The fertilizer divide

"Now a new analysis of agriculture patterns in three parts of the world where corn is grown shows that there is also a glaring “ fertilizer divide.” The authors write that overuse of fertilizer, particularly in China, where chemical fertilizers are heavily subsidized, is generating large amounts of air pollution, including the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, and big water pollution problems. Among other findings, the authors said that fertilizer use on corn in northern China could be cut in half with no loss of production.

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In stark contrast, cornfields in Kenya are starved for nutrients, according to the analysis in Science, which was led by Peter Vitousek, a professor of biology at Stanford University. In 2004 Kenyan corn farmers were using about 1 percent of the fertilizer per acre that their counterparts in China do. In 2007, Celia Dugger reported how Malawi went from the brink of famine to becoming a corn exporter in part through subsidies for fertilizer." (Thaks Laila)

Excellent article for understanding fertilizer use and its impact in productivity and environment.

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/fertilizer-divide-too-much-not-enough/?emc=eta1