Nitrogen Fertilizer: From Plant to Plant.

Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for cereal grain production world-wide.  Unlike other fertilizers, the nitrogen manufacturing process starts with a raw material (nitrogen gas) that is easily accessible to everywhere.  However, to break the triple bond between the N atoms and to make a useful fertilizer, significant amounts of energy are required.  For this reason, N manufacturing facilities have been mainly developed in regions with relatively low energy costs.  Recent changes in natural gas supply have caused significant shifts in the location of new production facilities and the form of N fertilizer that is produced.  This presentation will discuss N fertilizer production processes and recent trends in the location and type of fertilizer produced.  According to publically announced expansion projects, N fertilizer production capacity is growing in the US likely at the expense of regions with higher energy costs.  In addition, a higher percentage of US production will be upgraded from anhydrous ammonia to urea and urea ammonium nitrate.  Soil fertility researchers should be aware of anticipated changes to better predict future research questions.