Agriculture and Science 2022/1

Fertilizer Manufacturers' Responsibility to Contribute to Agriculture

Jcam Agri Co.
Managing Executive Officer Toshiyuki Katsuro

　Happy New Year!
At the beginning of the year 2022, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a few words to all the readers of this journal, "Agriculture and Science.
　Since the year before last, our lives have been greatly affected by the global restriction of activities due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus. Although we are still (as of October) obliged to continue individual prevention of infection, the spread of vaccines and the development of therapeutic drugs have been promoted, and I think we are just beginning to see the light toward the end of the pandemic.

　On the other hand, there have been many outbreaks of unknown viruses in the past, and it is said that the cause of these outbreaks is the increase in contact opportunities between humans and natural animals as they have grown closer to each other due to deforestation to secure resources for food production and other needs in response to population growth. The United Nations estimates that the world population will reach 10.9 billion by 2100, and the University of Washington estimates that it will peak in 2064 and reach 8.8 billion by 2100. In any case, the world population is expected to increase from the current level. Therefore, in order to control the contact opportunities mentioned above, it is necessary to increase food production per area (= efficient production of agricultural products), and we believe that we can make a contribution to this.

　Last year, Mr. Yoshiro Manabe was awarded the Nobel Prize for his "global general circulation model" developed in the 1960s. The reason for the award was that "it has become the basis of modern climate research. The news is so full of stories about climate change that not a day goes by that we do not hear about it. Globally, extreme high temperatures in southern Europe, flooding in central Europe, and extreme high temperatures and drought in the southwestern United States occurred. We are reminded that climate change is becoming more severe with each passing year.

　In response to such global-scale changes, investment decisions based on the concept of ESG is spreading in the financial world, and this, coupled with this encouragement, has led to a common recognition worldwide that it is the responsibility of companies to address and contribute to the SDGs. About 40 years ago, we developed and launched a coated fertilizer that precisely controls the elution of fertilizer components by coating them with resin, thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and labor-saving agricultural work (contributing to development goals 2, 9, 13, and 15 of the SDGs). On the other hand, the SDG 14, "Protect the richness of the sea," has a negative impact due to the discharge of coated shells into the sea after the leaching of fertilizer components. In response to this problem, we have been developing technologies to (1) reduce the amount of resin in the film, (2) control the outflow from the field, and (3) completely decompose the film in the natural environment.

　At present, we have launched a product with a progressively reduced resin ratio for (1) and a product that accelerates the collapse of the film in the field and suppresses outflow from the field for (2), but have yet to develop a technology to completely decompose the film shell while maintaining the advantages of (3) above. We will continue to promote research and development that contributes to the efficiency of food production as well as to the SDGs Goal 14. Finally, I would like to conclude this New Year's greeting by expressing my sincere gratitude for your continued patronage of this issue of "Agriculture and Science" and my best wishes for your happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

Sakai Farm built by our predecessors (No.3)
〜120 Years of History - A Look Back at the Transition of Varieties, Fertilizers, etc. as Reflected in the Transcripts

JA Fukui Sakai Farm
　Akira Nagatagawa Former Farm Manager

V. Heisei Era (1989 - 2008)

　The national average yield from 1966 to 1988 was 461 kg (Fukui Prefecture: 473 kg), a significant increase from a rice shortage to a rice surplus. In 1992, in addition to variety and weather control trials (fertility and yield tests), we have been working to establish high-quality rice cultivation techniques, organic cultivation of Koshihikari rice, demonstration of milk seedling transplanting, and cultivation techniques for high-yielding varieties.

　In fertilizer trials, the first one-shot application of a slow-release fertilizer is being tested. In addition, emphasis has been placed on improving the quality and taste of rice by testing a small amount of primary fertilizer and an emphasis on ear fertilizer for Koshihikari rice, as well as a dedicated primary fertilizer and additional fertilizer for Koshihikari rice. In 1995, the Food Law was enacted and the liberalization of rice distribution began. Since 1999, in addition to variety and weather control tests, organic slow-release fertilizer tests have been conducted on Koshihikari rice, including a single-shot and partial application organic fertilizer system developed for Koshihikari, and a special rice cultivation test, with a stronger awareness of the consumer in terms of taste, safety, and security. In particular, in order to promote the branding of Hanasaki Fukui Agricultural Cooperative's rice, we worked on the development of an organic, one-shot, organic fertilizer and promoted it as part of the "Urara Series. This was a notable effort by a single agricultural cooperative at the time.

　In 2005, the Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas Basic Law was enacted, and the following year, the Organic Agriculture Promotion Law was enacted.
　In 2008, in addition to variety and weather control tests (fertility and weather tests), late planting and fertilizer tests were conducted with the aim of producing high quality Koshihikari, as well as low-cost Aladin fertilizer and cultivation tests of the new variety, Akisakari.
The average yield from 1989 to 2008 was 507 kg (508 kg in Fukui Prefecture). The national average yield from 1989 to 2008 was 507 kg (508 kg in Fukui Prefecture), an increase from the average yield of 461 kg (473 kg in Fukui Prefecture) from 1966 to 1988. The price of rice in 2008 was 13,851 yen per bale, a significant decrease from the price of 16,743 yen per bale in 1988.

(1) Outline of variety testing, etc.
　(Koshihikari, Hanaechizen, Akisakari)

　In 1989, eight varieties, including "Echigo-Nan 140," "Echigo-Nan 146," and "Yamahikari," were grown, with the early variety "Fukuhikari" and the late variety "Nihonbaru" as standard varieties. In 1993, the main varieties grown in Fukui Prefecture were "Koshihikari," "Hanaechizen," "Fukuhikari," and "Nihonbaru. In 1999, 13 varieties, including "Aichi 101," "Echigo-Tsumari 171," "Hokuriku 178," and "Hokuriku 179," were planted, aiming to surpass "Hanaechizen," "Kinuhikari," and "Nihonbaru.

　In 2008, six varieties including "Echigo-Tsumari 208" and "Echigo-Tsumari 211" were planted, with "Hanaechizen" and "Koshihikari" as the standard varieties. Echigo-Tsumari No. 208" was named "Akisakari. The main varieties in Fukui Prefecture in 2008 were "Koshihikari," "Hanaechizen," and "Ikuhikari.

(2) Outline of fertilizers, etc. (dissemination of all-base one-shot fertilizers)

　The conventional fertilizer for the first half of the Heisei era (1989 to 1999) was No. 1 primary fertilizer and No. 1 secondary fertilizer, and the fertilizer rate for Koshihikari was 10 kg/10a in terms of N component.
　In 2008, the first fertilizer No. 2 and the first additional fertilizer No. 1 were used, and for Koshihikari rice, URARA 660 was used as the all-base one-shot fertilizer. One-shot fertilizers are becoming more widespread due to the increasing number of dual-use farmers and from the viewpoint of labor saving. Urara" means "we" in the Fukui dialect. In 2008, the amount of fertilizer applied to Koshihikari rice was 8 kg N/10a for conventional fertilizer and 7 kg N/10a for late-planting fertilizer, a decrease from the previous year. The fertilizer cost per 10a in 2009 was 8,655 yen. The average price of rice in relative trade was 12,942 yen per bale, and the ratio of fertilizer to rice income was about 8%.

VI. Heisei and 2021 Era (from 2009)

　Since 2010, rice planting of Koshihikari rice varieties for weather control trials has been conducted on May 17, starting from Golden Week, as has been the case for many years, because high temperatures after ear emergence cause many immature grains and cracked grains. As for fertilizer trials, we are conducting an eco-fertilizer trial of Organic 20% for the main early-mid-late varieties.
　These efforts were backed by the prefecture-wide efforts to plant Koshihikari rice in mid-May (Satsuki) in order to improve quality in response to fierce competition among rice-producing regions, and by the promotion of Fukui rice farmers to become "eco-farmers. In reviewing the timing of rice planting, there were many challenges, such as the operation of seedling centers and the development of fertilizers, but thanks to the cooperation of many people, the landscape of the first half of May in Fukui was completely transformed.

　In 2013, a five-year review of rice production adjustment was announced from the viewpoint of respecting farmers' autonomy, and since then, the development of each prefecture's own brand of rice has accelerated.
　Although the Major Agricultural Seeds Law, which is the cornerstone for breeding varieties in public institutions, was repealed in 2008, Fukui Prefecture has enacted its own ordinance.
　In 2020, the main contents of the project were a dense seedling test, which is attracting attention as a new labor-saving technology, and fertilizer tests on Hanaechizen, Koshihikari, and Akisakari to improve quality and yield in response to global warming and earlier growth stages.

　The average yield during this period was 531 kg (520 kg in Fukui Prefecture), a slight increase from the previous period. The trend of rice oversupply is further intensifying due to declining rice consumption caused by the aging and shrinking population.

(1) Outline of variety testing, etc. (Birth of Ichihomare)

　In 2010, five varieties, including "Echigo-Tsumari No. 211" and "Echigo-Tsumari No. 221," were grown with "Hanaechizen" as the standard variety. The main varieties planted in 2011 are "Koshihikari", "Hanaetizen", "Ikuhikari", and "Akisakari". In 2014, Sakai Farm was commissioned by the prefectural government to conduct a trial to determine which varieties to promote. Since 2015, 10 lines have been tested in cooperation with the Fukui Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station with the goal of creating a post-Koshihikari variety, and Ichihomare was born in 2017.

　The main varieties in Fukui Prefecture in 2020 were Koshihikari, Hanaetizen, Akisakari, and Ichihore, with Koshihikari accounting for about 48% of the total.

(2) Outline of fertilizers, etc. (dissemination of eco-based one-shot fertilizers)

　The 2010 application standards show that the early-maturing varieties use No. 1 basal fertilizer and No. 1 additional fertilizer, while the mid- to late-maturing varieties Koshihikari and Akisakari use a one-shot basal fertilizer such as LP compound 966 containing organic matter. As of 2020, the conventional fertilizer for Koshihikari and Ichihomare was a one-shot eco-based fertilizer, and for Hanaetizen and Akisakari, a one-shot chemical-based fertilizer.

　The amount of fertilizer applied to Koshihikari in 2020 was 6 kg N/10a, half of the amount applied in the past when the amount was higher, in order to emphasize eating quality and taste. Currently, a review of ear fertilizer is under consideration to cope with the trend toward high temperatures during the ripening period.
　According to the Annual Report of Crop Statistics, the fertilizer cost per 10a in 2009 was 7,266 yen, and the rice price (average price in relative trade) was 15,683 yen per bale, which means that fertilizer cost as a percentage of rice income was about 61 TP3T.

Conclusion

　From the fertilization standards of the Meiji Era (120 years ago), which would be unthinkable today, there were soybean meal from the continent and kipper meal from Hokkaido, soybean meal and ammonium sulfate in the Taisho Era, lime superphosphate, lime nitrogen, etc. in the Showa Era, compound fertilizer after the war, and organic fertilizers, one-shot fertilizer, etc. in the Heisei Era. In the Meiji and Taisho periods, the majority of varieties were local species such as Shirachinji and Oba. In the first half of the Showa period (1926-1989), Nohbayashi No. 1 and Fukui Ginbouzu became popular, followed by Nohbayashi No. 23, Hounenwase, Manryo, Nihonbare, and Koshihikari in the postwar period, and finally the current Hanaechizen, Koshihikari, Akisakari, and Ichihomare. During this period, the yield per 10a of paddy rice has remarkably improved.

　The testing issues have also shifted from fertilizer and variety testing to ensure yield, to the pursuit of good quality rice, good taste, and labor saving (one-shot fertilization method, direct seeding, etc.).
　I am truly humbled by the efforts of our seniors who have devoted themselves to tireless research and hard work during this period, as well as the cooperation of related organizations.

　The current era is known as the "Warring States Period" of rice production, and all rice-producing regions have entered an era in which they are struggling to survive. Will the rice production in 2025 head toward an era of brand-name rice, low-cost commercial rice, and rice for export?
　In addition, the world is facing a number of issues such as hunger caused by population growth, global warming, and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, as well as diversifying market needs and development of low-cost materials.

　Currently, the government is working to promote the spread of smart farming technology and the Green Food System Strategy. Under these circumstances, I think it is more important than ever before for farms of farmers and farm management advisors to tackle issues that are more relevant to the field and contribute to raising farmers' income. I would like to back up Sakai Farm as a base for agricultural promotion that will be more useful to everyone than ever before.

reference data

80 Years of Sakai Farms (JA)
Sakai Farm 100 Year History (JA)
Progress of the Project for Breeding New Paddy Rice Varieties in Fukui Prefecture and its
　Results (Fukui Prefecture)
100 Years of the Agricultural Experiment Station (Fukui Prefecture)

No Soil - No. 8
　　Conditions for Good Soil Chemical Properties - Part 3
　　Crop nutrients in moderation

Hokkaido Branch Office, JCM Agri Co.
　Teruo Matsunaka Technical Advisor

　Of the four conditions for good soil for crop production, we have discussed three so far. This month, we begin the fourth and final condition. That is, we will consider the chemical properties of the soil, i.e., "the soil must contain an adequate amount of nutrients for crops. The question here is what kind of nutrients are contained in crops and how much are they in moderation.

1. 17 nutrients essential for plants (crops)

　We humans obtain the nutrients we need from food, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals (inorganic substances). In the same way, plants (crops are included in plants) also need nutrients, which we call nutrients.

　In particular, Arnon and Stout (1939) proposed that nutrients meeting the following three conditions be defined as essential nutrients that are indispensable for plant growth. This is now accepted. The three conditions are: 1) the plant cannot continue to grow without the nutrient (necessity), 2) the nutrient causes a specific deficiency without the nutrient and there is no other way to restore the symptoms to normal (non-substitutability), and 3) the nutrient plays a direct role in the nutrition of the plant (directness). (directness). The direct role means that the nutrient is a component of the plant body or is directly related to physiological reactions in the body.

　At present, there are 17 essential nutrients as follows. In addition to carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the other nine essential nutrients are nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulfur, in order of increasing requirement (Table 1). Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen can be absorbed from carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere and water (H2O) in the soil, so there is no shortage of these nutrients as long as plants grow on the earth. Therefore, the six most important macronutrients are nitrogen and sulfur. The remaining eight essential nutrients are iron, chlorine, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and nickel. These are called trace essential nutrients because they are required by plants in relatively small amounts (Table 1).

2. the controversy and settlement of what nutrients are

　In fact, the controversy over what is a nutrient for plants has a long history, dating back to the Greek and Roman periods. The debate began in Germany in the 19th century, settling the debate about nutrients between Thea, who believed that nutrients were organic (carbon-containing substances), and Shupe, who believed that they were inorganic (also known as minerals. The debate between Theja, who claimed that nutrients are organic (substances containing carbon), and Sprenger and Liebig, who claimed that they are inorganic (substances that do not contain carbon).

　The theory that organic matter is a nutrient was strongly influenced by the "vital energy theory" that was prevalent throughout society at the time. According to the animate theory, organic matter was produced with the help of a unique life force that existed only in living plants and animals, and that organic matter could not be produced from inorganic matter that did not have life. This argument, however, lost its basis when Weller of Germany synthesized urea, an organic substance, from inorganic substances in 1828. Thus, the controversy was settled on the basis of Sprenger and Liebig's claim that inorganic substances are nutrients. However, the idea that organic substances are nutrients has not disappeared, but has been handed down in the spirit of organic agriculture to this day.

3. moderate nutrient levels and soil diagnostic reference values

　By the way, how much of these nutrients must be present in the soil in adequate amounts? Moreover, crop nutrients are not merely sufficient if they are present in the soil, but they serve as nutrients for crops only when they are present in a form that can be absorbed by the crop (this is called the availability form). Therefore, to determine whether nutrients are adequately present in the soil, it is necessary to know how much nutrients are available in the availability form. Unfortunately, this cannot be determined just by looking at the soil. It can only be determined by analysis. In other words, nothing can be known without soil diagnosis.

　Soil diagnosis here refers to a series of operations in which the soil is analyzed to determine the pH level and the amount of available nutrients in the soil, to determine whether the analysis results are adequate, and to provide specific measures based on the results. The standard to judge whether the condition of soluble nutrients is adequate or not based on the analysis results is the soil diagnostic standard value. In other words, the appropriate amount of nutrients as a condition for good soil is the amount of nutrients in the soil that falls within the range of the soil diagnostic standard value.

　The amount of nutrients required by crops varies greatly from crop to crop. They may also be affected by the climatic conditions of the region where the crop is grown. For this reason, there is no uniform standard value for soil diagnosis that is valid for all crops in the country. Please refer to the information published by the testing and research institutes in your area to find out the specific values of soil diagnosis standards.

4. nutrient supplementation based on soil diagnosis results

　If all nutrients are within the range of soil diagnostic standards, the soil is considered to have adequate nutrients. However, this does not mean that compost, chemical fertilizers, or other materials do not need to be applied to the soil. This section introduces the basic concept of nutrient supplementation based on soil diagnosis results from a case study in Hokkaido, Japan.
　In Hokkaido, the "standard yield" is defined as the yield level that can be achieved through appropriate cultivation management under relatively favorable weather and soil conditions. Under conditions where soil nutrients are within the range of soil diagnostic standard values, the amount of nutrient supply (amount of chemical fertilizer as nutrients = amount of fertilizer applied) required to ensure this standard yield is the "standard fertilizer application amount" (Figure 1). It is based on the concept that the amount of nutrients required for a crop to produce the "standard yield" is secured from both the amount supplied by the soil and the amount supplied by chemical fertilizers and compost.

　Therefore, when soil nutrients are below the soil diagnostic standard, the amount of nutrients supplied by the soil is reduced, and the reduced amount must be supplemented with compost or chemical fertilizer in addition to the standard amount of fertilizer to produce the standard yield. Conversely, if soil nutrients are above the soil diagnostic standard, the amount of nutrients supplied by the soil will increase, and the reduced amount of nutrients from the standard amount of fertilizer will be sufficient (Figure 1). As mentioned above, the Hokkaido Fertilizer Guide 2020 provides specific numerical values for each crop as to how much to increase or decrease the standard amount of fertilizer based on the results of soil diagnosis. It may be helpful for your reference.