Agricultural nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium balances in Germany —Methodology and trends 1970 to 1995

The nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balances for agriculture in Germany during the period 1970 to 1995 (western states) and 1990 to 1995 (entire Germany including the states of the former German Democratic Republic), respectivly, are calculated according to the PARCOM guidelines. The surplus of the basic national mineral balance is subdivided into the crop production surplus and the livestock production balance surplus. In the former West German states, P and K basic surpluses have declined about 60% since 1980, while the N-surplus has dropped 23% since 1987. The efficiency of agricultural nutrient use has improved correspondingly. A sensitivity analysis and an error estimation reveal the accuracy of the results. The relevance and limits of interpreting nutrient balances on a national scale are clarified by a critical appraisal of the balance surplus values.