4R Plant Nutrition for Human Nutrition.

Many of the minerals essential to plants are also essential to humans, and plants deliver many other important nutrients, mineral and organic, to the human diet as well. While the focus of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is on the source, rate, time and place of nutrient application for crops, its context implies sustainable management of all aspects of the crop production system. Production of adequate quantities of safe, nutritious and affordable foods is one of the most important outcomes of sustainable plant nutrition. This presentation aims to provide an overview and update on key aspects of plant nutrition with direct impacts on the outcome of improving mineral nutrition for humans. As documented in recent publications, these impacts include food and nutrition security, micronutrient and vitamin content of foods, health-functional qualities and nutraceutical content of foods, and reduction of food safety risks arising from toxins produced by plant pathogens. Coupled with appropriate strategic changes to farming systems that produce a better balance of foods to address the nutritional needs of the human family, an emphasis on 4R Nutrient Stewardship in agronomic research and extension will enhance the benefits and control the potential negative impacts associated with fertilizer use.