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Nutrient Management

Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (RB209)

Current Fertiliser Recommendation System
'Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops' is a priced publication (£17.50 + p&p) that provides recommendations for the use of lime and major nutrients (N, P, K, S, Mg, Na) on most field-grown crops including arable, grassland, field vegetables and fruit.

Additionally, it provides details of the content and supply of nutrients from a wide range of organic manures, and provides a wide range of background information on nutrient management and protection of the environment from diffuse nutrient pollution.

It is available from Stationery Office bookshops or direct from The Stationery Office on 0870 600 5522. It can also be viewed and downloaded from this page..

Planning Land Applications of Nutrients for Efficiency and the environmenT

PLANET - is the computerised version of RB209 and provides farmers and advisers with a quick and easy way of obtaining RB209 recommendations.

Revision Process

The current 7th edition of RB209 was published in December 2000; consequently some of its recommendations and supporting information are in need of revision.

ADAS Report

A recent report PDF (227KB) , prepared by ADAS, gathered and analysed feedback on RB209 from a wide range of individuals and organisations. Most responses confirmed that RB209 was considered to be a useful document providing a single, industry standard source of fertiliser recommendations, but that some technical revisions were urgently needed.

Defra has recently announced that, in light of the report's analysis, it has started work with a group of crop nutrition researchers to plan research to thoroughly revise the current fertiliser recommendation system. The research will draw on input from a wide range of stakeholders, including technical experts and farmers, during the development process to ensure innovative ideas and new approaches are identified. Details of the research project will be published on the Science pages of the Defra website in the near future

It is anticipated that the new fertiliser recommendation system will be available in early 2008, although this is subject to the length and timing of the research.

Interim Arrangements

Farmers are advised to continue using the current RB209, taking account of the technical updates, or to seek advice from a suitably qualified (e.g. FACTS) person.

For farmers within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the Environment Agency advises that, under the current Action Programme, they will consider compliance with the rule for nitrogen applications has been achieved if:

  1. The application complies with written advice from a qualified advisor (e.g. FACTS advisor) with which the EA agrees.
  2. The application complies with a fertiliser recommendation system (e.g. RB209, PLANET etc)
  3. You can explain how you have arrived at the crop application and taken account of the soil nitrogen supply yourself.
Milling wheat

In the case of milling wheat, if additional nitrogen is required for quality, the above need to be met, and the following information provided:

  1. Variety
  2. Evidence of a contract for the milling wheat (where available)
  3. Target yield and quality
  4. Yield and quality achieved in previous years (where previously grown)

Defra will shortly be launching a consultation on proposed revisions to the NVZ Action Programme.

Page last modified: 26 June 2006
Page published: 26 June 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs