Global Nutrient Flows and Cycling in Food Systems

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Abstract

Plants require 14 nutrient elements in specific amounts for growth and development, in addition to carbon dioxide, water, and photosynthetic active radiation. The most limiting nutrient elements are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This chapter briefly summarizes the driving forces of nutrient cycling and the changes in global nutrient flows and balances in agricultural systems and food systems, with a focus on nitrogen and phosphorus in food production‐consumption systems. The nitrogen cycle is a most complex nutrient cycle. Nitrogen exists in different forms, most of which are biologically, photochemically, or radiatively active. The phosphorus cycle serves as an example for the cycling of “immobile” elements, such as metals, cadmium, and magnesium. The availability of phosphorus in most soils limits crop production around the world. The specialization and agglomeration of food production systems was facilitated by transnational corporations.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiorefinery of Inorganics: Recovering Mineral Nutrients from Biomass and Organic Waste
EditorsE. Meers, G. Velthof, E. Michels, R. Rietra
PublisherWiley
Chapter1.1
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9781118921487
ISBN (Print)9781118921456
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

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  • Application of Mineral Concentrates from Processed Manure

    Velthof, G. L., Ehlert, P. A. I., Schroder, J. J. & Curth-van Middelkoop, J. C., 2020, Biorefinery of Inorganics: Recovering Mineral Nutrients from Biomass and Organic Waste. Meers, E., Velthof, G., Michels, E. & Rietra, R. (eds.). Wiley, p. 260 296 p.

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

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