Crop Production >> Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers – produced using fossil fuel – have helped increase crop yields enormously, and are credited with making possible the global population boom during the 20th century. But, farm runoff of excess nitrates and phosphates from fertilizers has caused dead zones in bodies of water all over the world.

Recommended resources on this topic:

Reports & Other Documents

Current World Fertilizer Trends and Outlook to 2011/12

Food and Agriculture Organization, February 2008.

Anthropogenically enhanced fluxes of water and carbon from the Mississippi River

P. Raymond, et al. Nature; Jan. 24, 2008.

Dead in the water

Environmental Working Group; April 10, 2006.

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Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Impact of intensive agricultural practices on drinking water quality in the EVROS Region (NE Greece) by GIS analysis

C. Nikolaidis, et al. Environ Monit Assess, August 2008.

Transformation of the nitrogen cycle: recent trends, questions, and potential solutions

J.N. Galloway, et al. Science, May 2008.

When Does Nitrate Become a Risk for Humans?

Powlson, et al. J Environ Qual, March-April 2008.

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Nitrate in aquifers beneath agricultural systems

M.R. Burkart and J.D. Stoner. Water Sci Tech, 2007.

The role of nitrogen in world food production and environmental sustainability

B. Eickhout, et al. Agr Ecosyst Environ, August 2006.

Legume versus fertilizer sources of nitrogen: ecological tradeoffs and human needs

T.E. Crews and M.B. Peoples. Agr Ecosyst Environ, May 2004.

Assessment of groundwater contamination by nitrate leaching from intensive vegetable cultivation using geographical information system

I.S. Babiker, et al. Environ Int, February 2004.

Future shock: forecasting a grim fate for the Earth

W.F. Laurance. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, October 2001.

Impacts of cropping systems on soil nitrogen storage and loss

D.D. Poudel, et al. Agr Syst, June 2001.

Relating nitrogen sources and aquifer susceptibility to nitrate in shallow ground waters of the United States

B.T. Nolan. Ground Water. March-April 2001.

Global Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Expansion

D. Tilman. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.; May 25, 1999.

Groundwater contamination by nitrates associated with intensive potato culture in Québec

P. Levallois, et al. Sci Total Environ, June 1998.

Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Sources and Consequences

P.M. Vitousek, et al. Ecol Appl, August 1997.

Methemoglobinemia: nitrate toxicity in rural America

B.C. Cross, et al. Am Fam Physician, July 1992.

Relevant Organizations

The Fertilizer Institute (trade association)

IFDC

International center for soil fertility and agricultural development.

International Fertilizer Industry Association

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Additional Tools & Resources

Economic Research Service (USDA)

U.S. Fertilizer Use and Price (data sets)

Feeding the World, Poisoning the Planet

Baltimore Sun; five-part series on nitrogen, September 2000.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

Soils & Compost.

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