Graphical analysis of annual crop response to fertiliser application

Abstract The effect of fertiliser application on crop yield is described by the interactive effects of two relations: that between fertiliser application and fertiliser uptake (the recovery of fertiliser) and that between nutrient uptake and yield. It is argued that the latter relation is invariable for a given combination of crop species and plant nutrient, as illustraed for nitrogen on bunded rice. Virtually all variability in application-yield relations results from differences in the parameter values characterising the relation between nutrient application and nutrient uptake. The uniqueness of the uptake-yield relation permits its use in the determination of nutrient recovery from measured application-yield data. The use of this procedure to formulate fertiliser recommendations for specific situations is discussed.