A global reference database in FAOSTAT of cropland nutrient budgets and nutrient use efficiency: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, 1961–2020

Abstract

Abstract. Nutrient budgets help to identify excess or insufficient use of fertilizers and other nutrient sources in agriculture. They allow calculation of indicators such as the nutrient balance (surplus or deficit) and nutrient use efficiency that help in monitoring of agricultural productivity and sustainability across the world. We present a global database of country-level budget estimates for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in cropland. The database, disseminated in FAOSTAT, is meant to provide a global reference, synthesizing and continuously updating the state-of-the-art on this topic. The database covers 205 countries and territories, as well as regional and global aggregates, for the period 1961 to 2020. Results highlight the wide range in nutrient use and use efficiencies across geographic regions, nutrients, and time. For the year 2020, the data show regional average N surpluses that range from about 10 kg N ha-1 year-1 in Africa to more than 90 kg N ha-1 year-1 in Asia. Furthermore, they highlight P and K deficits in Africa in 2020 and K deficits for the Americas. This study introduces improvements over previous work in relation to key nutrient coefficients affecting nutrient budgets and use efficiency estimates, especially for nutrient removal in crop products, manure nutrient content, atmospheric deposition and crop biological N fixation rates. We conclude by discussing future research directions, highlighting the need to align statistical definitions across research groups, as well as to further refine plant and livestock coefficients and expand estimates to all agricultural land, including nutrient flows in meadows and pastures.