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Nutrient management

Nutrient management

One of the main factors limiting yields in organic farming is insufficient nitrogen supply. Growing leguminous crops is the most effective way to increase nitrogen levels in the soil, but incorporating crop residues and manure can also be effective. Too much nitrogen or incorporating nitrogen at the wrong time of the crop cycle can cause more harm than good, so it is very important to understand the needs of each crop you are growing and the expected mineralisation rates of the fertiliser you apply. Deficiencies in potassium, phosphorus and sulphur may also limit yields and need to be considered in your fertilisation strategy.

On this page, you can find tools and resources that can help you design a robust nutrient management plan, and you can discuss the topic with others.



Featured tools

Organic fertilizers in fruit orchards (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)Most popular tool

Organic fertilizers in fruit orchards (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)

Alternating and integrating different fertilizers, depending on the nutrient budget and the soil status of plant available nutrients, can lead to a…

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FiBL Collaboration podcastLatest tool

FiBL Collaboration podcast

FiBL Collaboration podcast, a podcast of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL is all about current collaborating research projects by…

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Tools

TitleIssuing organisationProjectYear of releaseRating
A Guide to Nutrient Budgeting on Organic FarmsORC - Organic Research CentreOK-Net Arable20103 (5)
Advanced system in wheat: Combination of agronomical levels: The French...PUREOK-Net Arable-5 (1)
Aerated compost tea (ACT) to improve soil biology and to act as a...ORC - Organic Research CentreOK-Net Arable20174.8 (5)
Anaerobic digestates as a nutrient source for organic farming (RELACS Practice...University of Hohenheim , IFOAM Organics EuropeRELACS2021
Are we mining the soil ? (OK-Net Arable Video)ORC - Organic Research CentreOK-Net Arable2018
Automatic manure scrapers for reduced ammonia emissions (POWER Practice...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgriculturePOWER2021
Belowground biodiversity in strip cropping systems (SureVeg practice abstract)CREA - Council for Agricultural Research and...SUREVEG , CORE Organic Cofund2021
Biofumigation: Practical information, advantages and disadvantages (Best4Soil...Best4Soil , Agroscope , IFAPABEST4Soil2020
Biofumigation: Practical information, advantages and disadvantages (Best4Soil...Best4Soil , Agroscope , IFAPABEST4Soil2020
Catch crop in maize (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20174 (1)
Challenges of Organic Arable Farming - 2nd module: Fertilization strategies to...CIHEAM Bari - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of...OK-Net Arable2017
Challenges of Organic Arable Farming - 6th module: Recovery and final synthesisCIHEAM Bari - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of...OK-Net Arable2017
Choosing cover crops for arable crop rotations (OK-Net Arable Practice abstract)ITAB - Institute for Organic Agriculture and FoodOK-Net Arable20185 (1)
Commercial organic fertiliser as supplementary fertilisers in potato crop...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20174 (1)
Compost for planting - Against Rhizoctonia root rot disease in potatoesFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , University of Kassel2020
Compost quality test (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Agroscope , FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureBEST4Soil2020
Compost quality test (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Agroscope , FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureBEST4Soil2020
Compost tea: innovative management of organic sweet cherry orchards and organic...CREA - Research Centre for Agriculture and...2023
Compost: Advantages and Disadvantages (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft Grand , AgroscopeBEST4Soil2020
Compost: Advantages and Disadvantages (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft Grand , AgroscopeBEST4Soil2020
Compost: practical information (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil2020
Compost: practical information (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil2020
Compost: Thermophilic compost (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil2020
Compost: Thermophilic compost (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil2020
Compost: vermicompost (BEST4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil20205 (6)
Composting leaflet – Agroecological approach at your farmBioforum VlaanderenOK-Net Arable20134.5 (2)
Controlled traffic farming: A new track for soil and weed control in organic...InagroOK-Net Arable2018
Controlling docks by stubble cultivation (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20174.5 (2)
Cover crop and living mulch toolboxTUM - Technical University of MunichOK-Net Arable20143.4 (10)
Cover crops in soil nutrient management in organic orchards (BIOFRUITNET Video)IO-PIB - National Institute of Horticultural...Biofruitnet2023
Crop growth and nutrient dynamics in intercropping systems using different...AU - Aarhus UniversitySUREVEG , CORE Organic Cofund2022
Crop Management of Rapeseed and Pollen Beetle ControlFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20164 (1)
Crop rotation and its ability to suppress perennial weedsSEGES20163 (1)
Crop Rotation in Organic SystemsOACC - Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada,...OK-Net Arable-
Crop rotation: Practical information (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Delphy , IFAPA , SEGES , Agroscope , WUR - Wageningen University & Research , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Crop rotation: Practical information (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Delphy , IFAPA , SEGES , Agroscope , WUR - Wageningen University & Research , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Cultivation in rows – Nitrogen fixation by catch crops and their effect on yieldSEGES , AU - Aarhus University , KU - University of Copenhagen , AgroIntelli , Økologisk VKST , Barritskov Land- og Skovbrug2018
Demonstration of Plough DethatchersFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20144.5 (2)
Determine compost quality using the cress tests (OK-Net Arable Practice...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20181 (1)
Developing a fertilisation strategy in organic pome fruit (BIOFRUITNET Practice...Laimburg Research CentreBiofruitnet2023
Direct Sowing of MaizeFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable2015
Direct sowing with green manure (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)Bioselena - Foundation for organic agriculture , IFOAM Organics EuropeOK-Net Arable2018
Diverse fertility building leys in arable rotations (OK-Net Arable Practice...ORC - Organic Research CentreOK-Net Arable20173.5 (2)
Diversification of silage maize cultivation by using winter cover crops enabled...WUR - Wageningen University & ResearchDiverimpacts2020
Earthworms: architects of fertile soils (FiBL Technical Guide)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20223.6 (11)
Efficient nitrogen use from livestock manureSEGESOK-Net Arable2016
Efficient use of nitrogen from livestock manure (OK-Net Arable Practice...SEGESOK-Net Arable20174 (2)
Ensiling legume forage pulp (ProRefine Practice Abstract)Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreProRefine , CORE Organic Cofund2022
Ensiling legume forage stems (ProRefine Practice Abstract)Università Cattolica del Sacro CuoreProRefine , CORE Organic Cofund20224 (1)
FiBL Collaboration podcastFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture2023
FiBL Focus podcastFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture20204.5 (6)
Green manure and cover crops in organic agriculture: general introductionITAB - Institute for Organic Agriculture and FoodOK-Net Arable2012
Green manure and cover crops in organic agriculture: guide to the choice of the...ITAB - Institute for Organic Agriculture and FoodOK-Net Arable20124 (3)
Green manures & cover crops: Advantages & disadvantages (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Agroscope , Vermigrand , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Green manures & cover crops: Advantages & disadvantages (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Agroscope , Vermigrand , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Green manures & cover crops: practical information (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , Agroscope , Vermigrand , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Green manures & cover crops: practical information (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , Agroscope , Vermigrand , P. H. Petersen Saatzucht LundsgaardBEST4Soil2020
Growing cover crops in organic arable crop rotations: best practices from...SEGES2016
Growing cover crops in organic arable crop rotations: Best practices from...SEGES20174 (2)
Guidelines for growing organic apple and pearØkologisk VKST2020
Hairy Vetch – an Excellent Green Manure for Dry ConditionsFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20144 (2)
How to check whether a Rhizobium-based formulation actually increases the...Euroseeds22
How to successfully convert to organic arable farmingLFI - Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut ÖsterreichOK-Net Arable20175 (3)
Incorporating Green ManuresFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20134.5 (2)
Inoculation of soya seed (Legumes Translated Video)Taifun-Tofu , LZ SojaLegumes Translated2020
Integration of different agronomical practices for inter-row soil management in...IO-PIB - National Institute of Horticultural...Biofruitnet2023
Inter-row cultivation for mechanical weed control in winter oilseed rapePUREOK-Net Arable-
Knowledge exchange platform for agroecologySOLAGROOK-Net Arable-3.2 (6)
LeNiBa - the KTBL / isip app for nitrogen balancing of legumesKTBL - Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der...OK-Net Arable2020
Machine demo: Incorporating green manure with rotary tillers and pulled machinesFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture2018
Managing for Soil Health on an Organic Farm - A Farmer's PerspectiveSouthern Regional Extension ForestryOK-Net Arable2014
Monitoring and comparing cover crop performances (OK-Net Arable Practice...ITAB - Institute for Organic Agriculture and FoodOK-Net Arable2018
Multi-species livestock farming (MIX-ENABLE Practice Abstract)INRAE - National Research Institute for... , CRA-W - Walloon Agricultural Research Centre , FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , University BOKU Wien , Thünen-Institut , Tuscia University , SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesMix-Enable , CORE Organic Cofund2021
Multispectral remote sensing in participatory on-farm variety trials (OK-Net...ÖMKi - Hungarian Research Institute of Organic...OK-Net Arable2018
Mycorrhizal fungi – How to produce your own bio-fertilizer (SolACE Practice...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture2019
NDICEA - A digital tool to model nutrient balances across a crop rotation...ORC - Organic Research CentreOK-Net Arable2018
NDICEA - Nitrogen Planer – version 6.2LBI - Louis Bolk InstituteOK-Net Arable20144 (4)
New techniques to control the supply of water and nutrients to crops in...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , University of Almería2020
Nitrogen budget calculator. A tool to calculate N-budgets in organic forage...ZALF - Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape...20133.8 (4)
Nitrogen efficiency of organic fertilisers (RELACS Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , IFOAM Organics Europe , University of Hohenheim2022
Nitrogen supply for winter oilseed rape (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20174 (1)
Nutrient Budgeting: Organic Considerations for Implementing NRCS CPS 590Southern Regional Extension ForestryOK-Net Arable2014
Nutrient management in farms in conversion to organicLfULG - Sächsische Landesanstalt für Umwelt,...OK-Net Arable2008
Nutrient supplyFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20112 (1)
NutriGadget - Farm gate nutrient budgets for organic farming (Relacs Practice...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , University of Hohenheim , KU - University of CopenhagenRELACS2020
Organic apple orchard fertilisation: row and inter-row management with legume...IO-PIB - National Institute of Horticultural...Biofruitnet2022
Organic Cultivation in Spring 2016 - Varieties, Seeds and Crop managementLFI - Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut ÖsterreichOK-Net Arable2016
Organic farming: Basic principles and good practicesFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture2021
Organic fertilisation of young apple orchards (DOMINO Practice Abstract)Laimburg Research CentreDomino , CORE Organic Cofund2021
Organic fertilizers in fruit orchards (Biofruitnet Practice Abstract)IO-PIB - National Institute of Horticultural...Biofruitnet20225 (1)
Organic Field Crop ProductionOACC - Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada,...OK-Net Arable-
Organic quality wheat production - Results of long-term field trials of...LFI - Ländliches Fortbildungsinstitut ÖsterreichOK-Net Arable2016
Organic Small Grain ProductionSouthern Regional Extension ForestryOK-Net Arable2011
Organic Weed Management: A Practical GuideCharles MerfieldOK-Net Arable2000
Pest Management in Organic Cropping SystemsOACC - Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada,...OK-Net Arable-
Phosphorus sources for organic agriculture (RELACS Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , IFOAM Organics Europe2022
Plant protection in organic farmingEkogwarancja PTREOK-Net Arable2008
Potato Crop Managementn(FiBL Technical Guide)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable2010
Practical advice for organic production of lupinesLandesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft und...OK-Net Arable20144 (4)
Practical information for soil health (Best4Soil Factsheet)Best4Soil , DelphyBEST4Soil2020
Practical information for soil health (Best4Soil Video)Best4Soil , DelphyBEST4Soil2020
Practices to improve soil fertility and nutrient availability in organic fruit...IO-PIB - National Institute of Horticultural...Biofruitnet20224 (1)
Precision farming: sowing canola with variable rate applicationFiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture2020
Processing Quality of Organic WheatFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable2015
Professional guide for organic arable farmersICROFS - International Centre for Research in...2021
Protein extraction from forage legumes (ProRefine Practice Abstract)AU - Aarhus UniversityProRefine , CORE Organic Cofund2022
Recycling agricultural residues in organic farming by on-farm compost productionCREA - Council for Agricultural Research and...2022
Regionally adapted humus balance in organic farmingLfULG - Sächsische Landesanstalt für Umwelt,...OK-Net Arable20133.7 (3)
Results an lessons learnt from field vegetables activity - cabbagePUREOK-Net Arable-
Results and lessons learnt from wheat-based cropping system activityPUREOK-Net Arable-
ROTOR: organic crop rotation plannerZALF - Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape...OK-Net Arable20074.6 (11)
Scab prevention: reduction of ascospores through increased decomposition of...DelphyBiofruitnet2022
SmartSOIL ToolAU - Aarhus University20152 (3)
Soil and Fertility Management in Organic SystemsOACC - Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada,...OK-Net Arable-5 (1)
Soil fertility - manure treatmentLandwirtschaftliches Zentrum LiebeggOK-Net Arable2009
Sort Out Your Soil: A practical guide to green manuresCotswold Seeds Ltd. , Garden OrganicOK-Net Arable-4 (5)
Struvite’s potential as an alternative phosphorus source for organic agriculture...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture , IFOAM Organics EuropeRELACS2021
The spade test - visual soil assessment in the fieldFiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20164.8 (4)
Transition to organic productionOACC - Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada,...OK-Net Arable-
Use of variety mixtures to reduce disease, increase resource-use efficiency...PUREOK-Net Arable-
Vermicompost - Practical information (Best4Soil Video)Landwirtschaft GrandBEST4Soil2020
Weed harrowing in spring cerealsPUREOK-Net Arable-
Winter field peas as green manure before maize (OK-Net Arable Practice Abstract)FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureOK-Net Arable20174.5 (2)
Winter field peas as green manure before nitrogen-demanding crops (DiverIMPACTS...FiBL - Research Institute of Organic AgricultureDiverimpacts2019


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Themes & discussion
https://organic-farmknowledge.org/discussion/theme/9