Using the mass balance concept to promote sustainable nutrient management

The need for nutrient additions to replace exports is fundamental to sustaining agricultural productivity. At the same time, nutrient losses from agricultural landscapes contaminate water supplies, damage natural aquatic ecosystems and increase greenhouse gases.  Farmers must meet the dual goals of supporting crop production, while minimizing losses to the environment. Nutrient budgeting provides an example of how ecological knowledge can be used to bridge the gap between basic and applied research and to provide farmers with information that enables them to achieve both environmental and economic goals.