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Explained in brief : global fertilizer

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The Explained in Brief series provides short, bite-sized information pieces on economic trends and topics in agriculture and agri-food industries. This issue looks at global production and trade... More ≫

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The Explained in Brief series provides short, bite-sized information pieces on economic trends and topics in agriculture and agri-food industries. This issue looks at global production and trade of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash fertilizers.

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Phosphorus sources and movement

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The loss of phosphorus from the landscape can negatively affect the environment, with water quality being the primary concern. Within agricultural systems, beneficial management practices are used... More ≫

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The loss of phosphorus from the landscape can negatively affect the environment, with water quality being the primary concern. Within agricultural systems, beneficial management practices are used in the application and management of phosphorus in order to prevent or minimize losses. It is important to understand the source factors and the movement or transport dynamics of phosphorus.

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Beneficial management practices : an introduction to phosphorus

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Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Alberta soils are generally deficient or low in phosphorus for optimum crop production (<60 ppm). Successful crop production requires the... More ≫

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Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for crop growth. Alberta soils are generally deficient or low in phosphorus for optimum crop production (<60 ppm). Successful crop production requires the addition of phosphorus in the form of fertilizer or manure. However, the loss of phosphorus from the landscape can negatively impact water quality. Phosphorus can move with eroded soil or be dissolved in runoff water and carried to nearby surface water bodies. Too much phosphorus in lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams can speed up aquatic plant and algae growth. This process is called eutrophication, which can lead to oxygen depletion, release of toxins, degraded water quality, fish deaths and odours. When Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) are used in the management of phosphorus, losses are minimized and crops receive maximum benefit.

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Pigeon Lake phosphorus budget

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Occurrences of significant blue-green algae blooms have resulted in stakeholders at Pigeon Lake seeking management options to assist with reducing the frequency and intensity of such events. To... More ≫

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Occurrences of significant blue-green algae blooms have resulted in stakeholders at Pigeon Lake seeking management options to assist with reducing the frequency and intensity of such events. To more effectively target activities, a nutrient budget was developed to identify phosphorus entering the lake from external and internal sources. The results of the study showed a relatively even split of external and internal phosphorous sources. This indicates that while watershed management efforts must be pursued, there may be merit in exploring in-lake options for controlling phosphorus release to achieve a more timely reduction of nuisance blooms in the future.

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Phosphorus fertilizer application in crop production

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For optimum crop production, an adequate supply of P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth and an adequate amount of P in the soil for the rest of the season are ideal. Placement... More ≫

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For optimum crop production, an adequate supply of P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth and an adequate amount of P in the soil for the rest of the season are ideal. Placement of P in-row with cereal and oilseed crops has been the traditional method used for P fertilization in Alberta. Pre-plant banding of P with nitrogen has been found to be a good alternative method of application under certain conditions. However, under conditions of low to medium soil P coupled with low soil temperatures, 'starter' P in the seed row is frequently very beneficial for annual crops.

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Wabamun Lake phosphorus budget during the 2008 runoff and open water season

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In 2008, Alberta Environment measured the sources of nutrients that contribute to algae growth in Wabamun Lake water. This report provides recommendations to guide stewardship activities by... More ≫

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In 2008, Alberta Environment measured the sources of nutrients that contribute to algae growth in Wabamun Lake water. This report provides recommendations to guide stewardship activities by community groups at Wabamun Lake and at other lakes across Alberta.

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Managing phosphorus to protect water quality

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Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth. In aquatic systems, a lack of phosphorus often limits aquatic plant growth. When phosphorus is used up in fresh water, aquatic plant growth... More ≫

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Phosphorus is an important nutrient for plant growth. In aquatic systems, a lack of phosphorus often limits aquatic plant growth. When phosphorus is used up in fresh water, aquatic plant growth will stop no matter how much nitrogen is available. Conversely, nitrogen limits crop production. Only a small amount of phosphorus (measured in parts per billion) in fresh water can cause algal blooms and aquatic weed growth. Phosphorus is the nutrient that limits plant growth in aquatic ecosystems. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient that limits terrestrial plant growth.

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The Pine Lake restoration project

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This paper summarizes key findings on the relative impact of agriculture on external phosphorus loadings to Pine Lake, and work in progress to reduce loadings from agricultural sites.

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