An English agri-environment scheme, part of the post-Brexit Environmental Land Management framework, that pays farmers for adopting sustainable farming practices. SFI actions relevant to fertiliser use include nutrient management planning, soil health improvement, and integrated pest management.
A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Most agricultural crops perform best at pH 6.0–7.0. Soil pH profoundly affects nutrient availability, microbial activity, and the effectiveness of applied fertilisers.
A mineral acid (H₃PO₄) produced from phosphate rock, used as the primary feedstock for the manufacture of DAP, MAP, and other phosphate fertilisers. Also used in food processing, water treatment, and metal finishing.
A naturally occurring mineral deposit containing calcium phosphate, mined as the primary raw material for phosphate fertiliser production. Major deposits are located in Morocco, China, the United States, and Russia. Phosphate rock is a finite resource, and concerns about long-term supply security have driven interest in phosphorus recycling.
The use of GPS, sensors, mapping, and data analytics to manage crop inputs — including fertiliser — at a spatially variable rate across a field. Precision fertiliser application matches nutrient supply to localised crop demand, improving efficiency and reducing waste.
A small, spherical granule produced by spraying a molten or concentrated liquid fertiliser into a cooling tower (prilling tower). Prilled fertilisers (such as prilled urea) have a smooth, uniform surface but are generally softer than granulated products, making them more prone to dust generation and breakdown.
A measure of how effectively applied nitrogen is utilised by the crop, commonly expressed as the proportion of applied N recovered in the harvested crop. UK arable NUE averages approximately 56–60%. Improving NUE is a major focus for the fertiliser industry, driven by economic, environmental, and regulatory pressures.
The microbial conversion of organic nitrogen in soil organic matter, crop residues, or organic fertilisers into plant-available mineral forms (ammonium and nitrate). Mineralisation rates depend on temperature, moisture, soil biology, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of the organic material.
The UK’s standard reference for fertiliser recommendations, published by AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board). RB209 provides recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrient rates for all major crops and grassland, based on soil analysis and expected yield.
A chemical additive that slows the microbial conversion of ammonium to nitrate in soil. By keeping nitrogen in the less mobile ammonium form for longer, nitrification inhibitors reduce nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions. Common active ingredients include DCD (dicyandiamide) and DMPP.