By Scout Nelson
Global fertilizer use has changed significantly over the past four decades, creating both opportunities and challenges for agriculture. A new study from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment provides the most detailed picture yet of fertilizer use around the world.
The study is led by Deepak Ray, a research professor at the Institute on the Environment. He spent six years leading the development of a global dataset that tracks fertilizer application rates for individual crops. The project was completed with support from Tek Sapkota of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and Achim Dobermann of the International Fertilizer Association.
Researchers created a comprehensive global dataset covering fertilizer use from 1980 to 2022. The database includes crop-specific application rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three major nutrients used in crop production. It covers every country and includes information for 156 crops, as well as pastures and forests.
The team analyzed approximately 800,000 existing data points and developed specialized software to fill gaps in the information. This resulted in the first continuous global record showing the use of all three major nutrients at the individual crop level across more than four decades.
The analysis revealed several important trends. One major finding showed that global fertilizer consumption has at least doubled since 1980. Despite this increase, large differences continue to exist among regions. Some areas use fertilizer at very high rates, while others still use relatively small amounts.
Researchers found that regions with historically high fertilizer use are beginning to reduce their application rates. Parts of Europe, which used high fertilizer rates during the early 1980s, have moved toward lower levels of use. Similar changes have occurred in parts of China, where fertilizer application increased rapidly in the early 2000s before efforts were made to improve efficiency and reduce excessive use.
At the same time, countries that previously used very little fertilizer are gradually increasing their application rates. Examples include Ethiopia and Vietnam, where agricultural development efforts have encouraged greater nutrient use to improve crop production. In some regions of sub-Saharan Africa, fertilizer use remains relatively low, suggesting opportunities for higher yields if nutrient management practices are expanded.
“This information can help identify regions that aren’t using the right amount or combination of fertilizers to achieve optimal crop yield,” said Ray. “It also can identify areas that are using too much fertilizer, which is financially and environmentally costly.”
Researchers stress that balancing fertilizer use is important for both farming and environmental protection. When crops receive too little fertilizer, yields remain below their potential, limiting food production and reducing farm income. This can create challenges for feeding growing populations and improving agricultural productivity.
Excessive fertilizer use creates different concerns. Too much fertilizer can increase soil acidity, making it harder for crops to absorb nutrients. Extra nutrients may also move into rivers, lakes, and oceans through runoff, contributing to water quality problems and the development of low-oxygen areas known as dead zones.
Another concern involves greenhouse gas emissions. Excess fertilizer can be converted into nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is approximately 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Improving fertilizer management can therefore support both climate goals and agricultural productivity.
The researchers believe the new dataset can help countries make more informed decisions about nutrient management. Because the information is crop-specific, policymakers and agricultural organizations can develop targeted fertilizer recommendations that improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary fertilizer use, lower emissions, and support food production goals.
“There is no single global fertilizer challenge: some regions need to use nutrients more efficiently, while others still need greater access to plant nutrition to close yield gaps,” said Dobermann. “This dataset helps us see those differences with unprecedented clarity, providing a stronger evidence base for decisions that support both food security and environmental sustainability.”
The complete dataset and software tools are available for academic research use through the University of Minnesota. Researchers believe these resources will support future studies and help improve understanding of global nutrient use patterns.
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Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Rural Lifestyle