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October 16, 2008 4:14:31 PM CDT

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Another Key Shortage: Fertilizer

Posted Apr 30, 08 10:02 AM CDT in Business,  Science & Health,  World 

(Newser) – One of the less touted factors behind the global food crisis is a shortage in chemical fertilizer, which has helped boost crop yields dramatically and particularly benefited the developing world. But while growing demand is unlikely to be met for many years, the environmental impact of producing and using chemical fertilizers is significant and negative, the New York Times reports.

Factories that produce the critical ingredient nitrogen guzzle fuel, and much of that element ends up in runoff water, contributing to "dead zones" in the oceans. But manure isn't chemically rich enough to sustain high crop yields necessary to feed a ballooning population—and produce biofuels. As one scientist puts it, "Without chemical fertilizer, forget it. The game is over.”

Source New York Times

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Fertilizers are needed not only for food crops like these strawberries, but also for crops destined to become biofuels and those intended to feed animals.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Farmers across the country are seeing an increase in fertilizer prices caused by several factors, including the booming demand for fertilizer to produce animal feed for rapidly developing nations.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Because of the rising demand for ethanol, farmers are growing more corn, which needs more nitrogen fertilizer than other crops. But more chemicals means more pollution.   (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
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food prices  • farming  • corn  • crops  • developing countries  • rice  • food supply  • fertilizer


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