Global fertilizer consumption
In recent years, there has been concern that the quantity of mineral fertilizers used in agriculture having adverse effects on the environment. Attention has been drawn to the fact that when nutrients are applied to crops they are not all taken up by the plants immediately. There is also concern that some farmers might be applying inappropriate quantities of fertilizer. The main fertilizers having adverse effects on the environment are nitrate, phosphate and organic matter such as animal manure. This illustration shows the global fertilizer consumption in metric tonnes from 1975 to 1996.
Year: 2005
From collection: General Archive
Cartographer: Philippe Rekacewicz, UNEP/GRID-Arendal