Build a field nitrogen and phosphorus balance

2026-10-07
1. Define the boundary and units
2. Add inputs, subtract removals
3. Interpret with missing terms

BLANK WORKSHEET
Field, period and nutrient units: ____________________
Measured inputs and crop removals: ____________________
Missing terms and next check: ____________________

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Field, period and nutrient units: Illustrative 1 ha field, one season; kg N/ha and kg elemental P/ha.
Measured inputs and crop removals: N: 100 + 60 − 110 = 50; P: 20 + 12 − 25 = 7.
Missing terms and next check: Partial apparent balance; losses, deposition and stock changes unresolved.

Primary context and limits
FAO: nutrient inputs and outputs, historical technical context — https://www.fao.org/4/ag120e/AG120E08.htm
FAOSTAT: Cropland Nutrient Balance metadata, December 2025 — https://files-faostat.fao.org/production/ESB/ESB_e.pdf