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

Abstract - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 in Asia. Encouragingly, average global cropland N use efficiency decreased from about 59 % in 1961 to a low of 43 % in 1988, but it has risen since then to a level of 55 %. Phosphorus deficits are mainly found in Africa, whereas potassium deficits occur in Africa and the Americas. This study introduces improvements over previous work in relation to the key nutrient coefficients affecting nutrient budgets and nutrient use efficiency estimates, especially with respect to nutrient removal in crop products, manure nutrient content, atmospheric deposition and crop biological N fixation rates. We conclude by discussing future research directions and 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. Further information is available from 10.5061/dryad.hx3ffbgkh (Ludemann et al., 2023b) as well as the FAOSTAT database (https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/ESB; FAO, 2022a) and is updated annually.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: A global FAOSTAT reference database of cropland nutrient budgets and nutrient use efficiency (1961–2020): nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium ; volume:16 ; number:1 ; year:2024 ; pages:525-541 ; extent:17 ; Earth system science data ; 16, Heft 1 (2024), 525-541 (gesamt 17)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Ludemann, Cameron I. ; Wanner, Nathan ; Chivenge, Pauline ; Dobermann, Achim ; Einarsson, Rasmus ; Grassini, Patricio ; Gruere, Armelle ; Jackson, Kevin ; Lassaletta, Luis ; Maggi, Federico ; Obli-Laryea, Griffiths ; Ittersum, Martin K. van ; Vishwakarma, Srishti ; Zhang, Xin ; Tubiello, Francesco Nicola

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/essd-16-525-2024
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024012503202763189562
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:21 AM CEST