Revision of Defra's current "fertiliser recommendation system"

Defra is undertaking a comprehensive revision of its current guidelines for fertiliser use.

The revised fertiliser recommendation system is due to be published in early 2008, although this is subject to the length and timing of the research.

Defra has started work with a group of crop nutrition researchers to plan the revision, and the intention is to include innovative ideas and new approaches to update the current recommendations in line with the latest thinking from industry. Farmers and technical experts will have a chance to contribute during the revision process.

The guidelines arising from the revision will replace Defra's current publication ‘Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops' (7th edition, published 2000).

These current guidelines, commonly known as RB209, provide recommendations for practical decisions at the field level on the use of lime and major fertiliser nutrients (N, P, K, S, Mg, Na) on most field-grown crops including arable, grassland, field vegetables and fruit.

A recent ADAS report showed that farmers and industry organisations consider RB209 to be a useful document that provides a single industry-standard source of fertiliser recommendations, but felt that some technical revisions were urgently needed to reflect new research, changing economics and new higher-yielding crop varieties. They also felt the document should allow more flexibility for decision-making based on local information and experience.

Until the revision is complete, farmers are advised to continue using the current RB209 Fertiliser Handbook, taking account of the updates published on the Defra website, or to seek advice from a suitably qualified (e.g. FACTS) adviser.

Notes to editors

Defra's current publication ‘Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops', commonly known as RB209, provides recommendations for practical decisions at the field level on the use of lime and major fertiliser nutrients (N, P, K, S, Mg, Na) on most field-grown crops including arable, grassland, field vegetables and fruit. This priced publication is available from Stationery Office bookshops or direct from The Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522. Further information and an electronic copy of RB209 is available from the Defra website www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/land-manage/nutrient/index.htm

Technical updates to RB209, to account for changes in the recommendations resulting from variations in winter rainfall and economics, can also be downloaded from the Defra website [www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/quality/nitrate/soiln-reserves.htm].

The ADAS report to Defra summarises comments on RB209 received in response to an informal consultation exercise run by ADAS between December 2005 and January 2006. A copy of the final report has been published on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/land-manage/nutrient/index.htm

PLANET is the interactive version of RB209 and mimics the recommendations given by the RB209 (7 th edition) publication. It can be downloaded or ordered free via the PLANET website [www.planet4farmers.co.uk/welcome/index.html].

Details of the research project will be published shortly on the Science pages of the Defra website [www.defra.gov.uk/science/default.htm].

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