Regional and National Perspectives

As must be expected, differences in nitrogen applications go beyond the split between rich and poor countries regional and national application averages show significant departures from both global and continental means. The key worldwide 

The part of the world that most urgently needs increased fertilizer use is sub-Saharan Africa, where an insufficient supply of nutrients results not just in low crop yields but in the continuing decline of soil fertility. So far the most comprehensive assessment of soil degradation concluded that less than 30% of nitrogen (as well as just 15% K and less than 40% P) needed by the region s crops is actually replaced by fertilizers.  

Average nitrogen fertilizer applications in China s provinces in 1995. 

When judged by its overall use of nitrogen, U.S. agriculture appears to be quite dependent on synthetic fertilizers its annual consumption of more than 11 Mt N 

Nitrogen applications and yields of English winter wheat, 1945-1998. 

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