Nutrient rationalization in Nigerian compound fertilizers (NPK) with special focus on phosphorus and potassium utilization

The valid concern raised during the summit about Africa"s use of fertilizer and the deterioration of its soils based on nutrient mining catalyzed this study. Point 10 of the summit"s 12-point resolution addressed the need for mapping and soil nutrient testing. Yet many of this study"s findings seem to contradict the blanket urgency that was a theme of the summit. For example, there is the contradiction that while Nigeria uses little fertilizer on a kg/ha basis, it is at the same time wasting tens of thousands of tons of nutrients and probably billions of Naira through overdosing and misapplication. This contradiction really only exists because at times the approach to nutrient mining is shallow. Millions of tons of additional fertilizer is an answer; but millions of tons of additional and efficiently applied fertilizer is a better answer to Africa"s soils problems. (Author abstract)