sierozems to 350 Total rainfed Table A.3 Types of soils in irrigated agricultural areas in Uzbekistan, lower* and middle** reaches Soil type Lower reaches Middle reaches 000 ha Percent 000 ha Percent Takir and grey Light sierozem Typical sierozem Dark sierozem Grey meadow Old irrigated meadow Meadow and marsh Marsh alluvium Total *- Karakalpakstan Republic, Khorezm, part of Bukhara and Navoiy regions (oblasts) are in the lower reaches. **- Samarkand, Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya and Jizzak regions are in the middle reaches.

40 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan 31 Table A.4 Types of soils in irrigated agricultural areas in Uzbekistan, upper reaches* Soil type Upper reaches Upper reaches 000 ha Percent Takir and grey 0 0 Light sierozem Typical sierozem Dark sierozem 32 3 Grey meadow 7 1 Old irrigated meadow 0 0 Meadow and marsh Marsh alluvium Total *- Tashkent and other regions are in the upper reaches.

41 Fertilizer use by crop in Uzbekistan Prior to independence the monoculture of cotton has led to serious problems of land degradation in Uzbekistan and to the environmental catastrophe of the Aral Sea. Since independence, priority has been given to the diversification of agricultural production and self-sufficiency in cereals has now been achieved. Farming, although not land ownership, has been privatized. This study describes the agro-ecological and farming conditions of the country, cropping, and the use of fertilizers and manures. TC/D/Y4711E/1/6.03/450