Isotopes in Fertilizer Research

Abstract

Fertilizers are expensive and if not properly used can cause water pollution. Efficient use of fertilizers is therefore of concern to both developing and developed countries. It is important that as much of the fertilizer as possible finds its way into plants and that a minimum is lost to the environment. Fertilizers “labeled” with a particular isotope, such as nitrogen-15 or phosphorus-32, provide a means of finding out how much is taken up by the plant and how much is lost, allowing better management of fertilizer application. Using N-15 also enables assessment of how much nitrogen is fixed from the air by soil and by root bacteria in legumes. Radioisotopes are used to improve the quality and productivity of agricultural products as well as optimum utilization of fertilizers without harmful effect to plants and mankind. The radiolabeled fertilizer has been used to study the uptake, retention and utilization of fertilizers. It is felt that in addition to the marathon efforts of scientists and engineers engaged in developing nuclear science and technology the sincere efforts of media in popularizing and propagating the beneficial uses of radioisotopes for national development are going to play a major role in realizing the full potential of atom. Fertilizers as sources of nutrients requirement for plant nutrition are crucial in application of agriculture sustainability concepts. With respect to the maximum benefits from such nutrients sources, its efficiency is considered as a key stone in recognizing the best management strategy suitable for achievement of optimum crop production. The efficient use of nutrients is correlated to crop species, soil conditions, integrated farming systems, field practices, climate change, pest management and plant diseases control, and integrated nutrients management. Therefore, the selection of the most proper tool that perfectly assessed us to quantify the compensation of manufactured, either natural or synthetically products, fertilizers in enhancing agriculture productivity as well as estimation of its efficiency is considered very important issue. In this respect, the international atomic energy agency staff explained that isotopes can be used to unravel the main factors that influence the fluxes of N and P so that appropriate soil, plant and fertilizer management practices can be put in place to enhance the efficient use of soil N and P as well as added external inputs. It seems that the continuous use of external fertilizers inputs can lead to its accumulation in the topsoil, and to increased pollution risks and eutrophication of water streams. Under such adverse conditions, proper integrated management practices would help to minimize the effects of potential losses on the environment. In this chapter we will discuss and illustrate the role of radio-tracer as a unique tool in tracing and follow up the nutrients, especially N and p, behavior in soil, plant and environment as well as estimation of fertilizer portions derived to plants and its efficient use.