BalanceAr
Nutrient removal, crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balance for Argentina's main grain crops
BalanceAr is a joint collaborative initiative between Fertilizar A.C., researchers and producers from Argentina, and Purdue University. Our goal is to develop and update nutrient extraction coefficients for major crops that reflect local production and management conditions across the region, and to use them to estimate crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balances. This project will provide accurate information for calculating balances across different sites.
Our Mission
To assist researchers, producers, and decision-makers in accessing information about nutrient removal, crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balance in major grain production crops across Argentina.
Our Vision
To provide access to updated information on nutrient removal, crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balance in major grain crops across Argentina. To assist different actors in the food production chain with the necessary information to improve the sustainability of regional production systems.
Removal, estimated uptake and balance
Removal is the amount of nutrient exported from the field in harvested grain. It is not total crop uptake: nutrients that stay in stover, roots and leaves are not included. BalanceAr estimates uptake by dividing removal by the harvest index (HI), the fraction of total uptake that ends up in the grain. Because the HI varies with crop, environment and management, uptake values are estimates; compare the lower and upper HI to see how much they can vary. The nutrient balance is the amount of nutrient applied minus the amount removed in grain: a positive balance means more nutrient was applied than removed, and a negative balance means the crop removed more than was applied.
About the data
Yields are adjusted to the commercial moisture content of each crop. Nutrient removal, crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balance are expressed on a dry basis: they are calculated from grain yield on a dry-weight basis, to avoid overestimating them.
Commercial moisture by crop
- Maize
- 14.5%
- Soybean
- 13.5%
- Wheat
- 14.0%
- Barley
- 13.5%
- Rice
- 14.0%
Collaborative Partnership
Fertilizar A.C.
Leading Argentine agricultural organization focused on sustainable fertilization practices and research.
Purdue University
World-renowned agricultural research institution providing scientific expertise and analytical capabilities.
Researchers
Regional scientists and producers from Argentina contributing field knowledge and production expertise.
Together, we're developing precise nutrient extraction coefficients that reflect Argentina's unique agricultural conditions, and using them to estimate crop nutrient uptake and nutrient balances, enabling better decision-making for sustainable crop production.
Explore estimations