Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use: Principles for Optimum Management of Nutrients

| Corn | Soybeans | Forages | Cereals | Dry Edible Beans |
| Spring and Winter Canola | Other Crops | Soil Management |
| Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use | Field Scouting |
| On-Farm Stored Grain Management | Weed Control |
| Insects and Pests of Field Crops | Diseases of Field Crops | Appendices |

Pub 811: Agronomy Guide > Soil Fertility and Nutrient Use > Principles for Optimum Management of Nutrients

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops
Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Principles for Optimum Management of Nutrients

In 2006, Ontario used about 686,000 tonnes (756,000 tons) of fertilizers. Figure 9-1, Trends in Retail Fertilizer Sales, shows the trends in fertilizer use over the past five decades. High yields can be produced efficiently only when fertilizer use is related to the fertility level of the soil and to other additions of nutrients from manure, crop residues and other organic sources. At one extreme, on very low fertility soils, it is occasionally profitable to add as much or more nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium in the fertilizer as a crop removes. At the other extreme, on high fertility soils or following heavy application of manures, adding fertilizer may not be profitable and may occasionally reduce yields.

Proper management of nutrients balances the requirements of the crop being grown, the nutrients already available in the soil and the proper timing and placement of nutrient additions for the greatest crop response and the least environmental impact.
For more detailed information regarding management of fertilizer and other nutrients, see OMAFRA Publication 611, Soil Fertility Handbook.