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Nitrogen In The United States

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In the year 2014 37.1 million metric tons of nitrogen was applied to cornfields in the United States.9 161.4 kg/ha was the average amount per acre utilized.9 According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research service, applying nitrogen at the proper rate, at the correct time, utilizing suitable methods of application are important factors for nitrogen management.10 According to the United States Geological Survey 52% of nitrogen that flowed into the Gulf of Mexico was the result of corn and soybean agriculture.11 High amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous cause a bloom of algae, that later die and cause this area in the ocean to become hypoxic.12 Phosphorus plays a crucial role in plants. Since it's a component of nucleic acids, phosphorus plays a vital role in plant reproduction. Moderate amount of phosphorus results in higher grain production but too much can harm the crops.

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