Agriculture and Science 8/9/2022

Coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphorus nitrate in open field summer/autumn green onion
　　In-chain pot fertilization technology for phosphate fertilizers

Hokkaido National Research Organization
Donan Agricultural Experiment Station, Agricultural Research Division
Research Department Production Technology Group
Chief Scientist (Cultivation Environment) Yuji Ohashi

Introduction

　In terms of the volume of leeks shipped nationwide (in 2028), Chiba Prefecture accounted for approximately 59,000 tons, followed by Saitama, Ibaraki, and Gunma Prefectures, and Hokkaido is the fifth largest leek producing region in Japan, shipping approximately 20,000 tons1). In Hokkaido, green onion cultivation is mainly conducted in the Watashima region (southwestern part of Hokkaido), the Sorachi region (central part), and the Tokachi region (southeastern part). In particular, the Watashima region accounts for most of the harvest in Hokkaido at 371 TP3T (in 2028), and the amount shipped outside of Hokkaido is 5 to 10 times larger than in other regions at approximately 5,000 tons2).

　In contrast to the Kanto region, where the production of leeks in the fall and winter season is high in open field, summer and fall cropping is the mainstream in Hokkaido, where weather conditions are different. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied to open field spring-mown summer-autumn cropping is indicated as "9 to 18 kg/10a (one to two times of fertilizer application)" based on soil diagnosis before planting3) .

　Under these circumstances, the use of fertilizer with regulated fertilizer efficacy, which enables the supply of nutrients according to the growth stage of the crop, is increasing in the production of other crops. These fertilizers include "coated phosphorus nitrate" that gradually releases nitrogen nutrients in response to temperature and moisture in the soil, and especially the "sigmoid type," which suppresses nitrogen release in the early stages, can be used at the seedling stage without adversely affecting the growth of seedlings. As a result, the entire amount of nitrogen required for cultivation in the open field (hereinafter referred to as "main field") after planting can be applied at the seedling stage, which is expected to reduce fertilizer use and reduce fertilizer application work in the main field through improved fertilizer application efficiency.

　The technology to apply fertilizer in seedling pots using coated phosphorus nitrate system has been applied to cabbage4) , onion5) , and tomatillo.
(3) and others. In the case of leeks, a technology has been developed for summer and winter cropping in the Kanto region, in which coated phosphorus nitrate is applied in chain pots during seedling growth to improve fertilizer application efficiency and to eliminate fertilizer application in the field7) , 8) . This technology is considered to be useful in Hokkaido, where leek crop types and fertilizer application amounts vary. On the other hand, it has been reported that the application of phosphoric acid in seedling pots (cells) can reduce the amount of phosphoric acid fertilization by 501 TP3T or more compared to conventional practice9) in cabbage, and improve early growth and stabilize yield10) in onions.

　In this paper, we report on the development of a technique for applying nitrogen and phosphoric acid, either separately or simultaneously, in chain pots during seedling growth using coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphate fertilizers in open field summer/fall leek cultivation in Hokkaido, Japan.

2. test conditions

　Seedlings were grown in unheated plastic greenhouses at the Donan Agricultural Experiment Station (Hokuto City, Hokkaido) and planted in the main field (brown lowland soil) from 2011 to 2013 (three consecutive years). The test cultivar was "Shirahane Ipponta" and the crop types were "September sowing (sown in March)" and "October sowing (sown in April)" for spring, summer, and fall sowing.

　Seedlings were sown in chain pots CP303 (264 holes/book) in a nonheated plastic greenhouse, with two seedlings per hole (seedlings grown on the ground), and "Nitten Onion Medium D (660 mg/L nitrogen - 2500 mg/L phosphoric acid - 100 mg/L potash)" was used as seedling culture medium. For in-chain pot fertilization, a mixture of coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphate fertilizer prepared using a fertilizer mixer and seedling medium was filled into CP303, and seedlings were sown and grown in the same manner. The seedlings were planted using the "Hittari-kun" transplanter at a planting density of 44,444 plants/10a (90 cm between plants, 5 cm between plants) in mid-May for September planting and in mid-June for October planting.

　The amount of fertilizer applied in the control plot was based on the preplanting soil analysis (hot water extractable nitrogen - toluoglinic acid - exchangeable potassium = 1.2-32-43 mg/100 g)11). That is, in the September crop, N-P2O5-K2O =
[12+7]-15-[3+3] (base fertilizer + partial application in [ ]), N-P2O5-K2O = [10+4+4]-15-[4 +2+2] in October.

3. nitrogen fertilization in chain pots of coated phosphorus nitrate

　The "sigmoid type" of coated phosphorus nitrate (J-Cam Agri Co., Ltd.) was selected to minimize nitrogen leaching during the seedling period, and three types with different nitrogen leaching rates were used (80-, 100-, and 140-day types; the numbers are the number of days that 80% of the contained nitrogen leached out in soil at 25°C).

　The number of days of nitrogen leaching (80% of nitrogen content) of coated phosphorus nitrate in the field after seedling growth and planting was examined in a burial test. The results showed that the nitrogen leaching from the 80-day type was about 150 days, 170 days, and 190 days in September, 100 days, and 140 days, respectively, and 120 days, 130 days, and 160 days, respectively, in October (Figure 1). Therefore, the 80-day type was considered unsuitable for use with in-pot nitrogen fertilization.

　Next, the nitrogen fertilizer application rate in the 100- and 140-day phosphorus nitrate coating types and chain pots (hereinafter abbreviated as "pots") was calculated.
(11, 14 kg/10a) in combination with in-pot nitrogen fertilization series (Photo 1) and control plots were established. In the in-pot nitrogen fertilization series, no nitrogen was applied in the main field, and phosphoric acid and potassium were the same in both test plots as in the control plot.
The dry matter weights (at the end of seedling growth) of seedlings in the nitrogen-fertilized in-pot series did not differ among treatments in September and October in either year (Table 1, upper panel), but the in-specification weights generally increased with the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied in the pot (Table 1, lower panel). In addition, there was no clear difference in the weight within specifications for the same amount of fertilizer applied in September, but in October, the weight within specifications tended to be higher in the 140-day type than in the 100-day type.

　The results showed that 14 kg/10a of in-pot nitrogen fertilizer was suitable for both September and October cropping, and the 140-day leaching type was the most effective type.

4. phosphate fertilization in chain pots of phosphate fertilizers

　To determine the best phosphatic fertilizers for in-pot phosphate fertilization and the amount of fertilizer applied, we set up test plots combining two levels (6 and 9 kg/10a) of in-pot phosphate fertilization with superphosphate lime (overstones), heavy superphosphate lime (heavy overstones), heavy baked phosphorus, and dissolved phosphorus fertilizer (dissolved phosphorus). The test plots with in-pot phosphoric acid fertilization were not fertilized with phosphoric acid in the main field, and the nitrogen and potash amounts applied in the main field were the same in both test plots as in the control plot.

　Looking through the results of the three-year trial on the effects of phosphatic fertilizers on seedling dry matter weight, we found that overstones, heavy overstones, and heavy burned phosphorus tended to reduce or decrease seedling dry matter weight compared to the control, but not soluble phosphorus (Table 2, top row). To clarify this factor, we examined the relationship between media pH and EC and seedling dry matter weight at planting.

　When overstones, heavy overstones, and heavy burnt phosphorus containing water-soluble phosphoric acid components were used, the pH and EC of the medium decreased and the dry matter weight of seedlings tended to decrease (Figure 2). On the other hand, dissolved phosphorus, which does not contain water-soluble phosphoric acid, showed smaller changes in media pH and EC than other phosphatic fertilizers, and had less effect on seedling dry matter weight. These results suggest that the decrease in seedling dry matter weight associated with in-pot phosphate fertilization is due to a decrease in media pH and an increase in EC.

　Next, looking at the three-year within-specification weights, no clear differences were observed between the September and October treatments in either year, suggesting that with phosphate fertility (32 mg/100 g) equal to or higher than that of the test plots in this study, the same within-specification weights as in the control plots could be obtained with a dissolved phosphorus application of 6 to 9 kg/10a, which has a slow initial fertilization effect (lower part of Table 2). (lower part of Table 2).
　The results indicate that soluble phosphorus is suitable for in-pot phosphoric acid fertilization, and that phosphoric acid application amounts in the range of 6 to 9 kg/10a are appropriate.

5. simultaneous application of coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphate fertilizer in chain pots

　The test plots were set up for simultaneous in-pot application of coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphate fertilizer, combining a nitrogen fertilizer rate of 14 kg/10a of coated phosphorus nitrate (140-day type) with an in-pot phosphoric acid rate of 6 or 9 kg/10a of soluble phosphorus. In the test plot with simultaneous in-pot fertilization, no nitrogen or phosphate was applied in the main field, and the amount of potash applied in the main field was the same in both test plots as in the control plot.

　The results of the two-year trial showed that the dry matter weight and in-specification weight of seedlings in the simultaneous in-pot fertilizer application area did not differ significantly from those in the control area, and were similar (Table 3).

　These results indicate that the simultaneous in-pot application of coated phosphorus nitrate and phosphate fertilizer, combining coated phosphorus nitrate 140-day type at a nitrogen fertilizer rate of 14 kg/10a and soluble phosphorus at a phosphate fertilizer rate of 6 to 9 kg/10a, ensured healthy seedling growth and produced in-specification weights comparable to those in the control area.

6. utilization aspects and points to note

　The results were obtained in a field with low nitrogen fertility (less than 3 mg N/100 g hot water extractable nitrogen) and phosphate fertility that fell within the "standard value (20 to 40 mg/100 g toluoroglycolic acid)" after planting, using a sigmoid-type phosphorus nitrate coating with low initial leaching as a nitrogen fertilizer. In this case, the use of this technology enables a reduction of up to 4 kg/10 a of nitrogen and 6-9 kg/10 a of phosphoric acid compared to the current fertilizer use3) , and eliminates the need for nitrogen and phosphoric acid fertilization in the main field.

　In fields where phosphate fertility is below the standard value (toluoglinic acid less than 20 mg/100 g), it is recommended that the soil be amended to the standard value before introducing this technology.

References

(1) Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 2019.Vegetable Production and Shipment Statistics.
(2) Hokkaido Agricultural Cooperative Central Association and Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives 2021. map of Hokkaido vegetables, p58.
(3) Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Department 2020. hokkaido Fertilizer Guide 2020, p113. hokkaido Agricultural Extension Association, Hokkaido.
4) Hirokuni Iwasa, Eiichi Otsuka, Takashi Shingyoji, Mitsuru Inoue and Hiroyuki Kobayashi 2005.
　Nitrogen-reducing Cultivation of Cabbage with High Nitrogen Content. Chiba Agricultural Research Institute Journal, 4. p23-31.
5) Masayuki Onodera 2011. in transplanted onions.
　In-Pot Fertilization Method Using Fertilizer with Controlled Fertilizer Effects. Soil Fertilizer Journal, 82, p312-315.
6) Kosugi, T., Nakamura, H., and Wakazawa, H. 2007. In-pot total fertilization of tomato seedlings using fertilizer with controlled fertilizer effect.
　Dohi Journal, 78, p207-211.
7) Yamamoto, F. and Matsumaru, T. 2007a.
　A Study of Manure Nitrogen Content. Dohi Journal, 78, p179-186.
8) Yamamoto, F. & Matsumaru, T. 2007b: Growth and yield effects of total nitrogen fertilization in leek chain pots.
　The influence of the "Hashimoto's" disease on the health of the Japanese people. Dohi Journal, 78, p371-378.
(9) Chiba Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center, FY 2014 List of Issues for Dissemination of Information on Results of Experimental Studies "Vegetables 4. Phosphoric Acid
　Phosphate Reduction in Cabbage by In-Cell Fertilization of
10) Masayuki Onodera, Eisuke Itagaki, Akihiro Furudate, Yuya Kitani, Yuji Hikasa 2014. in transplanted onions.
　Phosphate Reduction Techniques Using Foliar Spray and In-Pot Fertilization. Soil Fertilizer Journal, 85, p245-249.
(11) Hokkaido Agricultural Administration Department, 2010. Hokkaido Fertilizer Guide 2010, p. 108. Hokkaido Agricultural Extension Association, Hokkaido.

Changes in Agricultural Cooperative Farming Activities in the Kamimashiki Area and My Encounters

Agricultural cooperative Kashima Regional Farm
Former President and Representative Director
(Currently, Special Advisor) Kenichi Kudo

Introduction.

　The Kashima Regional Farm is located in Kashima-cho, in the southern part of Kumamoto City, and is the largest farm in Kyushu with 477 hectares of farmland (Figure 1). Currently, as a special advisor to Kashima Regional Farm, I am making efforts to establish paddy farming centering on paddy rice, wheat, and soybeans, and to improve farmers' income. In this paper, I would like to review the agricultural cooperative farming activities I have been involved in over the years.

Progression to becoming an employee of an agricultural cooperative

　I was born the eldest son of a farmer, and my parents farmed rice, wheat, and silkworms on 1.5 ha of their own land. I graduated from a prefectural agricultural high school in 1959 as the successor to my parents, and went on to become a farmer.

　In 1960, three of his classmates in the village introduced greenhouse horticulture, and in 1960, they introduced a 20-a greenhouse for growing greenhouse tomatoes, and worked hard to improve farmers' income through a combined management of rice, wheat, and greenhouse tomatoes. In 1970, the local Rokka Agricultural Cooperative Association requested him to become a farmer in order to strengthen the cooperative system, not only for rice and wheat farming, but also for horticulture and livestock breeding, as part of its vision for the future.

　As a farm advisor for agricultural cooperatives, I have explained the advantages of cooperative system production materials to members and provided them with inexpensive, high-quality production materials to encourage them to engage in planned crop cultivation in the hope of improving productivity.

2. 2. Meeting with strain Kumiai Chisso Vinyl

　In 1970, Kumamoto Keizairen (Kumamoto Economic Federation) launched a plan to establish cooperative farming complexes as a means of transport gardening, and worked to put cultivation into practice with the goal of becoming Japan's top producer of watermelons and melons.

　The Rokka Agricultural Cooperative also established a melon club with 30 households engaged in greenhouse cultivation of Prince melons, and worked to improve the efficiency of joint work by dividing into two groups for joint seedling raising and joint vinyl covering of pipe greenhouses. Vinyl manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Monsanto, Mitsui Vinyl, and Kumiai Vinyl of the red line vinyl system were used by the farmers, but the joint work with Chisso Kumiai Vinyl, which I promoted, started at 5:00 a.m., and the poor quality of the vinyl, including tension, shrinkage, and stretching, was more noticeable than that of other manufacturers. This was the reason for the problem. I reported the current situation to the Chisso-Minamata Vinyl Laboratory and requested quality improvement. The laboratory worked to improve the quality of the vinyl by adding catholytic agents, etc., and the Melon Club also visited the laboratory and made an inspection of the quality of Kumiaye Vinyl (Chisso).

　There were 15 to 16 agricultural cooperatives established in Kamimashiki County at that time, and the Kamimashiki County Economic Promotion Committee, which coordinates the production materials of the Kumamoto Economic Federation, had established a headquarters for promoting the business of the system, consisting of executives and employees of each agricultural cooperative. Each agricultural cooperative's share of the market for vinyl in the system was about 20%. In the meeting in charge of handling "Chisso Kumiai Vinyl," we proposed the expansion of 100% Chisso vinyl as a lineage product, explained the efforts of the Melon Club of Rokka NNK, and worked to strengthen the cooperative system for receiving orders for lineage vinyl (Chisso). The quality of Kumiai Vinyl was improved over the next three to four years, and it became a production material that can withstand year-round use as a strain of vinyl for spring and fall melon cultivation and continues to be used by horticultural farmers.

3. Special Cultivation Rice Initiatives

　The former Kamimashiki Agricultural Cooperative was established in March 1989 through the merger of three agricultural cooperatives from the towns of Kashima, Mifune, and Kosa.
In this context, there were two sales systems for staple food rice, government rice and rice for voluntary distribution, and the cooperative made a "pivot" in the direction of a sales system to increase farmers' income through the production of rice for voluntary distribution.

　In order to meet the needs of consumers for staple rice 10 years in the future, Kumamoto Prefecture also set a guideline for growing "health-conscious and environmentally friendly" rice. The efforts were discussed at a meeting of the agricultural cooperative's board of directors, the initiatives were announced, publicized and put into practice at a regional roundtable meeting, and a plan for profitable sales was formulated.

　In 1997, three agricultural cooperatives in the prefecture were involved in this project. A joint meeting was held with related organizations to discuss a cultivation plan for 1,000 ha of flat land, but it was difficult to consolidate opinions at the meeting.

4. plan to collect the entire amount of agricultural cooperative country rice and introduce special rice cultivation

　(1) The variety "Morinokuma-san" is designated as a unified special cultivation variety.
　(2) Prepare a manual for the use of specially cultivated rice, exclusive fertilizers, exclusive designated pesticides, and use of the specially cultivated rice.
　The production materials (fertilizers) distributed in the Kashima, Mifune, and Kosa regions are organic in nature, so they are not expensive.
　　Prepare an explanatory manual for growers because of the high ratings that will result.
　(4) Breakdown of the 5,700-ton collection system of the agricultural cooperative country elevator (hereinafter referred to as "CE") (all cargo collection)
　　(Figure 2).
　　Rokka CE 2,000 tons, Oshima CE 2,000 tons
　　Kosa CE: 1,000 tons, Mifune CE: 700 tons
　　Total 5,700t
　The sales system for rice is as follows: (1) In the sales plan of the Voluntary Distribution Council, the Federation of Economic Organizations and agricultural cooperatives provide the wholesalers with a plan to sell rice produced under the special cultivation system.
　　Provide itemized explanations of materials and strive for advantageous sales.
　(6) Each field of specially cultivated rice will be marked with a signboard for specially cultivated fields, and all the plots will be implemented. (4,000 rice plots in Kashima area)
　　(writing) brush

5. special cultivation practices and meeting with JCAM Agri Co.

　In 1997, 350 hectares of the then new paddy rice variety "Morinokuma-san" was introduced as a new special cultivation rice in Kumamoto Prefecture within the jurisdiction of Oshima CE and Rokka CE, and new challenges arose.

　One reason was that some 40 individual farmers in Kashima had continued to deal with fertilizer suppliers outside of the system for paddy rice fertilizer, which made it difficult to deal with them. We explained to these farmers the purpose of the manual, which states that fertilizers other than those produced by the agricultural cooperatives are not to be discussed in price negotiations, in the course of voluntary price negotiations in accordance with the manual for the introduction of special rice cultivation. In addition, since fertilizers for special cultivation are about 20% more expensive than chemical fertilizers, a competitive bidding system was introduced for five fertilizer manufacturers to reduce costs for farmers, and JCM Agri Co. The JA Kamimashiki Agricultural Cooperative's one-shot fertilizer system for rice and wheat was introduced from 1997 to 2021 as "Morinokuma-san Fertilizer," and with an annual transaction price of 1 million yen with the manufacturer, orders of approximately 2.3 billion yen over 23 years (from 1997 to 2021) have been placed through system utilization, and a movement to utilize all agricultural cooperatives in the Zen-Noh and Keizairen units has been developed. The campaign to utilize all of the agricultural cooperatives in the Zen-Noh and Keizairen units is being developed.

　Since 2021, JA Kamimashiki has been contributing to quality improvement and the production of high-quality rice as the first fertilizer for the cultivation of the new paddy rice variety "Kumasan no Shine".

Conclusion

　In addition to paddy rice, Kashima Regional Farm is also working on measures to expand production of soybeans and wheat based on future consumer needs. For example, the farm is participating in the government-sponsored Wheat and Soybean Profitability and Productivity Project, and is working on the liquidation and establishment of farmland complexes to strengthen and improve the efficiency of the soybean and wheat production base (Figure 3).

　Finally, my motto is "Guidance with passion," and I will continue to lead farming activities with passion to improve farmers' income and establish sustainable paddy field agriculture in the area.

No Soil - No. 14
　　Era of change in nutrient source from compost to chemical fertilizers.
　　-The Historical Background

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

　The significant effect of compost on crop production can be traced back as far as the time of Aristotle. It was not until the Norfolk farming in the 19th century that compost was actively used to transfer nutrients to farmland and to increase food production (see the May issue of this year's Newsletter). This month's story is about the shift from compost to chemical fertilizers as a source of nutrients. The trigger was the agricultural depression. What was the background?

1. what the Flemish saying teaches

　The Norfolk method was a four-year crop rotation (wheat - fodder turnips - barley - red clover) that was derived from the nutrient cycle (Figure 1).

　It is a recycling-oriented agriculture in which nutrients in the soil are absorbed by fodder crops (fodder turnips and red clover) that serve as livestock feed, the feed is fed to livestock, the nutrients are collected from the livestock in the form of manure, and finally the manure is transferred to the fields for human food production. This was the very essence of the old adage "No feed, no livestock; no livestock, no manure; no manure, no harvest" passed down from generation to generation in the Flemish region of mainland Europe (present-day southern Netherlands to western Belgium and northern France) across the river from Norfolk, England. This saying eloquently describes the major role of compost as a nutrient transfer material (fertilizer) for maintaining crop production in the European crop rotation.

　However, there is another point in this saying that should not be overlooked. The compost is a source of fertilizer, but it is also a source of fodder for livestock. As the Flemish proverb points out, compost cannot be produced as a source of nutrients without producing crops that feed livestock (forage crops) rather than food for people. That is why Norfolk Farming allocates half of the land area on the farm to fodder crop production and adds fodder turnips and red clover to the crop rotation. This has not only increased the number of livestock that can be raised, but also made it possible to keep the livestock in the barns through the winter. As a result, the recovery rate of livestock manure has increased, and the production of manure as a source of nutrients has increased. This has made it possible to increase the amount of manure applied to fields that produce food for people. This has allowed the yield levels of wheat and barley to nearly double at a stroke.

2. alternative sources of compost nutrients needed to escape agricultural depression

　Until the use of chemical fertilizers became commonplace, this method of farming became widely popular because of its revolutionary high yields. In the 19th century, British agriculture entered a golden age at the height of Norfolk farming. However, this golden age did not last long. The Cereal Laws, which had previously restricted grain imports, were repealed, and inexpensive wheat was imported in large quantities from the United States and Canada. This caused a major blow to wheat cultivation in the U.K. and led to an agricultural depression. This depression began around 1875 and continued for about 60 years, although it was temporarily interrupted during World War I (McLean, 1991).

　The agricultural depression was severe in the Norfolk region as well. In Norfolk farming, fodder turnips and red clover plots, which are grown to feed livestock, generate no direct income. They are grown for manure production as a source of nutrients. In order to get out of the recession, farmers have been tempted to stop the unprofitable forage production and grow cash crops to feed people. This would increase their profits. However, there was a problem. If they stopped producing fodder, they would no longer be able to feed their livestock, which would also mean that they would no longer be able to produce compost, and crop production itself would decline. Therefore, the important thing was to find a source of nutrients that could be substituted for compost. This is where chemical fertilizers, which were beginning to be sold and distributed at the time, came into the spotlight.

3. results of agricultural experiment stations established with farmers' investment

　The world's first commercial chemical fertilizer, superphosphate lime, was introduced on July 1, 1843. This was shortly before the onset of the agricultural depression. Of course, chemical fertilizers were not widely used by ordinary farmers. It was still some time before chemical fertilizers became widely available. Everyone was concerned about whether chemical fertilizers, which had never been used before, could really be an alternative source of nutrients to compost. Scientific support was needed to resolve this issue. Therefore, Norfolk farmers funded themselves to establish the Norfolk Agricultural Experiment Station (later succeeded by the Morley Research Center and now The Morley Agricultural Foundation) in 1908 (Figure 2).

　Results of a 12-year long-term crop rotation trial at the Norfolk Agricultural Experiment Station showed that when crop residues (e.g., wheat straw and sugar beet tops) are incorporated into the soil with chemical fertilizers, wheat and barley seedling yields can be maintained at the same level as in composted treatments, even without the application of compost ( Raynsand Culpin, 1948). Based on these results, it was recommended that sugar beets be grown instead of turnips for forage and that balayasho be grown instead of red clover (McLean, 1991), provided that chemical fertilizers were used in combination. Thus, concerns about chemical fertilizers were gradually resolved, and the source of nutrients for Norfolk farming gradually shifted from compost to chemical fertilizers, leading to the acceptance of chemical fertilizers in the world.

4. dilemma associated with compost production in recycling-oriented agriculture

　The main reason for the introduction of chemical fertilizers into Norfolk farming was the need for land to produce fodder for livestock, which is the key to the nutrient cycle. The agricultural depression made it impossible to allocate that land for feed production. Moreover, as crop yields increase, the amount of nutrients taken out of the field also increases. This requires a large amount of compost as a source of nutrients to replenish the crop. Increased production of manure requires an increase in the number of livestock, as well as more farmland for the production of feed for the increased number of livestock. However, the profitability of that farmland is low. This is the dilemma that arises when trying to rely solely on compost as a source of nutrients in recycling-oriented agriculture.

　More importantly, as Liebig, who with Sprengel argued that plant nutrients are inorganic, once criticized, there can be no perfect cycle in any cyclical agriculture. The produce is taken off the farm to be sold. The nutrients absorbed by the farmland are surely taken out of the circulation path. Unless the nutrients are brought in from outside the circulation path, the nutrients contained in the farmland in the circulation path are gradually depleted. Liebig called this plunder agriculture and recommended the use of chemical fertilizers to replenish nutrients.

5. another test to confirm fertilizer efficacy of chemical fertilizers

　It was Rose of England who first introduced chemical fertilizers to the world. Rose was also concerned about whether chemical fertilizers were really as effective as compost. He therefore founded the Rothamsted Agricultural Experiment Station on his own to test the efficacy of fertilizers. This was 65 years before the Norfolk Agricultural Experiment Station, the oldest agricultural experiment station in the world. The testing began in 1843, the year chemical fertilizers were first sold. These tests have continued to the present day, some 180 years later. We will discuss the results in next month's issue.