Using Nitrogen Balance to Assess Environmental Performance of Crop Production

While nitrogen is an essential input for crop production, it can also be tricky to manage with different types of losses throughout the year. One way to deal with expected losses is to apply more N than needed by the crop. But excess N applications cost money and cause environmental problems. Too little N risks low yield or soil nutrient mining. Farmer groups, food companies and others looking to improve sustainability of crop production need a way to measure their progress. Nitrogen Balance – the difference between N applied and N removed at harvest – is a scientifically robust indicator, directly related to both nitrate and nitrous oxide losses. The simple N balance score uses basic available data and can help find ways to tighten up N management at sub-field to regional scales. In this session we will review the science basis and historical development of N balance as an environmental metric, learn how different groups are using N balance with farmers in the U.S. and India, and discuss how new and improved management practices and systems fit into the framework.