The future of fertilizer
In the near future, it is predicted that with a growing population and an increased demand for biofuels, the total demands for materials cannot be fulfilled just by expanding harvested area. Therefore, in order to fulfill the demand, the production of grains has to increase by 50 percent during the coming four decades. As the demands increase, it is not possible to clear more and more land for plantation purpose.
To counter this problem, it is important to utilize fertilizer up to its optimum capability. As clearing more land is not advisible, it is important that the production of materials for both food and fuels can be increased by utilizing fertilizer.
One way to meet the requirements in the future is by utilizing fertilizer that helps to produce more fruits or grains, based on the type of plant. With an increased production, the supply and demand can be balanced where there is more supply to fulfill the future need for raw materials. Therefore, the fertilizer in the future should be packed with nutrients that produce more fruits, based on the type of plant.
Next, in order to meet the demands, genetics advancement can be considered. Genetics advancement bring a meaning of engineering the genes of crops in order to increase production by either increasing the size of produce, or by enabling the fruiting periods to be more frequent. With this, more produce can be produced and collected.
Other than that, new type of fertilizer is predicted to be manufactured in order to increase yield. It is predicted that fertilizer with capabilities to increase soil fertility will be needed. This type of fertilizer will not only assist the crops growth, but will also enhance soil fertility where the soil will be able to support healthier and fresher crops. By using this fertilizer, plantation process will be easier as the nutrients from the fertilizer will remain in the soil although different types of plants are planted.
Currently, 40 to 60 percent of commercial fertilizers are used in the united States to produce food. To meet this demand, the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from soils is expected to increase and thus there is a need for more recovery and recycling of farm and nonfarm waste in order to produce organic fertilizer that does not use nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
The use of potassium and phosphate fertilizers is predicted to increase over the coming years. Phosphate fertilizer, obtained from mined P205 rock, might not face any problem in the United States as the U.S. is just second to China in world’s highest phosphate mining industry. Potassium will also not face difficulties as Canada is one of the major miners of potassium.