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Recommendation system by: Non-governmental organisation

COMIFER

There is no single recommendation system in France but different recommendation methods or guides depending on the nutrients and the objectives sought. For the calculation of the dose of nitrogen to be provided, this is the forecast balance method. For the calculation of the dose of phosphorus or potassium, there is a reasoning method proposed by Comifer. Finally, there are good practice guides aimed at improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer applications regardless of the calculated dose:
- CALCUL DE LA FERTILISATION AZOTÉE, Guide méthodologique pour l’établissement des prescriptions locales pour les cultures annuelles et les prairies (CALCULATION OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION, Methodological guide for establishing local requirements for annual crops and grasslands
- Guide des bonnes pratiques agricoles pour l'amélioration de la qualité de l'air (Guide to good agricultural practices for improving air quality)
- La fertilisation P – K – Mg. Les bases du raisonnement (P – K – Mg fertilization. The basics of reasoning)

Comifer (French Committee for the Study and Development of Reasonable Fertilization) is the association responsible for defining the scientific bases and practical rules for reasoned fertilization and their dissemination to users in France. It brings together all the players in fertilization from research, education, administration, professional agricultural organizations (technical institutes, federations, etc.), the fertilizer industry, distribution, services.
Its main missions are 1) sharing and transfering of knowledge on soil fertility, nutrients management and utilisation efficiency, crops fertilization taking into account environmental impacts (water, air, soil), 2) technical references and collectively validated methods (objectivity, rigor, search for consensus) development and dissemination, 3) the development and improvement of agricultural practices which contribute to efficient and sustainable agriculture and 4) technical support for public policies for the monitoring and implementation of “nitrate” regulations.

Access the recommendation system

Wheat
Maize
Potatoes
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium

Publisher Non-governmental organisation
Name COMIFER
Weblink https://comifer.asso.fr/ressources-documentaires/
Countries covered France
Regions covered Whole country
Language French

Crops covered Wheat, Maize, Potatoes, Vegetables, Other cereals, Brassicas, Other crops
Nutrients covered Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg)
Target soil pH Recommendations based on soil and cropping types Provided

Nitrogen
Crops for Nitrogen Recommendation Maize, Potatoes, Wheat
Nitrogen Analysis Options Organic matter, Total N
Soil Nitrogen Assess Method Estimated
Factors for estimated Soil Mineral N Soil type, Rainfall, Past management
Soil Nitrogen content measurement Extraction with KCl;Potentially available N (AN) or anaerobic mineralisable N (AMN);
Phosphorus
Crops for Phosphorus Recommendation Maize, Potatoes, Wheat
Soil Phosphorus content measurement Lab based method
Phosphorus Sampling Frequency 5 years +
Lab analysis method for Phosphorus Olsen P method; Joret-Hébert method (Ammonium oxalate method) and Dyer method (citric acid method);
Potassium
Crops for Potassium Recommendation Maize, Potatoes, Wheat
Soil Potassium content measurement Lab based analysis
Lab analysis method for Potassium Ammonium acetate extraction
Potassium Sampling Frequency 5 years +
Potassium Measurement Method None
Soil available Potassium(Κ) from potash clays Soil type

Guidance for minimizing nitrate leaching Provided
Crops for which the recommended N rate is adapted depending upon nitrate leaching risk Wheat, Maize, Potatoes

Nitrogen
Dry Springs Not Considered
Advice on irrigation for N recommendation Not Provided
Spring Crop N content Accounted for
Accepted methods for assessment of spring crop N content Nitrogen content estimation is recommended to adjust fertilization to the year conditions but is not obligatory. Several monitoring tools of the last nitrogen supply exist based on one of the following methods: 1) estimation of stems base juice nitrate content by colorimetry, 2) estimation of leaves chlorophyll content by reflectance thanks to multi-spectral sensors embedded on the tractor, on drones or satellites or 3) estimation of leaves chlorophyll content by light transmission using pliers equipped with diodes emitting red and Infrared light through the leaf.
Phosphorus
Spring Crop P content Not Accounted for
Accepted methods for assessment of spring crop P content
Nitrogen
Current in season crop N requirement Estimated
Basis for N Requirement Estimation Standard values for crop N content
Expected yields Estimated in season N requirement can be adjusted for expected yields
Basis of crop N requirements Crop approach
Phosphorus
Current in season crop P requirement Estimated
Basis for P requirement estimation Standard values for crop P content
Expected yields Estimated P requirement can be adjusted for expected yields
Basis of crop P requirements Crop approach, Rotation approach
Potassium
Current in season crop K requirement Estimated
Basis for K requirement estimation Standard Yield
Expected yields Estimated K requirement can be adjusted for expected yields
Basis of crop K requirements Crop approach, Rotation approach
Crops for which yield adjustments are made Wheat, Maize
Adjustments for Potato Recommendations
Recommendations on length of growing season, variety, haulm length and/or determinacy groups Available
Available adjustments for potatoes Planting date; harvest date; market outlet; The recommended nitrogen dose increases with the length of the growing season and varies according to the market outlets: higher for industrial potatoes and ware potatoes than for starch potatoes and shot potatoes.

Adjustments for nitrate leaching, gaseous N-losses and Ammonia Mitigation
N adjustments to account for gaseous N-losses are included for Not included
Fertiliser types and additives change recommendation
Ammonia mitigation strategies used for manufactured fertilisers
Manure application methods used for reducing ammonia emissions
Organic materials nutrient content
Crop available N for different types of organic material Calculated
Organic materials for which crop available N is calculated Farmyard manure (cattle, goat, pig, sheep, horse, duck), Cattle slurry, Pig slurry, Poultry manure, Digestate, Compost, Waste derived materials e.g. paper crumble, food waste
Crop available nutrients from organic materials accounted for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
Nutrients for which there is an option to input own organic material nutrient analysis Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K)
Types of organic materials for which regulation stipulates a sampling requirement Certain types

Guidance on fertilizer application timings Provided, Adjusted for the total amount of nutrient applied
Guidance on the rate of fertiliser to apply at each timing Provided
Number of fertilizer N applications in wheat 3
Application number between maize and potatoes Different
Number of fertiliser N applications in maize (or potatoes) There are no obligations regarding the number of nitrogen applications for different crops but only advice taking into account the total dose to be applied, the quantity of mineral nitrogen already present in the soil at the end of the winter or at spring crops sowing, if there are applications of organic products, the sensitivity of the type of soil to nitrate leaching, the possibility or not to bury nitrogen fertilizer applications in order to avoid ammonia volatilization, the use of fertilizers with controlled nitrogen release… Generally, 3 to 4 doses are recommended for wheat but it can be less if the total dose is low. On maize, it is generally recommend 2 applications and most often only 1 buried N application on potatoes.
P & K application frequency in winter wheat Once every 2-5 years
P & K application frequency between maize and potatoes Different
P & K application frequency in maize (or potatoes) Potato is classified as a crop with a high sensitivity to phosphorus and potassium deficiency, maize has a low sensitivity to phosphorus deficiency and a medium sensitivity in potassium deficiency, and wheat has a low sensitivity to phosphorus and potassium deficiency. The input recommendations take this notion of sensitivity into account, particularly regarding the advice of fertilization skipping which is more common for wheat than for potatoes.
Crops with guidance available for the placement of fertilisers Maize, Potatoes
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