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Contents
Introduction Yara the global company The role of fertilizers in: Feeding the world - the social dimension of sustainability Making crop production competitive - the economic dimension of sustainability Protecting the environment - the ecological dimension of sustainability
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A
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13
Mineral fertilizers - Essential plant nutrients for sustainable food production What is fertilizer? How and when were fertilizers invented? Why are mineral fertilizers necessary? How are fertilizers produced? Where do fertilizer raw materials originate? How long will the natural deposits of raw materials for fertilizers last? Why manufacture soluble mineral fertilizers? Why not just grind up natural minerals? Why are manufactured fertilizers called mineral fertilizers and sometimes chemical fertilizers? Which nutrients are most needed? Why is adding sulphur to fertilizers more necessary now than previously? Organic fertilizers: Are they environmentally better or worse than mineral fertilizers? Can nature make up for nutrient deficiencies? What happens to nitrogen fertilizer?
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Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 Q19 Q20 Q21 Q22 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q26
Fertilizer use in agriculture Do fertilizers increase soil fertility (productivity)? How are fertilizer application rates derived? How much fertilizer does a crop need? What constitutes balanced and timely applications of fertilizers? Does precision farming give any benefit to the farmer or the environment? Is the condition of fertilizer spreaders important? What is the effect of uneven spreading of fertilizers and how can it be minimised? How efficiently is fertilizer nitrogen used by crops? What is the efficiency of different forms of nitrogen in crop production? Do fertilizers acidify the soil? Does fertilizer use make plants susceptible to pests, disease and weed infestation? Do fertilizers cause soil compaction and/or erosion? Does fertilizer use contribute to drought problems in agriculture?
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Q27 Q28 Q29 Q30 Q31 Q32 Q33 Q34 Q35 Q36 Q37
Fertilizer Environmental impacts What environmental problems occur if application rates are well below recommended rates? What detrimental effects can excessive nitrogen application cause? Do fertilizers leach to ground water? Isnt there an increased risk of leaching when applying highly soluble nitrogen fertilizers? Do fertilizers give off ammonia, which is an atmospheric pollutant? What problems does ammonia volatilization cause? Is the economic optimum fertilizing intensity in conflict with environmental consideration? Do we gain or lose useful energy by using mineral fertilizers? How much energy (fossil fuel) does it take to make one kg of nitrogen fertilizer? Are fertilizers free of toxic substances and safe to handle? What is the companys policy regarding fertilizers and the wider environment?
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Yara
Yara
In a world characterized by continuous population growth and limited availability of new land for farming and cultivation, soil productivity must be continuously increased in order to satisfy the demand for food. Without the use of mineral fertilizers, a large proportion of the worlds population would starve. A further benefit is reduced pressure on natural vegetation through increased production from cropped land.
Yara
Global trends in population growth, grain yield and origin of plant nutrients
8
Actual data Projected
-4
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
-3
o Populati
-2
ield Grain y
0 1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
-0 2020
Year
Source: Stapel (1982) with latest data added.
"Because synthetic nitrogen fertilizers provided about half of the nutrient in harvested crops, roughly 40% of the world's dietary protein supply in the mid-1990's originated in the Harber-Bosch synthesis of ammonia."
(Abstract: Professor Vaclav Smil, University of Manitoba, Canada. 1999 Travis P Hignett Lecture, IFDC, AL, USA. IFDC Reference: LS-2, October 1999.)
Yara
Yara
Water Ice
Other land
Grass
Crops
Yara
Yara
Q1
What is fertilizer?
H2O
O2
CO2
Primary nutrients
N
Secondary nutrients
P
B Zn
K
Micro-nutrients
Ca
Mg
Fe
Cu
Mn Mo
Cl
Yara
Q2
A Deficiency of any Single Nutrient is Enough to Limit Yield
Manufactured fertilizers were introduced to European agriculture in the middle of the 19th century, after the discovery of the principles of plant nutrition. In the 1830s, Justus von Liebig (1803-1873) discovered that minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were plant nutrients. The scientist concluded that these mineral plant nutrients originated from mineralized plant residues and other organic soil material. It was concluded that a deficiency of any single nutrient was enough to limit yield. The value of fertilizers was demonstrated in the worlds first agricultural field trials at Rothamsted in the UK. These trials continue to provide valuable information in fertilizer efficiency, with the long term trial on the Broadbalk site in continuous existence since 1856. The history of fertilizer manufacture begins around 160 years ago. Some important milestones are: 1842 1905 1911 1927 J B Lawes produces superphosphate from rock phosphate at Rothamsted First production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer at Notodden in Norway Haber-Bosch process introduced to manufacture ammonia Nitrophosphate process developed in Norway
Sodium
Oxygen
Yield
Warmth Phosphorus Magnesium Potassium Nitrogen Sulphur Chlorine
Calcium
Light
Water
Iron
Carbon Dioxide
Boron
The law of the minimum illustrated by barrel staves of varying lengths representing growth-controlling factors.
Yaras history goes back to 1905 when Norsk Hydro was established following the revolutionary invention of Birkeland & Eyde, utilizing Norways vast reserves of hydroelectric power to capture nitrogen from the air. Yara has responded to the global need for mineral fertilizers through developing fertilizer products and expert advice systems and services, which promote the responsible use of the Companys products and support sustainable agricultural production systems. Agronomic competence is a unique and integral part of Yaras offering to growers of crops, wherever they are in the world.
N
organic matter mineralization
K P Mg
soil
Ca
Yara
Q3
2.1 9.3
235 1042
593 885**
-358 157
282 95
* Assuming grain market price: 112 EUR/tonne (EU intervention price = 101 EUR/tonne) ** Cost increase due to intensive production including purchase of N fertilizer
Source: Winter wheat, long term trial, Broadbalk, Rothamsted (since 1856). Production cost: data from KTBL Germany.
Yara
Q4
The production processes vary in accordance with the nutrients needed to be included in the fertilizer. The components of finished fertilizer products are relatively simple chemicals, but highly developed manufacturing technologies are employed in the production of high quality mineral fertilizers. There are various steps involved in their manufacture, from the raw materials, through intermediates, to the finished products. Nitrogen (N) Fertilizers: The supply of nitrogen, determines a plants growth, vigour, colour and yield. Increasing the nitrogen supply to a crop tends to increase the crops content of substances that contain nitrogen such as proteins and vitamin B1. The intermediate product in the case of nitrogen fertilizers is ammonia (NH3), which is produced by combining nitrogen extracted from the air with hydrogen which is obtained from natural gas, or through the hydrocarbon steam reforming process. Approximately 85% of the ammonia plants in the EU use natural gas. Measures to improve production processes have focused on reducing the amount of hydrocarbon feedstock required to produce a tonne of ammonia. The further processing of ammonia produces straight N fertilizers such as urea, ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate, as well as solutions of the above fertilizers and ammonium sulphate. Ammonia is also the main intermediate for many multi-nutrient fertilizers. Phosphate (P) Fertilizers: Phosphorus is required for good rooting and resistance to drought, for plant growth and development, for the ripening of seed and fruit and in the manufacture and use of sugars and complex carbohydrates. A good supply of phosphorus is essential in the first stages of a plants life and for early maturity. This nutrient is often described or declared as phosphate (P2O5) rather than phosphorus (P). This is just a convention and the terms can be used interchangeably but care needs to be taken with fertilizer recommendations, as 1 kg P is equivalent to 2.291 kg P2O5. Rock phosphate (27 - 38% P2O5) is the raw material source from which most types of phosphate fertilizers are produced, with minor exceptions such as basic slag (12 18% P2O5), which is a by-product of steel production. In its unprocessed state, rock phosphate is not suitable for direct application, as the phosphorus it contains is insoluble at soil pH above 6.5. To transform the phosphorus into a plant-available form Urea plant and to obtain a more concentrated product, phosphate rock is processed using sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and/or Ammonium nitrate plant nitric acid. Acidulation by means of sulphuric acid produces either phosphoric acid, an intermediate product in the Calcium nitrate plant production of triple superphosphate (TSP), AN monoammonium phosphate (MAP), NPK fertilizer plant diammonium phosphate (DAP) and complex fertilizers, or single superphosphate (SSP). Acidulation using Ammonium phosphate plant phosphoric acid produces TSP , and acidulation using nitric acid produces NP Superphosphate plant slurries for use in the manufacture of complex fertilizers.
CO2
Rock
Nitrophosphate plant
Salts of K, Mg, S
Rock
Sulphur
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10
Complex fertilizer plant Nitrogen (N) 4.4 kg/h Fluorides (F) 0.04 kg/h Ammonia (NH3) 16.2 kg/h Sulphur dioxide (SO2) 0.14 kg/h Fertilizer dust 21.4 kg/h
Every year all Yara sites publish an environmental map with emission figures and performance relative to the environmental permits.
Potash (K) Fertilizers: Potassium controls water relations in plants and helps give plant cells their turgor or stiffness. This is important for crop quality and resistance to disease. Sufficient potassium is also critical for vitamin and mineral content, for texture, firmness and resistance to drought. It is particularly significant in plants that store large amounts of sugar and starch, like potatoes. It is also vital for the root nodule bacteria on legumes which fix nitrogen from the air. This nutrient is often described or declared as potash (K2O) rather than potassium (K). Whilst just a convention, the terms can be used interchangeably but care needs to be taken with fertilizer recommendations, as 1 kg K is equivalent to 1.205 kg K2O. Most potassium used in fertilizer production is taken from natural deposits of potassium chloride. The mined material is crushed and purified by the removal of rock particles and salt and then applied direct, or more usually incorporated in NPK fertilizers. Relatively small amounts of potassium sulphate also are used in fertilizers. Multi-nutrient Fertilizers: Multi-nutrient fertilizers produced in the EU are either complex fertilizers (every particle contains the same ratio of nutrients), or blends (made by mixing particles of different materials). Typically, complex NPK fertilizers are manufactured by producing slurries of ammonium phosphates, to which potassium salts are added prior to granulation or prilling. PK fertilizers, on the other hand, are generally produced as compounds by the steam granulation of super phosphates (SSP or TSP) with potassium salts. Yara has a balanced nutrient range of fertilizer products, which has been specially developed for the worlds major crops. The Company produces and markets complex NPKs, Nitrates (ammonium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate), UAN, Urea, Ammonia and other differentiated and value added speciality fertilizers containing one or more micronutrients.
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Yara
Q5
Storage
Sourcing of materials
Product Stewardship
Transportation Packaging
Manufacturing
Yara
12
Q6
How long will the natural deposits of raw materials for fertilizers last?
Phosphorus and potassium are considered to be among the most abundant elements in the earth's crust. Scarcity of fossil fuels as a raw material and for energy use in production is of concern. Agriculture is a relatively minor user of energy, using less than 5% of total EU energy, with food processing, transport and preparation accounting for a further 10%. There are known reserves of oil and natural gas for approximately 40 to 60 years. New deposits are found each year, but at some time in the future, scarcity may appear. When this happens other methods for fertilizer production will be needed, for example that based on hydro electric power discovered by Norsk Hydro in 1905. Lifestyles in the developed world and rising demand from growing economies in China, South America and elsewhere, will affect the future price, and perhaps supply, of oil and gas. This will directly affect production of nitrogen fertilizers. Phosphorus and potassium are considered to be among the most abundant elements in the earth's crust. Easily available resources of phosphate are expected to last for about 90 years, and it is likely with ongoing exploration activities, that more will be discovered. The same is true for potassium reserves. Raw materials for other plant nutrients are also available in sufficient amounts compared with agricultural needs. Boron is a possible exception. Yara develops and manages the Companys activities to make efficient use of energy and raw materials. It works systematically to reduce emissions to air, water and the ground and to minimize waste and ensure the safe handling of the Companys products.
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Yara
Q7
Why manufacture soluble mineral fertilizers? Why not just grind up natural minerals?
Manufacturing processes are necessary for the nutrients in fertilizers to be in a form which is readily available to plants in the quantities required. Nitrogen: The only naturally occurring source that contains nitrogen in a plant-available form is "Chile saltpeter" (sodium nitrate). This "mineral" in a purified form is used as fertilizer, but supplies are inadequate for world agriculture. Phosphorus: Nutrients are only available to plants when dissolved in water. Most minerals containing phosphorus are so insoluble that they are ineffective as a phosphorus source though some rock phosphates are sufficiently reactive for use on acidic soils. Even reactive phosphates are too insoluble where a rapid response (on soils with low phosphorus status) is needed. Fine grinding of these rock phosphates does not sufficiently improve their availability. Potassium:
Most potassium fertilizers contain a ground-up natural mineral, potassium chloride.
With a few exceptions, other minerals containing potassium are so insoluble that they
are relatively ineffective as a nutrient source. Very high application rates would be
required, but even then the results would be unreliable. Production processes developed and used by Yara ensure nutrients are converted into forms that can be taken up by plants. Yara is a truly global fertilizer company with a presence in approximately 50 countries around the world, and selling to more than 120 countries through an extensive marketing and distribution network consisting of more than 160 plants, terminals and warehouses.
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Major Plants Office No. of plants/
terminals/warehouses
On the ground in 50 countries, sales to more than 120 countries, more than 160 infrastructure points.
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Q8
Why are manufactured fertilizers called mineral fertilizers and sometimes chemical fertilizers?
Mineral fertilizers is the best descriptive name, as they are manufactured from minerals. Mineral fertilizers contain plant nutrients that occur naturally in the soil, in a concentrated form. For more detailed information, please refer to the answers to previous Questions, 1-7. Fertilizers that are manufactured are sometimes called mineral, artificial, inorganic, industrial or chemical. Of these, mineral is the best description as this describes the source. The other terms can be applied to a wide range of material, for example, all nutrients, regardless of source, are inorganic when taken up by plants. Sludge and often organic waste used as fertilizer can be called artificial, industrial or chemical. Yara produces mineral fertilizers to high quality standards, which means: Nutrients are available to crops. Fertilizer can be spread evenly and accurately. Production processes minimise energy use and emissions.
300
kg/T
200
100
Cattle manure
18
T/ha
12
0.286
Cattle manure
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Yara
Q9
17% 24%
59%
Nitrogen (N)
Plant residues, manures Fertilizer P Non-labile P in apatites and soil minerals Slow Slow Fast Labile P bonds to minerals Easily degradable organic P Slowly degradable organic P Soil solution Mineralization soil microbes
Yara
16
Q10
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Yara
Q11
Manures table
Source Cattle manures Slurry FYM Sewage sludge
Organic fertilizers: Are they environmentally better or worse than mineral fertilizers?
Both organic and mineral fertilizers have their place in sustainable agriculture. Manures and crop residues are by-products in agriculture that contain valuable crop nutrients and should be used wherever available and taken into account when making fertilizer recommendations.
% dry matter N 9 22 20 - 40 17 - 20 70
Nutrients, % of dry matter P 0.8 0.8 0.2 - 3 0.1 - 1 0.25 K 4.8 1.3 <0.1 0.1 0.76
Source: NMI (cattle manure), ifa/fao conf march 2003 (sewage sludge and town refuse).
There are not enough nutrients in organic wastes to compensate for those removed
by high yielding crops and for unavoidable losses, the balance must be made up from
mineral fertilizers.
There are considerable environmental problems with the use of manures. Techniques
for improved handling and soil application are being developed.
Part of the nitrogen in manures is not available to the crop during the growing season,
with some mineralized later during non-vegetative periods, then lost through leaching.
Ammonia loss during open storage or after surface spreading of manures can be
substantial.
The separation of livestock and arable farming, with the concentration of animals in
some regions and arable crops in others, has lead to nutrient distribution inefficiency,
with a surplus in the animal farming regions. The low nutrient content and bulky nature
of manures makes transportation inconvenient and costly.
Fertilizer characteristics;
Organic compared to mineral fertilizer
Characteristic Nutrient source Nutrient concentration Nutrient availability Quality control Organic fertilizer Crop residues and animal manures Low concentration Variable Often inconsistent Mineral fertilizer Nitrogen from the air and minerals from the soil High concentration Immediately available for the crop Traceable and consistent
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Origin and quantity of ammonia emissions to air in Western Europe Sewage sludge - sometimes called bio solids - is available for application to land but has a low and varying nutrient content, and it may contain undesirable components (e.g. heavy metals). The phosphorous availability from chemically treated sludge is low, hence processes are under development to recover the phosphorous and make it more plant available. The use of sewage sludge requires careful consideration of the quality and the variability of the product. Some countries, e.g. Switzerland, have banned the spreading of sewage sludge on agricultural land. Others like Germany are currently developing strong quality regulations for unwanted components. Some crop protocols like EUREPGAP do not allow the application of bio solid products.
Yara fertilizer recommendation programmes routinely take account of, and give guidance on how to combine mineral fertilizers with organic manures for balanced plant nutrition.
Animal husbandry
Mineral fertilizer
Application 12.5%
Production 0.5% Leaf emission from crop 5% Miscellaneous 8%
Source: ECETOC Technical Report No. 62 Ammonia Emissions to Air in Western Europe.
Q12
P shortage (left).
K shortage (right).
S shortage (right).
Mg shortage (right).
19
Yara
Q13
Denitri fication
Soluble nitrogen
Manure
Nitrate leaching
Insoluble nitrogen
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20
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21
Q14
SOIL QUALITY
Increase or maintain organic matter: mineral fertilizers - increased yields organic manures - organic content crop residues left in the field crop rotations including grass conservation tillage Stabilises aggregates: liming
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Yara
Q15
Fertilizer recommendations should meet the crop's demand for nutrients, which is dependent on: Crop type, variety, quality and end use requirements. Nutrient supply from non fertilizer sources i.e. the soil, organic manures etc. Previous fertilizer applications and cropping. Local climatic conditions. Fertilizer recommendations can be estimated from:
kg N/ha
N fertilizer demand
Local fertilizer experiments. Farmers experience. Soil and plant nutrient analysis. Research based expert programs.
The MCL3 soil sampler. Capable of penetrating the hardest soil, its cylindric probe technology provides samples down to a depth of 120cm.
Yara
23
Q16
Average Average nutrient nutrient content content of of various various crops crops
Nutrient Primary Nitrogen Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Secondary Sulphur Magnesium Calcium
Nutrient removal (kg t-1 of produce as harvested) Wheat Grain 21 3.6 3 Grain 1.6 1.2 0.4 Rough rice, Philippines Grain 14.6 2.6 3 Grain 0.6 1.0 0.1 Straw 9 0.6 28 Straw 0.4 1.6 3.2 Total 23.6 3.2 31 Total 1.0 2.6 3.3 Sugar beet, UK Root 1.4 0.4 2.7 Root 0.3 0.3 0.6 Top 3.6 0.4 3.4 Top 0.65 0.4 1.2 Total 5 0.8 6.1 Total 0.9 0.7 1.8 Potato Tubers 4 0.7 5 Tubers 0.4 0.4 0.1
More fertilizer is needed if crop residues are removed, than if they remain in the field and are available to the following crop. For example, rice and wheat crops yielding 2-8 t grain/ha absorb 50-190 kg N/ha, 6-22 kg P/ha and 65-250 kg K/ha. The content in the grain amounts to 30-120 kg N, 4-16 kg P and 6-24 kg K per hectare, hence, the total amount needed for each crop depends on whether the residues from the previous crop are left in the field. Crops such as sugar beet and potatoes have a larger proportion of the nutrients in the crop residues, thus, their fate is important when considering the nutrient needs for the following crops and should be taken into account when fertilizer plans are made. Yara fertilizer recommendation programs take previous cropping into account, as well as the other relevant site-specific factors e.g. variety, soil type, planting date etc. Fertilizer recommendations tools and programs are essential for increasing the accuracy of management of the nutrient supply to crops and for providing a record, required by many crop growing protocols. The Yara Plant Master series of brochures has been produced for most major crops.
Sensor map:
Without slurry Cattle slurry Pig slurry
Low
N-Application map
Winter Barley. N-Sensor measurement and N-application on the 25th of May 1999. Source: AgriCon, Germany.
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Q17
Yara
25
Q18
Does precision farming give any benefit to the farmer or the environment?
Yes, it benefits both. Precision farming technology helps the farmer to apply the optimum amount of fertilizer on each spot within a field. The accurate application of fertilizer according to the actual nutrient demand of the crop avoids over-fertilization as well as underfertilization in a field. This variable rate fertilizer application results in higher yields and reduced losses to the environment as the applied fertilizer is utilized more efficiently compared to a standard fertilizer application, which is uniform for the whole field. Standard application doesn't take into account the varying nutrient demand within the field. Yara has developed N-Sensor, a system for measuring crop nitrogen status as it varies within a field and for adjusting fertilizer applications accordingly. Currently, the system has been developed for use with winter cereals, oilseed rape, maize and potatoes.
Q19
26
Yara
Q20
What is the effect of uneven spreading of fertilizers and how can it be minimised?
Uneven spreading is costly to the farmer and is potentially harmful to the environment. It can be minimised by choosing a high quality fertilizer with good spreading characteristics and using a well-maintained spreader to apply the fertilizer. Costly to the farmer because only the areas receiving the optimum rate will give a full economic return: The areas over fertilized are unlikely to produce enough extra yield to cover the cost of the additional fertilizer. The areas under fertilized are unlikely to have reached their yield potential. Harmful to the environment because parts of the field could receive excessive rates which depending on field conditions and soil type, could be at risk of leaching. Also harmful if uneven spreading means fertilizer enters a watercourse. Evenness of spreading is measured by the coefficient of variation (CV%): 1-15% is considered acceptable in field conditions Uneven spreading can lead to a loss of yield as shown on this graph: Financial losses due to uneven spreading
50 40
Wheat OSR 1st Cut
Uneven 1st N application with urea in early spring (spreading width 36m)
If you can see striping, loss in yield could be costing: 11.0 euros/ha in winter wheat. 6.5 euros/ha in silage. 7.0 euros/ha in oilseed rape.
30 20 10 0 0 10 20 30 40
Biomass monitoring in May shows a clear striped pattern with under-fertilized and over-fertilized stripes in the field. The stripe pattern is due to bad spreadability of low density urea at 36m working width. Low biomass is a good indicator of a potential loss of yield.
Further financial losses can occur if uneven spreading leads to a loss of crop quality premium. For example, the loss of milling premium in winter wheat could be worth 187 euros/ha (calculated from 22 euros/tonne for an 8.5t/ha crop)
Coefficient of variation (CV%)
Faint striping
Clear striping
Spinning Disc Pneumatic Acceptable in field conditions Poor spread pattern Very inaccurate spread pattern
Good quality describes fertilizers which are free flowing, and size- matched, to give an even distribution from the spreader. A pneumatic spreader may have more tolerance than a spinning disc machine but neither type of spreader is able to significantly improve the spreading performance of a poor quality fertilizer. Yaras fertilizers have been developed to have consistently good spreading characteristics of size, bulk density and hardness. Investment in understanding financial implications of poor spreading of fertilizers has been committed via the Companys Research & Development Programme. Yara 27
Q21
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Yara
Q22
Urea CO(NH2)2
Ammonium NH4+
Nitrate NO2
Nitrate NO3
Hydrolysis
* In soils of pH <7, nitrate usually does not appear as an intermediate product.
Nitrification
Yara
29
Q23
5.5
Plant root
5.5
The amount of lime as calcium oxide (CaO) required to neutralize the acid generated from the application of 100 kg N with the fertilizer specified. Lime demand in kg CaO per 100 kg N/applied on arable soil
>300 kg
>100 kg
Urea
> 48 kg
CAN
>-80 kg
CN
Ammonium sulphate
30
Yara
Q24
Does fertilizer make plants susceptible to pests, disease and weed infestation?
Fertilizers promote rapid growth, which is likely to give the crop a competitive advantage over some, but not all weeds. Rapid and lush growth can create sheltered and humid conditions within the crop, which could encourage some pests and diseases. Healthy plants require an ample and balanced supply of nutrients to ward off and repair attacks by insects and fungi. Appropriate supplies of potassium, calcium and micronutrients are especially important for crop resistance to disease, while excessive nitrogen application can increase weed growth, diseases and pests. To avoid such problems: Correctly timed and balanced fertilizer rates should be applied according to recommendations based on plant and soil analyses. The development of nutrient deficiencies should be avoided.
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31
Q25
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Q26
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34
Q27
What environmental problems occur if application rates are well below recommended rates?
Constant cropping without replacing the removed nutrients reduces soil fertility and can lead to soil erosion problems. This situation is more likely to arise in less developed countries e.g. Africa. However, prolonged periods of nutrient removal in excess of input may severely reduce soil fertility and productivity in any farming system. Further, insufficient nutrient supply may lead to a less dense plant cover, which increases the risk of soil erosion. Heavy erosion can remove fertile soil. Permanent plant cover is necessary on steeply sloping land to protect against erosion. Land use is another environmental impact, which is often neglected. If application rates are below recommended rates, yields usually decrease. This means an inefficient use of land, which has to be considered as a scarce resource. To produce the same amount of food, more land has to be cultivated. Yara has developed advisory tools and expert programs which give fertilizer recommendations and timing of applications for most crops, and special tools for nitrogen recommendations
Q28
Human activity has doubled the amount on N in the environment
Natural N input is about 113 Mt N/y Anthropogenic N amounts to ca. 140 Mt N/y
- Agriculture is responsible for 80% of the anthropogenic input (two thirds from mineral
fertilizers, one third from increased growth of
legumes).
35
Yara
Q29
Nitrate leaching is low, at or below economic optimum N application
9 8
Yield of wheat t/ha
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 50 100
N applied kg/ha Fertilization kg N/ha
150
- 90 - 80 - 70 - 60 - 50 - 40 - 30 - 20 - 10 -0 200
Leaching kg N/ha
It is when nitrogen is in the nitrate form, (NO3-) that it is most vulnerable to leaching as nitrate does not bind to soil particles, and moves in the soil water unless taken up by the plant roots or soil microbes. Farmer practice can minimise the risk of nitrate leaching by:
Avoiding nitrogen applications when heavy rain is expectedparticularly in the spring. Planting winter crops or cover crops to take up post harvest nitrate residues. Using local fertilizer recommendation systems for rates and timing so that the economic optimum rate of nitrogen is not exceeded.
1985
2000
Phosphorus does not readily leach, (except in exceptional circumstances, for example at very high soil phosphorus contents and following heavy rains that cause soil erosion). The principle routes of loss are not from fertilizer sources, but from soil surface run off where winter applications of manures and slurry, have been applied particularly to high risk fields. Notably, sloping land with potential for soil erosion, or riverbanks damaged by livestock, which may also defecate directly into rivers. When this occurs, lakes and rivers can become green and cloudy with enhanced algal growth and are referred to as eutrophic. This phenomenon causes the ecosystem to deteriorate, and can deleteriously affect fish populations. Nutrient losses from agriculture to water may increase as a result of changes in agriculture, and where: Fertilizer is not used at optimum rates but in excess of crop demand. More land is brought into cultivation. Wetlands with the ability to absorb nutrients before they reach watercourses are drained and converted to agricultural land. Arable and livestock farming are separated with the concentration of animal farming in certain regions and arable farming in others.
Baltic Sea
50 45 000 tonnes P/year 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Agriculture UWWT Industry Aquaculture
Sources:
North Sea progress report, 2002.
Finnish Environment Institute, 2002.
Black Sea Commission, 2002.
Caspian Environment Programme (no date).
European Environment Agency (EEA 2003).
Yara
36
Q30
Nitrate leaching is low at or below economic optimum N application, example for winter wheat.
10 9 8 Grain yield
Is there an increased risk of leaching when applying highly soluble nitrogen fertilizers?
If there is a balance between nitrogen applied and that removed in crops, the risk
of leaching is not great.
- 100 - 80 - 60 - 40
It is important to apply the optimum rate according to good agricultural practice. The risk of leaching is increased if excessive nitrogen is applied. The timing of nitrogen applications is also important and in many cases it is preferable to use split applications. A high yielding cereal variety grown under favourable climatic conditions can yield up to ten tonnes per ha and take up between 270 and 300 kg of nitrogen.
Yield t/ha
- 20 -0 300
Q31
NH3
Ammonia volatilization Manure Urea NH4+ Ammonium NO3 Nitrate
Urea hydrolysis
Nitrification
The dominant source of atmospheric ammonia is farm animals and their manures. Fertilizer use only contributes about 10% of atmospheric Emission factors (NH3-N loss as % of total applied N) ammonia in Western Europe Mean spring temperature and North America. Urea (and ammonium bicarbonate) Fertilizer type > 13C 6 - 13C <6C may contribute to higher Urea 20 17 15 emissions in rice growing Nitrogen solutions (eg. UAN) 11 9 7 regions such as Asia.
Ammonium sulphate & ammonium phosphate 2.5* 2 2* 1.5 1.5* 1 (Calcium) ammonium nitrate
37
Yara
Q32
Animal husbandry Manure storage 34% Grazing 8% Manure spreading 32% Mineral fertilizer Application 12.5% Production 0.5% Leaf emission from crop 5%
Miscellaneous 8%
Source: ECETOC Technical Report No. 62 Ammonia Emissions to Air in Western Europe.
Yara
38
Q33
The scope of Life Cycle Assessment studies by Yara using European data Raw material extraction - Fossil fuels - Minerals Production & transportation - Fertilizer - Pesticides - Machinery - Seeds Arable farming - Tillage - Sowing - Plant nutrition - Plant protection - Harvest = Wheat grain Inventory of environmental impacts (per/t grain) Emissions (NO3, NH3, N2O, CO2 etc) and Resources (Oil, gas, land etc) Aggregation to effects (per/t grain) Global warming Acidification Eutrophication Land use Energy consumption EcoX value (per/t grain)
0.6
0.4
0.2
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Yara
Q34
Solar energy captured in extra biomass produced due to fertilizer use Solar energy in biomass produced without fertilizer use Tillage etc Fertilizer (170 kg N/ha)
Energy is a central issue in agriculture. The very reason for agricultures existence is to supply energy to mankind. It does this by converting foliar energy into biomass, which in turn supplies energy to human beings and animals in the form of food and feed. In fact, fertilizers can be considered a catalyst for capturing clean solar energy. Depending on the crop and the yield, the plants can capture 5-10 times the amount of energy that is used in making and supplying fertilizers. If the crop or crop residues are used for fuel, this will replace the use of fossil fuels and thus lead to an overall reduction of the emission of CO2 climate gases. Also, organic matter build-up in soils by the plant residues may lead to long term capturing of CO2.
Date: Winter wheat field trials (Germany). Energy content: 15.4 GJ/t grain or straw
Fertilizers increase energy 1 unit of energy for production and use of fertilizers Solar energy Food and feedstuff Plants for biofuel Plant residues Conversion to biofuel Soil organic build-up
Yara
40
Q35
How much energy (fossil fuel) does it take to make one kg of nitrogen fertilizer?
Modern fertilizer plants utilize natural gas or other gases like propane or ethylene. In the most efficient plants it takes 0.6 kg of natural gas to make one kilo of nitrogen as ammonia or ammonium nitrate, and 0.75 kg to make urea. This is equivalent to 0.8 and 0.93 kg respectively, of fuel oil. Most of the energy consumption in the nitrogen fertilizer chain is during the production phase. The energy efficiency in N fertilizer production has been significantly improved since the beginning of the 20th century. Modern fertilizer factories are close to the theoretical minimum of energy consumption.
91%
2%
7%
Production 40 GJ/t N
Application 3 GJ/t N
GJ/t N
300 250 200 150 100 50 Theoretical minimum 1915 1930 1950 1960 Haber-Bosch synthesis Steam reforming natural gas Cyanamid method
0 1910
1975
2000
41
Yara
Q36
1.1
y Dat a Shee
1. Identification of the substance/preparation 5. Fire-fighting measures 1. Confo rms to 91/1 55 an Ide and of the company/undertaking /EEC Extinguishing media: nt 1. Iden d release - 2001 Use water only in flooding quantities. Do not o fire to ifrunoff /58/EC tifica Id ica from an - Unite e waterways. Open doors andcwindows to f give ventilation. Identification of the substance or preparation and of dthe thmaximum of th tionsewers d Kin o nt e tio gdom company/undertaking e com of the su Pro mp ific (UK) co n bshazards pa Special exposure : Product name: SDS Group 1.1 du any atio Ident ta o ny m nc ct /u n burning materials. /underdusts, Sy or fumes e/pr Avoid breathing vapours In nd of comp ification of pa f th no ar na from So ep ta ein t m ki case of inhalation of decomposition products a fire, symptoms may Synonyms: h n rt e Prod any/undert the subs at ny ngca lid ym ioe uct tanc : S akine spositive n name aking pa N be delayed. Fire-fighters should wear pressure Solid straight AN - must be not less than 20% N, may contain /u sub ub e or pre s:self-contained 5. P D : SDS b g s K Fi le full, turnout gear. S parat (SCBA) tre ammonium sulphate, magnesium nitrate, dolomite, Us and Synoinert fillers. st Grou breathing apparatus an -fig nd Gro ion F of NP ny p 3.1 e eg a an ce ht Solid ms: d c , in e o of r n u ig Ex rtil f th ta or tin Co p m e products csu ar NK gu Hazardous thermal decomposition comb N - less tha e re ize the nfo kiea bu - n Use wa4ish .1 ing pre Co ustib r su les or n 70 % am These products areYnitrogen filler Avoid breathing dusts, oxides (NO, NO Use of the substance/preparation: ter on me rn2...). rm ng /p dia pa : res bs or in ot sew ara mp ers s to moniu or fumes m of and no less tha less than water ly in an from burning materials. In g case inhalation offlo ratio Fertilizer pa ta Im ,w o m 80 vapours ways. odin re nc g quan t more n 45% 91/ /u No min UKin y ammonitrate, products ith decomposition be delayed. Open n th e/p may am % Sp than an tities. Do rat nd symptoms L a fire, ecial 15 d no door nium D an an rt 0.4% monium Use of tha im re Av ou sd io Company/undertaking identification, Manufacturer / Supplier: ert 5/E h g nitrat an t liex po nit d wind not relea ite 70sure comb of pa oid bre Ea mo m re T: N e wi 40 tha n run m Fertil the subs se EC ustib rate wi d na0. Yara UK Limited th kin ra th ows to % hazards ath st dolom ca +4 am es ing 4% izer les. F: th se off fro tance/p 6. Accidental release measures 2 giv t e : of a -2 du L mo io e ite g 4 to N inh m m maxim Immingham sts +4 (0 Sniu in , inert be repara fire n: alatio id n m 5 00 m , vapour um 4 en bre delay Comp tion: . Fventilatto ) 14 U cosu ed. Fir en . of o North East Lincolnshire EPrecautions: s or fum lnslphate de n (0 1/5 m an co t ath Personal iu K e-f ion ific y/u ing ap hir Yara ) 14 69 ighter mmpositio es +4 erg . ire 8/E DN40 2NS UK UK Limndertak parat e n pro from burni UExti at Use suitable protective equipment (Section 8). Follow all fire fighting en 6 Na 4 (0 55 ing ide Immi ou us (SCs shn C du it io T: +44 (0) 1469 554600 ld n 9 Ha ng f cts s c we ngha ited ra g -U zardo ntifica mater BA) an ig n tio (Section procedures y 5). in a se e 57 46 m te ar selfNorth wa uis ial F: +44 (0) 1469 571624 These , us tion, d M therm nit n ) 1 te wsym 1 6 00 conta fire s. In ht , Nl tur , ful hin Man al 86 lep e te a pro DN40 East Linco ine al 2 ed pto 2 rs i ducts decomp nu OT nout ge S d posit w r o vapo msgma Ch 4 5 ho ng . C ufac tu urs : Environmental precautions Kin are 4/ ar. pe ive nly mey T: +4 2NS UK lnshire rer ne and clean-up methods em ate Emergency telephone number: pre decomp or fumfact nitrogen osition pro 07 A Su 4 (0) m c gd ssu d o S pp es in v Minimize contact of spilled material with soils to prevent runoff to surface n ia rw ica 3 lie u om re ia F: +4 oxid ub ducts fr ositio u m om ca oid l e ea +44 (0) 1865 407333 ay flo : 4 (0 1469 55 Pre n pro re l E 33 mr: s r / burning es (NO, NO se b xp waterways. po be s. od du b (U s re cts National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) ) 1469 57 4600 m W pa tan ma e S O 2 o r: o ur in K) 6. Acc erg up sit . Av doid 1624 pe ing a fire, terials. ...) bre Emerg ela fbre co ithin rati ce/p inh athin sure es n d qu pli sympto In case e ath id ntaUse o i a tool to scoop up solid or absorbed material and place into appropriate ath y re +44 ency telep a n a g h en th n o e of o ing ed la ms H az tal re inh p ors ntiti (0 is labeled du in in th n/ Absorbcwith y C dry Pe ma tio d ussts . Ftio sand or other noncombustible a Natio ) 1865 hone numb g ala rso az y be de se an e pwasteacontainer. ra leaser: nn an es. na i ts, , rds e of P a 40 ir na re l t a n c lay M Pr er: n p Us l 73 e o y o io d tio 2. Composition/information on ingredients material. Avoid creating Keep Chem ecaudispersal. eprevent s measu ped 33 tre and foconditions . -fig f d va : suitablewind win Do (N ten rdou n: dusty ara tions n h ical Em m ay c az e n t pro : O,s tia s rm no 13 for Waste Disposal Information. hte eco pou (N ced pro re on o out ,of d a in waterways. ard kn See Section tu tec ergs ure o n th t l n en CE u s (S rs m rs ws re o s (Secti tive eq ac o o ta Substance/preparation: at m d p NO Pro erm uipm an erp Ce ure pcy co us wle C) on 5). nt in 2. Com to lea CB sho posit or fu ent (Se i Envir sy ateri hos 2 ...) duc al rd in 8 d (N s Preparation Note: see section for personal protective equipment and section 13 for s o as afo ho d re g CE o ction m A) uld ion m ive e ru n nimonmental s di me C) anc gre ge posi als pha , s ts: de Mi onot 8). pto Within the present knowledge of the supplier, this product an w p es am disposal. il, rma pha waste m no e w die of on ize con precauti tiondoes Fo te ulp Ca co .w Subs o ax ff In all d ea rod fro mllo a s. hu rb m water /infor 6. tanc tact of m ldeh te, p mo r all contain any hazardous ingredientsPr in quantities requiring reporting in ith nts the on fu r s u m sm c im fro wa 3. A fig r on po in ine a fire ys. ll epara e/p spille s and clea m rep um m yd ho niu of ox EU in su at ng ox sitio aratio regulations. this section, in accordance with EU regulations or National a se voidhti tu elf- cts in bu d ma gr , c io sp m th and n-up Ac en Ha W q p rn co terial P rn , Handling ithin tion ve fire re storage es ide n h on la7. ers metho e c ds: y be dof inh breid Thn: e fo ou nta a ing wi gu uan plie Use a tool nti to y o inert ate inp s p U th conta the prese hoed za soi gr e t g in fire m o to id to die labele lati la titi r, ela ala ath (SO (CO rod in an in addition r ta fi roc nt 199 May contain some of the following ingredients to p ammonium s ll pro se s nls o th d wa scoop ie preen a ea ed , s ate in 2 re thi u on Handling hazardoknow nt s secti y ma ste con up 9led is solid ers k, p pha wnt pa inertrds lc. ll: s tions oes r. ta ce uita l Pre vent ter runoff yed tion g d , SO , CO cts . nitrate:- ammonium sulphate, magnesium nitrate or dolomite, /4 ge reavoid po ym ria on, or ab ial te ing pro tai of the s ra Seus . . d o u Av Avoid creating dust when handling and all possible sources of ignition b in acco to ne ingred 5 q s l ou sor :c o u ta s oid 3 i r , r. s su le E ti t of uc bed ma re uir /E rface f d ts , e 2 ) a dlie itiv pto ls. e cre du re Nby ien n sin am on supp rda s contamination fillers such as sand, coating materials amine, orts talc. sorb wi wa May such as oil,sy ating Ab p auti hAvoid vir C e se e clay ter (spark flame). including metals, dust ati any ingsource ters M r, thior ec , va tc.) nd c m nc e ms In wa co ial l du (Sanro th as sium on gle m n t dys. an inisquantiti sty s o e th EU dry te in o p o , pto ctiwi pro nitrat ntain some w d e Se p n con m t n san pla o w m o ha a no and re s: a materials. du d e Secti es organic reg dit imiz m d or cti ctice ireq al rep oe e:- am ct do san chlo su nNo te: se ss ay f uiring po urs lo te m on 1 itsula ium of ttio ve int on en oth se on 13 ateion o appro se inert es no ort s n and e re da cla er ure ns or ic slow se sit o ge r, n 1 fo rw rid pewa no nium the fol pr for cti fillers mo4 t . t a g e rep ste pri 5 ev nc c in a on a o m Na Wa m u rp ate q U ent wi ). nd e, ss sudis ombu ion r fu na itro o ayste 3. Hazards identification lp t pe tio such . sulphate ing ring la 8 ing in g for talc, tna : if stible nd disuipm Dis ea iol regort s. n ta po m redienenStorage as F co po hos lphposal. tio in second In lab se a rsona pro me ted ge , dolom dm iedand use ula ct re persa sal ore ind tas popen c ts a n a n l tio Inf Store away from heat, sparks, flame, or any other ignition to aryhnu sa e r , pr n s a in c e l. ti co s ns s te m ote of u ormati du fr om o n Ke addit as st to ati . e . ur o 7. n siu hate , cti Av ala trients ng ma ite,dgy ate led The preparation is not classified as dangerous according Directive l to ve eq ion gm H on. t (S ep sp tio cts om p xid e pssource. with combustible materials. On farm keep from ts. Avoid ure ou away dato contact an um n m dl es an a tio ec (Ca d/o t o rial. was sc uipmentilan led ns a ng ammo in 1999/45/EC and its amendments. a ile s , tr idr microterialsta in bu oun es lcium 3. HazIn oid bre su tio niu ga hay, grain, diesel, etc. n: ch f w A te oop e d d as n a fi rn ds Su Hand teria ulph iple ,and N secti m n8 ro lphate m m -nutrients ge in oil, storag on ath ate d lin ate void con up us If ar c 13 ds re ing ) ). s on Avoid g:ls s ate, . form amino, ea wa ote id ta s , ria leanfor ing effects and rw See section 11 for more detailed information health acy cla The pre en uc im larg tio Fo ste : se e ay crea ine olid tid l w -u coor ati (spark creating du s h protection fi 8. Exposure controls/personal m e q n: llo symptoms. m rat 1999 pa rd s. tin r. A or uscation ur ith p m on ed isu d e se w e ion /4 ing and or flame). st wh7 Se g d b ab en ha t. p5/E an t cla no es all so e po cti on organ C icania ers d . Hndlinis e S us sorb so titi ssifie If in ils th to d te ic ma Avoid con sa on fire g its h Occupational exposure limits: ly. am an rb on al p ty o See se d d e ter tam l. ea to ds D as ha 8 ialH en an s dm ers D e inatio avoid Sk 3 s. fig ire Stora ction . ng lth for poss ction con with ed m pre : Total inhalable dust - 10 mg/m led ents. da an erous n by an all sympto 4. First aid measures hti ge in 11 for on o N of th c d dit d a Av ms A : ibl ti v Sto p e ac d , y ign 13 e v l mo e co n ry n te sou sourceio ers ffe re an (s oid lin OT is ition v re rding ing .o nt g reede e rce w oid C dp for sn sa rial sou l. tai in m us cts g: n to Di o of 3 away m sa ru e aw rce. Av ind inf cre ign nclu ding me ark Ne led dust - 4 mg/m nd n an ov Respirable rectiv irri ash pro tac aoid itio a Inhalation: W a n ay fro n n te a a l fro orm m o a e e tal a o d ta h nd hay, gra d ocon pro ff otac tin m heat, n ation s,ddu : fresh air. ver uce ria ste an lon t to pre Avoid breathing dust. If4 inhaled, to tio remove to st r o p flat wi d s, g th rga r te giv vo l a on healt fr Ey. Firs Sto in, die d com spark Dis ve the lace ntd su s thged m cti Exposure se nicl, 8. Ex heeff de ai e mit re sh ec controls etc rfa en fla e . ust bustibles top or In e c ign ra po nt w r no into or an in sw o m ve d w m ). me, orve e posu ce airts and ma on sa in nc a ca Ingestion: re su itio ge: ala yth g all ofInh ter awre ate Avo he ag lop roug ea qu any ials. On . p l In d se tio tn o p re Sto Av n nt woid ipm ay co sphysician ing unle owRespiratory protection: Occupa ria id c n h If large quantities of this call a s. hly eate er e formdisp mbu prop farm oth of ac:t:are swallowed, amaterial ro ls te bre ed a properly fitted, particulate re ls/p fr sou on and tiona keep athing unless en respirator an ri Se induce c wit d c to do so by by ss Use Total filter . approved immediately. Do NOT directed r. vomiting l expo ocomplying ,c tam lin m rc anwith er ati ersa stib ate ta inhala 8this e Ge onta dust. If so o unconscious m dir h an sy Never sure ha e. A du ga is necessary. Respirator selection . du na on l. K le se estio nd ble medical personnel. give anything by mouth ec all if a risk assessment indicates ou standard so nta inhaleto in ct m Ing lim t lapr E y, itsv . se cti n a st n m te e c a o th p s d, : ot If : w d ti must be based on known or anticipated exposure levels, the hazards of x Re 10 t e O e g lar rem id p ov to ge ect person. ed ith on a spirable c mg/m p cti ra po selected to d to phy an w m onqu c aw e 3 cu of the in ica e imme To limits on by void ion the a product respirator. 1 1 antities du sdia h fresh d itto , d onta ay fr icia the safe working st pa do sand s . tel ta y n l fo s w 13 a 4 of air e a u att ies ct om medic thissma l in tio mg/m3 . un s n ny ll y.r Do Expo ate kin Skin Contact: re , ter for m NOT al su el, wit h co o b R so pos re nti rin r. . A orewith e rsonn es contrhala nal Hand protection ns y : rson. pe urc sib co are Avoid prolonged orpe repeated contact skin. After always se ial handling, etc h c ea uc G ft on e ols ble ex el. Ne ind pir cio vo e in le allow et if er Chemical-resistant, im . an o t, RespE mitin sw nt with impervious gloves or gauntlets a etaver giv wash hands thoroughly with soap andd water. Get attention if medical ed m ha us ira du pos complying m g un xptory ble clu sou eir ro chemicalmbusspark Skin an less dir , ca ell ile u handling Use a be rita approved standard should worn at all times stwhen ed an yth o d dic irritation develops. dliysi ph din rce Co tec su pro us d ls/ tib s, ected - 10re li ia by tio Avoid ntact: tio ing n cia R prope al products stand info gm so t n rly re fitt this indicates is le op : necessary. m prolon pe do g, n if a risk assessment n tely mouth to to a ed, - 4 sp if a c m it Us eard m en rm eta f ign mu oc w by an unttesoalw ira risko ate fl ntr partic m te g/m s: Eye contact: wash hand ged or rep e be rso ass cu ith stast con ati ls, itio ay g/m filter 3 a p ba essme ula to ns irritat tio s tho the o ria am se eated with cio rs Eye protection : d o n n ls s us In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately a copious amount ry pro ion res rou nt a d on m n rop . ls. e, ind3 du conta n o us know is generated. develop ghly wi co icates pirator com na us da an pro rd ct Use dustifgogglesth if high dust concentration n e t On or a n of water. Get medical attention if occurs. th pio s. irritation the soap ct with pl l p e p t be if a rlyd te saf or anticipa this is ne Eye co sk Ha ea in. Af fa ny u and wa h nd cessar ying wit ted rodpro h an ap btec ris fitte ctioe working lth ter ha s am y. Re ro In case ntact: ter. H :Chem k a d, n: limits exposure se tio te proved rm keother Skin protection uc a Ge See section 11of for more and ica tff e : of detailed information on health effects levels spirato don ou alw nd of the medicndling, ss pa l-re Ch a t a sis rc ep ap sel water contact , the ec es body rtic should be selected Personal protective equipment for the based nt ays tiect al att selec on n kt, nd tan symptoms. p ved sta ion wi a em pro . Get sm ro ted res hazards ts entio o u pe noim th nd medic th eyes, rin icdu te n n if p ppropro an ard pirato of ervilate e sh w ro v al-ctscif s glo al Se se r. ou n ou
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42
Yara
Q37
What is the Companys policy regarding fertilizers and the wider environment?
Yara is committed to continuously improving and developing products, services and advice so that the companys fertilizer products actively: Contribute to a sustainable agriculture. Are responsibly used in line with best agricultural practice Utilize best available technology in production Meet best agricultural practice. Comply with legislation. The responsibility for how the product is actually used remains with the farmer. Fertilizers are biologically active compounds, and as such, they can influence the environment. It is the Companys policy to reduce environmental impacts along the entire life cycle of a fertilizer, i.e. from production through to the use of our products. Great improvements have been achieved in production technologies to minimise energy use and emissions. Fertilizers correctly used are environmentally benign products. They are not poisonous to soil or water, and consist of naturally occurring plant nutrients that are necessary for maintaining soil fertility and securing adequate and sustainable food production. The main environmental concerns arise through the irresponsible use of fertilizers.
The company promotes the responsible and correct use of fertilizers throughout the supply chain, with adherence to good agricultural practices. The understanding of how our products behave in the environment is important to Yara, enabling avoidance of recommendations that could have unnecessary environmental effects. Investment in R & D, adoption of novel technologies and the development of tools for optimal fertilizer use (taking full account of all nutrient sources) works to ensure minimal environmental impact. The Company has for many years published guidelines and has developed Fertilizers, agriculture and sustainability expert systems for the end user which produce fertilizer recommendations like the N-Tester and N-Sensor and Yara Plan. The Company published a guidebook on environmental issues relating to fertilizer use in 1990: (Agriculture and Fertilizers; private publisher), which was updated and extended in 1999 (Agriculture, Fertilizers and the Environment; CABI publishing).
43
Yara
For further information please contact: Yara International ASA Bygdy all 2, N-0202, Oslo, Norway www.yara.com