Nutrients and crop nutrition

The use of nutrients (fertilisers) is a key component in agricultural production systems, especially the use of nitrogen and phosphorus, but also potassium and micro-nutrients. Their use has impacts not only in terms of the consumption of non-renewable resources, but those which are not taken up by crops can be lost to the wider environment as pollutants, e.g. nitrate and phosphate in surface and groundwater (contributing to eutrophication) or the loss of ammonia and nitrous to the atmosphere (contributing to acid rain and climate change). Consequently, it is important that nutrients are used efficiently – providing efficient nutrition to the crop while minimising losses to the environment and subsequent impacts. AERU have undertaken numerous projects which have included assessing nutrient use and minimising potential impacts.

Projects

Publications

Grebot, B., Menadue, H., Nicol, L., Sloan, B., Doherty, O., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Vidaurre, R. & Manžuch, Z. (2024). Support to the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC): Final Report. European Commission, Brussels.
Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Grebot, B. & Limmer, C. (2024). Technical assistance for preliminary work on Livestock Operating Rules for the Industrial Emissions Directive: Best Available Techniques: Task 1 Report. European Commission, Brussels.
Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Grebot, B. & Limmer, C. (2024). Technical assistance for preliminary work on Livestock Operating Rules for the Industrial Emissions Directive: Best Available Techniques: Task 4 Report. European Commission, Brussels.
Grebot, B., Menadue, H., Nicol, L., Sloan, B., Doherty, O., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Vidaurre, R. & Manžuch, Z. (2023). Support to the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC): Second Progress Report. European Commission, Brussels.
Grebot, B., Menadue, H., Nicol, L., Sloan, B., Doherty, O., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Vidaurre, R. & Manžuch, Z. (2023). Support to the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC): First Progress Report. European Commission, Brussels.
Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Green, A., & Lewis, K.A. (2021). A broad-scale spatial analysis of the environmental benefits of fertiliser closed periods implemented under the Nitrates Directive in Europe. Journal of Environmental Management, 299: 113674. DOI.
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. & Warner, D. (2021). Procurement of nitrate accounting tools for the Poole Harbour Nutrient Management Scheme. Final report.
Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Warner, D.J and Lewis, K.A. (2020) Identification of approaches and measures in action programmes under Directive 91/676/EEC. Final report. Report prepared for Directorate-General Environment, European Commission, for project ENV.D.1/SER/2018/0017 by the Agriculture and Environment Research Unit (AERU), University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. [Download].
Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J. & Green, A. (2018). Agri-environmental Management in Europe: Sustainable Challenges and Solutions - From Policy Interventions to Practical Farm Management. 5m Publishing, Sheffield, UK. ISBN: 1912178443
Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. and Lewis, K. (2017) Environmental impact assessment of sugar beet and sugar cane grown in the United States. Confidential report to Western Sugar Ltd
Warner, D.J., Davies, M., Hipps, N., Osborne, N., Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2010). Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in UK-grown short-day strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch) crops. Journal of Agricultural Science, 148(6): 667-681. DOI
Warner, D.J. and Lewis, K.A. (2008) The impact on greenhouse gas emissions of the revised Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: Final Report for Project WT0757NVZ. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Tzilivakis, J., Jaggard, K., Lewis, K.A., May, M. & Warner, D.J. (2005). An assessment of the energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) production in the UK. Agricultural Systems 85, 101-119.
Tzilivakis, J., Jaggard, K., Lewis, K.A., May, M. & Warner, D.J. (2005). Environmental impact and economic assessment for UK sugar beet production systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 107, 341-358.
Jaggard, K., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J. & Lewis, K.A. (2004) Beet and the environment. British Sugar Beet Review 72(2), 34-37.
Tzilivakis, J., Jaggard, K., Lewis, K.A., May, M. & Warner, D.J. (2002). Environmental assessment of sugar beet production. Proceedings of the 65th IIRB (International Institute for Beet Research) Congress, Brussels, February 13-14 2002.