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Potassium deficiency in agricultural soils is little known but could pose a serious threat to global food security if left unchecked, according to a recent study by scientists from UCL, the University of Edinburgh and the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology. There is sex.
The study, published in the journal Nature Food, found that in many parts of the world, more potassium is removed from agricultural soils than is added. It also provides a set of recommendations on how to alleviate the problem.
Potassium is an essential nutrient for plant growth that aids in photosynthesis and respiration, but a deficiency can stunt plant growth and reduce crop yields. Farmers often apply potassium-rich fertilizer to fields to replenish depleted nutrients, but supply issues can prevent its use and its environmental impact is questionable. It will remain.
Researchers found that around 20% of agricultural soils worldwide face severe potassium deficiencies, and in certain regions, including 44% of agricultural soils in Southeast Asia, 39% in Latin America, and 30% in subtropical regions. They report that even more severe potassium deficiency is likely to occur. 20% in Saharan Africa and East Asia, mainly due to more intensive agricultural practices.
Co-author Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) said: ‘Potassium is essential for maintaining crop yields that sustain the world’s food and its depletion could threaten the food security of millions of people around the world. “This poses a serious threat to security. This is being overlooked.” As the world’s population continues to grow, this problem needs to be addressed through a range of actions. ”
Farmers often rely on potash as a fertilizer to replenish potassium in their fields, but prices for the mineral are highly volatile. Potash production is highly concentrated, with just 12 countries dominating the approximately 12 billion pound international market for potassium fertilizer, with Canada, Russia, Belarus, and China accounting for 80% of the world’s raw potash. We are producing.
Researchers predict that potash prices will rise in April 2022 due to a “perfect storm” of increased fertilizer demand, higher fuel prices, recovery from the pandemic, and various government measures around the world. It highlights a 500% increase compared to the previous year. , and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia and Belarus together export about 42% of the world’s potash supplies, but following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, US, Canada, and EU imposed import sanctions on both countries. Global supply disruptions exacerbated price hikes.
Since the initial price spike, potash prices have fallen by about 50% but remain high, raising concerns that farmers will not be able to access enough fertilizer to maintain food supplies under the current system. ing.
Co-author Dr Peter Alexander from the University of Edinburgh said: ‘Fluctuations in the price of potash are having a major impact on the entire global food system. Farmers need access to potassium to maintain crop yields. However, the recent rise in the price of potash has made this difficult.” Access will become even more difficult for the most vulnerable. ”
This market concentration and fragility is one reason why researchers are calling for improved potassium management and stronger intergovernmental coordination mechanisms. Currently, there are no national or international policies or regulations governing the sustainable management of soil potassium, similar to the systems that are being established for other important crop nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
In 2021, global potash consumption will reach 45 million tons, with new projects starting in Belarus, Canada, Russia, Australia, Eritrea, and the United Kingdom, and global production will rise to about 69 million tons in 2025. It is predicted. However, potash mining raises human rights concerns and has significant environmental impacts. Potash mining generates millions of tonnes of waste, primarily sodium chloride salts, which can leach into the soil, salinize the soil and water table, and harm plants and animals. there is.
The effects of potassium fertilizer runoff on local ecosystems are poorly understood, and the researchers recommend further study of the effects.
Lead author Will Brownlee, from the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology, said: “The environmental impacts of potash extraction and agricultural use require further scrutiny, and the impact of artificial potassium enrichment. , there are still many things we don’t understand.” ”
The researchers proposed six policy and practice recommendations to prevent potential crop yield declines, protect farmers from price fluctuations, and address environmental concerns. Recommendations include:
1. Establish a global assessment of current potassium stocks and flows to identify countries and regions most at risk.
2. Establish national capacity to monitor, predict, and respond to changes in potassium prices.
3. Further research into the yield effects of limited potassium in different crops and soils to help farmers maintain adequate soil potassium levels.
4. Assess the environmental impacts of potash mining and develop sustainable applications.
5. Develop a global circular potassium economy that minimizes nutrient use and maximizes reuse and recycling.
6. Strengthen intergovernmental cooperation through the United Nations and other bodies to develop global policy coordination similar to that developed for nitrogen.
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