perspectives on the nitrogen cycle
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Perspectives on the Nitrogen Cycle
Peter VitousekStanford University
We are entering the
Anthropocene
“the geologic epoch in which the human species has emerged as a globally
significant force reshaping the face of Earth”
P.J. Crutzen 2002
Global Terrestrial N Budget(Galloway and others 2007)
“Natural” Biological N Fixation 70 - 100Lightning 5
Total Fixed Naturally 75 – 105
Inorganic N Fertilizer 100Crop N Fixation 30Fossil Fuel Fixation 25Industrial Uses of fixed N 20
Total Fixed by Humanity ~175
EPA Nitrogen Report 2011
United States Nitrogen Budget
Vitousek 1994
IPCC Third Assessment Report, 2001
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000Year
Robertson and Vitousek 2009
Anthropogenic reactive N is distributed unevenly across Earth
In some areas we use far too little N, in others we release far too much – and both extremes damage the environment and threaten human well-being.
Kenya North China Midwest US Maize Yield 2000
N P All in kg ha-1 y-1
Fertilizer 7 8
Removal in harvested 59 7 products
Agronomic inputs minus -52 +1 harvest removals
Comparison of Nutrient Balances
Sanchez andPalm pers. communication.
double crop, w wheat Kenya North China Midwest US Maize Yield 2000 8500
N P N P All in kg ha-1 y-1
Fertilizer 7 8 588 92
Removal in harvested products 59 7 361 39
Agronomic inputs minus harvest removals -52 +1 +227 +53
Comparison of Nutrient Balances
Ju et al. 2009
Maize-Wheat double-cropping, North China Plain
Ju et al. 2009
Rotation w/soybean Kenya North China Midwest US
Maize Yield 2000 8500 8000 N P N P N P
All in kg ha-1 y-1
Fertilizer (plus N fixation) 7 8 588 92 155 14
Removal in harvested products 59 7 361 39 145 23
Agronomic inputs minus harvest removals -52 +1 +227 +53 +10 -9
Comparison of Nutrient Balances
David and Drinkwater perscommunication.
(Vitousek et al. 2009)
EPA Nitrogen Report 2011
Prof. Fusuo Zhang, Dean, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University
Maize-Wheat double-cropping, North China Plain
Ju et al. 2009
Yield and Fertilizer UseISSM versus Farmer Practice
Farmer Practice ISSM
Maize Yield (t/ha) 6.8 (1.6) 13.0 (1.6)
N input (kg/ha) 257 (121) 237 (70)
Yield per unit N added (g/g) 26 (20) 57 (13)
N inputs minus harvest removals (kg/ha) +127 (42) -12 (56)
Chen et al. 2011
From P. Johnes (personal communication)
We are entering the
Anthropocene
“the geologic epoch in which the human species has emerged as a globally
significant force reshaping the face of Earth”
P.J. Crutzen 2002
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