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RB209 updates – what’s new?
Discover what changed in each edition of the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). Based on latest independent research, AHDB has revised the recommendations annually since 2017.
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
Page 2: Acknowledgements moved to the back page.
Page 2: Contents page and page numbering updated.
Page 3: Introductory wording updated, and new disclaimer included.
Page 3: Reference to the RB209 app removed (no longer available for download).
Page 4: New “Points to consider" box added regarding rules and regulations.
Page 5: New link added in “Further information” box to “Carbon footprint calculators”.
Page 6: Link added in “Further information” box to Section 2: Organic materials.
Page 7: Second and third paragraphs have been updated.
Page 7: Two legislative links added in the “Further information” box to the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing ammonia emissions for both England and Wales.
Page 10: Correction made to Figure 1.1. Assessment of soil texture by hand. The final step leading to “Sandy clay” now reads “Also rough and gritty”. The final step to “Silty clay loam” now reads “Also smooth and buttery”.
Page 17: Nitrogen supply and losses sections refined.
Page 18: New “Further information” box was added containing links to AHDB’s nitrogen adjustment calculators for cereals and oilseeds, and grassland.
Page 18: The third line of the fourth paragraph has been revised to “More information on such organic materials (e.g. paper crumble) is provided in Section 2: Organic materials”.
Page 20: Link updated in “Further information” box to AHDB’s excess winter rainfall data.
Page 23: In the final sentence, “oats” has been added.
Page 33: Link updated in the “Further information” box for “Trace elements in beef and sheep production”.
Page 37: Links updated for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and farming rules for water.
Page 38: Neutralising value for sugar beet lime updated.
Page 39: The definition for additionally available nitrogen has been added.
Page 41: Organic material (manure) and run-off definitions have been revised.
Page 42: Soil organic matter definition has been revised.
Page 44: AHDB contact information updated.
Section 2: Organic materials
Page 2: Acknowledgements moved to the back page.
Page 2: Contents page and page numbering updated.
Page 3: Introductory wording updated, and new disclaimer included.
Page 3: Reference to the RB209 app removed (no longer available for download).
Page 4: The second line of the second paragraph is refined to “Guidance on avoiding pollution, including manure management planning, is given in the national Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (COGAP)”.
Page 4: The box previously listing links to information on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones has been renamed and updated to include links to regulations and guidance for the prevention of water pollution.
Page 4: Links added in the “Further information” box to relevant codes of practice and assurance schemes.
Page 8: Sentence added to the final paragraph before the “Ammonia volatilisation” section: “Use relevant sections of the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) to ensure applications are made at a suitable time for maximum crop growth of the specific crop”.
Page 8: Additional links added in the “Further information” box to the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for reducing ammonia emissions/losses for England and Wales.
Page 9: First line in the final paragraph under “Nitrate leaching” refined to “Delaying applications until late winter or spring will reduce nitrate leaching and increase the efficiency of utilisation of the nitrogen contained”.
Page 9: Second line under “Release of crop-available nitrogen from organic materials” revised to “Where the nitrogen mineralised from the material is not taken up by the crop in the season following application, nitrate may be lost by leaching during the following overwinter period. Nitrate may also accumulate in soil organic matter, allowing further long-term savings in nitrogen fertiliser inputs”.
Page 9: Points to consider box content updated to highlight that relevant rules should be consulted.
Page 9: Further information referencing The Farm Crap App and MANNER-NPK moved to this page.
Page 12: Third line of “Step 3” reworded to “Make sure that plans adhere to all relevant rules (see box ‘Regulations and guidance for the prevention of water pollution’ on page 4)”.
Page 12: Start of the first line of the fourth paragraph under “Practical aspects of organic material use” revised from “In NVZs” to “Under regulations”.
Page 13: Links in the first “Further information” box updated for the Safe Sludge Matrix and Renewable Fertiliser Matrix.
Page 13: Links in second “Further information box” updated to “Managing nutrients for better returns” and “Think Manures”.
Page 14: Table 2.3 made clearer.
Page 17: Footnote “e” added: “For separated cattle slurry (liquid portion), use the values for 2% dry matter slurry”.
Page 18: Table 2.9 footnote “b” amended to “Typical dry matter and phosphate, potash, sulphur and magnesium contents of cattle slurry are shown in bold”.
Page 20: Table 2.12 footnote “e” added: “For separated pig slurry (liquid portion), use the values for 2% dry matter slurry”.
Page 21: Table 2.13 footnote “b” amended to “Typical dry matter and phosphate, potash, sulphur and magnesium contents of pig slurry are shown in bold”.
Page 22 and 23: Footnote added to tables, linking to current market values for fertiliser.
Page 24: Link updated for the Safe Sludge Matrix.
Page 27: Footnote added to table, linking to current market values for fertiliser.
Page 28: Link updated for “Digestate and compost in agriculture”.
Page 29: Footnote added to table, linking to current market values for fertiliser.
Page 30: Link updated for “Digestate and compost in agriculture”.
Page 32: Footnote added to table, linking to current market values for fertiliser.
Page 35: Definitions added for band-spreading, closed period, crop nitrogen requirement, grassland, greenhouse gas, heavy metal and inorganic fertiliser.
Page 36: Definitions added for macronutrient, maintenance application, major nutrient and SNS Index. The definition of organic material (manure) has been revised.
Page 37: The definition of soil organic matter has been revised.
Page 40: AHDB contact information updated.
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
Page 2: Acknowledgements moved to the back page.
Page 2: Contents page and page numbering updated.
Page 3: Introductory wording updated, and new disclaimer included.
Page 3: Reference to the RB209 app removed (no longer available for download).
Page 4: New link added in the “Further information” box for the “AHDB cost benefit calculator for nitrogen fertiliser use in grassland”.
Page 4: New “Points to consider” box added regarding rules and regulations.
Page 5: Checklist point 2 revised to “For each field, check the relevant regulations and rules for application rates and timing for organic materials and fertilisers (e.g. nitrate vulnerable zones)”.
Page 6: Text and links updated in the first “Further information” box on grass measurement methods.
Page 6: Second “Further information” box revised with a new link added to “AHDB information, tools and resources on grass and forage” as well as more specific links added for the “Tried & Tested” and “Think Manures” resources.
Page 7: Third bullet point under “Taking soil samples” updated to include classification of short-term ley “For long-term grass, sample between September and February. Sample for short-term (<5 years) leys before sowing or after cultivation. Sample before forage crops (after harvest of the previous crop)”.
Page 8: More specific links added in the “Further information” box for “Healthy grassland soils”.
Page 9: Example 3.1 moved to this page.
Page 11: Footnote corrected in “Nitrogen recommendations” section to “SNS = Soil nitrogen supply”.
Page 12: Table 3.6, the footnote “b” cue has been moved to the SNS status column heading.
Page 16: Revisions made to the “Point to consider” box to highlight the rules and regulations referencing the new “Points to consider” box on page 4.
Page 17: Final line revised in the footnote of Table 3.12 to “Be aware of closed periods in regulations (e.g. NVZ)”.
Page 17: New link added in the “Further information” box to “Hypomagnesaemia”.
Page 18: Opening sentence of “Micronutrients (trace elements)” section revised for clarity: “When adding lime, avoid liming fields above pH 7 as this can induce deficiencies of trace elements, such as copper, cobalt and selenium, which can adversely affect livestock growth but not affect grass growth”.
Page 19: Reference to Section 4 added in the final line of the “Calculating soil nitrogen supply” section, in relation to further detail provided on the Measurement Method.
Page 19: Reference to Section 2 added in the first bullet point in the “Points to consider” box.
Page 20: Figure 3.2 revised for clarity, showing two arrows leading to “Medium soil”.
Page 22: Additional information added to Step 3: “There are three SNS Index tables representing ‘low rainfall’ (annual rainfall less than 600 mm, or less than 150 mm excess winter rainfall), ‘moderate rainfall’ (between 600–700 mm annual rainfall, or 150–250 mm excess winter rainfall), and ‘high rainfall’ areas (over 700 mm annual rainfall, over 250 mm excess winter rainfall)”.
Page 22: “Further information” box added with link to AHDB’s excess winter rainfall resource.
Page 22: Additional guidance added to Step 4: “Select one of these tables according to rainfall for the season”.
Page 23 and 24: Footnote text corrected on Table 3.15 and Table 3.17.
Page 24: Footnote added to Table 3.18: “See page 25 for further information on ‘Low N’ and ‘High N’ grassland”.
Page 29: Footnote added to Table 3.25: “For nitrogen recommendations based on expected grain yield (t/ha) for winter-sown oats, refer to Section 4: Arable crops”.
Page 29: Footnote added to Table 3.26: “For nitrogen recommendations based on expected grain yield (t/ha) for spring-sown oats, refer to Section 4: Arable crops”.
Page 30: “Further information” box moved to “Wholecrop cereals” section from previously before this section.
Page 31: Example 3.7 moved to this page.
Page 34: Neutralising value (NV) for sugar beet lime updated.
Page 35: Definitions added for biosolids, closed period, compost, digestate, excess winter rainfall, green manure and incorporation.
Page 36: Definitions added for mineralisable nitrogen, readily available nitrogen and soil mineral nitrogen (SMN). Definitions revised for major nutrient and organic material (manure).
Page 37: Definitions added for soil organic matter and target Soil Index.
Page 40: AHDB contact information updated.
Section 4: Arable crops
Page 2: Acknowledgements moved to the back page.
Page 2: Contents page and page numbering updated.
Page 3: Introductory wording updated, and new disclaimer included.
Page 3: Reference to the RB209 app removed (no longer available for download).
Page 4: New “Points to consider” box added regarding rules and regulations.
Page 5: Final line added to “Calculating soil nitrogen supply (SNS)”: “Some field situations are better suited to one particular SNS estimation method (see details on pages 8 and 11)”.
Page 6: Figure 4.1 revised for clarity, showing two arrows leading to “Medium soil”.
Page 8: New table added showing excess winter rainfall categories.
Page 10: New footnote added to Table 4.6: “See page 11 for further information on ‘Low N’ and ‘High N’ grassland”.
Page 12: Subheading under “Step 1. Measure soil mineral nitrogen (SMN)” revised to: “Guidance on how to collect and prepare a soil sample for SMN analysis”.
Page 12: Bullet points under “Guidance on how to collect and prepare a soil sample for SMN analysis” re-ordered to keep similar points together.
Page 15: Page numbers added to table references in examples 4.4 and 4.5.
Page 15: Example 4.1 recommendation value corrected to 160 kg N/ha.
Page 15: Example 4.2 table reference page corrected.
Page 15: Example 4.4 corrected for ley type, SNS Index and indices for the next two crops.
Page 16: “Further information” box moved to this page from page 17.
Page 17: Fourth bullet point under “Taking soil samples for phosphorus, potassium and magnesium” updated to: “Do not sample within six months of a lime or fertiliser application (except nitrogen) or six weeks of the last organic manure application in autumn. Avoid sampling when the soil is very dry”.
Page 17: Fifth bullet point under “Taking soil samples for phosphorus, potassium and magnesium” updated to: “Do not take samples where muck heaps or feeders have been, in headlands, or in the immediate vicinity of hedges, trees or other unusual features”.
Page 21: The in-text example has been called Example 4.8.
Page 22: Footnote added to Table 4.14: “Recommendations for N in spring barley is based on an expected yield of 7 t/ha. If necessary, this can be adjusted to 5.5 t/ha to align with current P and K recommendations”.
Page 23: Last sentence under “Sulphur” has been revised to: “Where deficiency has been recognised or is expected in winter- or spring-sown cereals, apply 25–50 kg/ha SO3 as a sulphate-containing fertiliser between early March to the end of April for all cereals, taking into account the drilling date”.
Page 27: Text updated under “Wheat grown for bread making” to reflect recent research findings to: “Generally, an application of nitrogen will be economically worthwhile to boost the grain protein concentration to meet market specifications.
“Key considerations
The decision to apply additional N should be based on:
- Recommendations for fertilising adequately for yield
- The value of the economic premium for meeting the protein threshold
- The farm’s past success in meeting the required grain quality specification
- Uptake of previously applied nitrogen if in a low spring rainfall season
“Typically, applying an extra 40 kg N/ha could increase grain protein by up to 0.5%. Applying an extra 80 kg N/ha may increase grain protein by up to 1%.
“Soil-applied nitrogen should be applied during stem extension between GS32 and GS39. Later applications can increase protein further, but there is a risk of dry soil conditions reducing N uptake and effectiveness. If soils are drying and/or rainfall is not forecast, then applications should be brought forward. This nitrogen may give a small yield increase as well as an increase in grain protein.
“Late foliar urea application during the milky ripe stage (GS73) is generally better at increasing grain protein than soil-applied nitrogen but cannot be expected to increase yield. Recent trial work has shown the application of foliar urea has no detrimental impact on baking quality in comparison to soil-applied nitrogen”.
Page 27: Addition of second bullet to the “Points to consider” box: “All relevant rules should be consulted at an early stage in nutrient management planning to ensure compliance. There can be limitations on the amounts of nitrogen applied in manufactured fertilisers and organic manures.”
Page 29: More specific links added to the “Further information” box.
Page 29: Break-even ratio corrected in “The effect of economic changes on nitrogen rates” section.
Page 29: The table under “Oats and rye, winter-sown – nitrogen” has been split into two. Table 4.19 contains new data for winter-sown oats based on expected yield from recent research findings. Table 4.20 contains unchanged data for rye with an additional footnote to say, “Reduce the recommended rate by 25 kg N/ha for rye if lodging risk is high”.
Page 29-30: New text added under “Winter-sown oats” following recent research findings: “Evidence from recent research shows a correlation between yield and crop nitrogen demand for oats, supporting the adjustment of nitrogen rates for expected yield when site history indicates consistently below- or above-average yields. Note that the expected yield drives the N recommendation, as shown in Table 4.19, with an adjustment of nitrogen rates by 20 kg/ha per 1 t/ha change in expected yield.
“If you farm in an NVZ, you will be expected to have written evidence of actual yields from at least two previous crops. If you don’t farm in an NVZ, then a sensible approach would be to take the last five years’ field-specific yields, discard the highest and lowest, and take an average of the remaining three years.
“These recommendations assume appropriate measures are taken to control lodging (e.g. choice of variety or use of plant growth regulators). Reduce the recommended rate by 40 kg N/ha (for oats) if lodging risk is high.”
Page 30: New text under a new heading “Impact of nitrogen on winter oat quality”: “Applying higher rates of N (>180 kg N/ha) is beneficial for kernel content and hullability but can lead to slightly reduced specific weights and increased screenings. If oats are destined for the milling market, potential effects on quality should be considered, and previous experience should be used when determining nitrogen rates.”
Page 32: New text added under “Oats, rye, and triticale, spring-sown – nitrogen” following recent research findings “Recent research has provided new evidence for nitrogen for spring-sown oats. In the absence of updated data for rye and triticale, use the oats Table 4.24 up to 7.5 t/ha expected yield for these crops. These guideline recommendations assume appropriate measures are taken to control lodging (e.g. variety choice or plant growth regulators).
“Spring oats yields are regionally very variable. Generally, the yields are higher further north and/or where there is an ample supply of moisture throughout the spring and early summer.”
Page 32: Table 4.24 revised and updated to include oats-only data based on expected yield following recent research findings with a footnote applying to rye and triticale saying: “This table can also be used for spring-sown rye and triticale up to 7.5 t/ha expected yield for these crops.”
Page 32: New text under new heading “Timing of application” saying: “Apply at least 40 kg N/ha in the seedbed (this may be higher for later sowings) and the remainder by GS31/32.
“Reduce the risk of nitrate leaching by limiting any seedbed nitrogen applications to 40 kg N/ha if the crop is sown before March or on a light sand soil or if there is a likelihood of substantial rainfall soon after drilling.”
Page 32: New text under new heading “Impact of nitrogen on spring oat quality” from recent research saying: “Applying higher rates of nitrogen is beneficial for kernel content and hullability but can lead to slightly reduced specific weights and increased screenings. If oats are destined for the milling market, potential effects on quality should be considered, and previous experience should be used when determining nitrogen rates.”
Page 32: Link added in the “Further information” box directing to the “AHDB cost benefit calculator for nitrogen fertiliser use”.
Page 33: Table 4.25 renamed “Effect of economic changes on nitrogen rate – all cereals (except oats)”.
Page 34: New table 4.26 added “Effect of economic changes on nitrogen rate – oats” to reflect recent research findings.
Page 40: Table 4.32 layout changed to line up “Fertiliser cost (£/tonne product)” and “Change to recommended N for oilseed rape (kg N/ha)” for easier reading and interpretation.
Page 40: Link added in the “Further information” box directing to the “AHDB cost benefit calculator for nitrogen fertiliser use”.
Page 41: More specific link added to the “Further information” box.
Page 42: Table 4.36 heading updated to “Phosphate, potash, magnesium and sodium for sugar beet”.
Page 46: Conversion added for grain nitrogen concentration.
Page 47: Products containing inhibitors added to “Nitrogen fertilisers”.
Page 47: Sugar beet lime neutralising value updated.
Page 48: Definitions added for compost and digestate.
Page 49: Definition added for neutralising value. Definitions for organic manure and organic material refined to a single definition for “Organic material (manure)”.
Page 50: Definitions added for readily available nitrogen and run-off.
Page 50: The definition of soil organic matter has been revised.
Page 52: AHDB contact information updated.
Section 5: Potatoes
No changes.
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
No changes.
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
No changes.
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
Page 2: Guide contributor logos updated.
Page 4: Contents page and page numbering updated.
Page 6: Greenhouse gases section refined – ‘paying particular attention to soil pH’ included.
Page 10: Final bullet point on soil series refined to include guidance on scale maps and soil inspection.
Page 12: Further information box added for soil organic matter.
Page 13: Lime requirement formula emphasised, optimal pH for organic and subsoils added to Table 1.1, and new paragraph on correcting subsoil pH added.
Page 14: A new Figure 1.2 ‘Optimal Nutrient Availability’ inserted, with additional text above it outlining the importance of maintaining optimum pH.
Page 15: The first line of the third paragraph has additional text – ‘with the balance applied in the following year’.
Page 15: The fifth paragraph includes additional guidance on the maintenance and top-up applications of lime, the importance of pH on macronutrient availability, nutrient use efficiency and environmental benefits. The nitrous oxide text in this paragraph has been refined.
Page 15: The liming materials section now features text on the regulation of liming materials and the reactivity of lime. Information on the effect of fineness has also been refined.
Page 16: The final paragraph has additional text on correcting soil surface pH and adjusting for stony soils.
Page 25: Phosphate, potash and magnesium for field crops information has moved to page 25. The first paragraph now includes text on earthworm activity.
Page 26: In the soil sampling and analysis section, ‘pH’ has been added to the first sentence of first paragraph. In the second paragraph, guidance on GPS sampling of soils has been refined. A new paragraph on the value of subsoil sampling has been added.
Page 27: Potash-releasing clays and other clays now added to a new Table 1.5 ‘Classification of clays’, with an additional footnote ‘Where topsoil is medium textured or has stones (apart from chalky boulder clay)’, move to the ‘Intermediate’ category.
Page 32: The section on magnesium (Mg) is now on page 32. Additional guidance on soil types most at risk of low Mg indices, potential risk of Mg deficiency in arable crops, how to increase Mg indices (when required) and management of soil types with high Mg indices, has been included.
Page 41: Sugar beet lime neutralising value and nutrient values updated to read ‘28–35. Typically, P2O5 8-10 kg/t, MgO 7–8 kg/t, SO3 5–7 kg/t.’
Section 2: Organic materials
Page 2: Guide contributor logos updated.
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
Page 2: Guide contributor information updated.
Page 8: Text added to first bullet point ‘(3 years, if regularly cut)’.
Page 8: Third bullet updated on sampling for long-term grass, short-term leys and forage crops.
Page 8: ‘Avoid sampling visible urine patches or dung pats’ added to the end of sixth bullet point.
Page 9: Correction of ‘mg/kg’ to ‘mg/L’ in first sentence.
Page 26: Example 3.5, last section, text revised to say ‘Using Table 3.18 for medium soils, select the category ‘3-5 year leys high N, 1 cut and grazed’, which gives an SNS index of 3 in year one.’
Section 4: Arable crops
Page 2: Guide contributor logos updated.
Page 4: Contents page and page numbering updated
Page 20: Correction of ‘mg/kg’ to ‘mg/L’ in first sentence.
Page 32: Spring barley recommendations updated. Table 4.20 re-labelled ‘4.20a’ and updated to make it applicable to ‘all soils.’ New footnote (‘a’) contains guidance on organic and peaty soils. In the second paragraph below Table 4.20a, the expected yield value has changed from 5.5. t/ha to 7 t/ha, from which the nitrogen rate is adjusted.
Page 33: New table, Table 4.20b ‘Adjusting the nitrogen recommendation of spring-sown barley for expected yield’ has been added.
Page 33: ‘Timing of application’ section, text updated to say 'Apply all nitrogen between the time of drilling and GS30, with at least 40 kg N/ha in the seedbed. Reduce the risk of nitrate leaching by limiting any seed bed N applications of more than 40kg N/ha if the crop is sown before March, or on a light sand soil, or if there is a likelihood of substantial rainfall soon after drilling.'
Page 33: ‘Malting barley – nitrogen’ section, second paragraph has been refined and shortened.
Page 34: Table 4.22 has been updated to include higher prices of ammonium nitrate.
Page 40: Table 4.28 has been renamed ‘Table 4.28a’ and updated to include higher prices of ammonium nitrate. A new table, Table 4.28b 'Effect on yield of adjusting N applied from the optimum’, should be used in conjunction with Table 4.28a.
Errata (2022 edition)
Table 4.28a in the original Section 4 of the Nutrient Management Guide displayed incorrect figures.
This data relates to the effect of economic changes on nitrogen rates for oilseed rape.
The current version (updated 16 September 2022, online) displays correct values.
Section 5: Potatoes
No changes.
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
No changes.
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
No changes.
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
- No changes
Section 2: Organic materials
- Page 26, example 2.3 has been amended so that pig FYM is now applied ahead of a winter oilseed rape crop instead of winter wheat
- Page 30, example 2.4 has been amended so that digested cake is now applied ahead of a winter oilseed rape crop instead of winter wheat
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
- Page 8, AHDB provides a list of companies that offer soil testing services: ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-testing-companies
Section 4: Arable crops
- Page 19, AHDB provides a list of companies that offer soil testing services: ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-testing-companies
- Page 20, Table 4.11, clarified that the values for ‘Winter barley/triticale/rye’, ‘Spring wheat/barley’ and ‘Oats’ refer to ‘Grain and straw’
- Page 20, Table 4.11, footnote ‘a’ revised to clarify that the potash content in a crop can substantially decrease between maturity and harvest, as opposed to substantially vary
- Page 24, Table 4.12 and 4.13, the units for phosphate and potash recommendations should be kg/ha instead of t/ha
Section 5: Potatoes
- Page 6, AHDB provides a list of companies that offer soil testing services: ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-testing-companies
- Page 21, new potato varieties can now be assigned to a nitrogen (determinacy) group
- Page 21, Table 5.9, Seven new varieties have been added to nitrogen groups; Arsenal, Brooke, Electra, Jelly, Nectar, Shelford and VR808
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
- Page 17, AHDB provides a list of companies that offer soil testing services: ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/soil-testing-companies
- Page 36, Table 6.22, the recommendation for ‘All crops’ should be for ‘Magnesium (MgO) – all soil types’ not nitrogen
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
- No changes
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
- Updated soil sampling and analysis guidance (page 25)
- Updated leaf, now crop analysis, information (page 26)
- Updated information on target soil indices (page 27)
- Updated information on phosphate fertilisers (page 37)
Section 2: Organic materials
- No changes
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
- No changes
Section 4: Arable crops
- Consistent standard yield for cereal crops applied across N, P and K recommendations:
- Winter wheat = 8 t/ha
- Spring wheat = 6 t/ha
- Winter barley = 6.5 t/ha
- Spring barley = 5.5 t/ha
- Winter triticale = 8 t/ha
- Spring triticale = 6 t/ha
- Winter and spring rye = 6 t/ha
- Winter and spring oats = 6 t/ha
- Updated offtake values for arable crop materials (Table 4.11)
- Added guidance on grain analysis to improve phosphate management (page 21)
- Updated phosphate and potash recommendations for cereals – for when straw has been ploughed in/incorporated (Table 4.12) or removed (Table 4.13)
Note: The print edition of Section 4 contains an error. Phosphate and potash recommendations (Tables 4.12 and 4.13) are in kg/ha, not t/ha.
Section 5: Potatoes
- No changes
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
- Improved information for courgettes and pumpkins (page 40)
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
- No changes
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
- Page 13, added information about agricultural lime quality standards
- Page 21, a further information box has been added containing a link to AHDB’s excess winter rainfall data
- Page 32, comprehensive guidance on sulphur management has been added
Section 2: Organic materials
- Page 12, Table 2.1, the availability of sulphur from organic materials has been updated
- Page 27, information on the Biosolids Assurance Scheme has been provided
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
- Page 33, Table 3.29, the potash recommendation for fodder beet at Index 3 has been increased from 0 to 190 kg K2O/ha
Section 4: Arable crops
- Page 9, a further information box has been added containing a link to AHDB’s excess winter rainfall data
- Page 22, guidance on repeating leaf tissue sampling and analysis two weeks apart has been added to rule out transient sulphur deficiency
- Page 24, information on the malate:sulphate sulphur deficiency test has been added
- Page 29 and 32, under ‘wheat grown for breadmaking’, the guidance for additional nitrogen has been updated. It has changed from ‘typically, application of an extra 40 kg N/ha will increase grain protein by 1.1%’ to ‘typically, application of an extra 40 kg N/ha could increase grain protein by up to 1%’
- Page 36, the sulphur recommendation for winter and spring oilseed rape has increased from ‘50–75 kg SO3/ha’ to ‘50–80 kg SO3/ha’
Section 5: Potatoes
- No changes
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
- Page 21, an error in Table 6.9 has been corrected.Manganese deficiencies can be treated using a foliar spray of manganese sulphate
- Page 40, the subheading ‘coriander and mint – nitrogen’ should read ‘coriander and mint – potash’
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
- No changes
Section 1: Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use
- Page 14, footnote of Table 1.2 should be: a. For mineral and organic soils, the target soil pH is 6.7 for continuous arable cropping and 6.2 for grass. Aim for 0.2 units above the optimum pH b. For peaty soils, the target soil pH is 6.0 for continuous arable cropping and 5.5 for grass. Aim for 0.2 units above the optimum pH
Section 2: Organic materials
- Page 27, the further information box has an updated link for ‘Sewage sludge on farmland: code of practice for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (2017)’
Section 3: Grass and forage crops
- Page 4, the contents page has been updated
- Page 5, second to last bullet point in introduction section has changed to: Optimum soil pH – very low or high soil pH will reduce the amount of nutrients available to the plant. Optimum soil pH for grassland is 6.0 for mineral soils, 5.7 for intermediate organic soils and 5.3 for peaty soils. Aim to raise pH to 0.2 units above the optimum
- Page 18, a further information box has been added containing a link to AHDB’s grassland reseeding guide
- Page 32, Table 3.27 has been updated (including footnotes)
- Page 32, a new example has been added on how to calculate phosphorus and potassium requirements for wholecrop cereals
- Page 33, under sodium, it should read that if sodium is recommended but not applied, increase potash by 100 kg K2O/ha, not 10
- Page 34, a new example has been added on how to calculate phosphorus and potassium requirements for fodder beet
Section 4: Arable crops
- Page 29 and 32, under ‘wheat grown for breadmaking’, the correct amount of extra nitrogen to increase grain protein by 1.1% should be 40 kg N/ha, not 60
- Page 34, the title of Table 4.21 should read ‘Effect of economic changes on nitrogen rate – all cereals’
- Page 40, Table 4.27 has been replaced
- Page 40, the first sentence should read ‘The recommendations in Table 4.25 and 4.26 are based on a breakeven ratio of 2.5’
- Page 41, first paragraph, third sentence should read ‘Table 4.11 gives typical values of the phosphate and potash content in crop material per tonne of yield’
Section 5: Potatoes
- No changes
Section 6: Vegetables and bulbs
- Page 38, the deficient value for magnesium in Table 6.23 should be <0.15, not 1.15
- Page 39, Table 6.24 – the potash recommendation at Index 2+ should be 150, not 15
Section 7: Fruit, vines and hops
- No changes
The Fertiliser Manual (RB209) review
Prior to 2017, the previous edition of RB209 was published by Defra in 2010.
In June 2015, AHDB announced it would lead on the revision of RB209 and formed the UK Partnership for Crop Nutrient Management to oversee the programme.
What followed was the most comprehensive review of nutrient management for several years.
Delivered by an ADAS-led consortium of experts from across the UK research community, it was supported by £200,000 of in-kind funding by industry.
Farmers, growers, agronomists, breeders, researchers, fertiliser companies and other industry experts were among those consulted on how to improve RB209 recommendations.
The review, which took account of the latest research developments since 2009, generated a number of changes, including updated recommendations for additional crops and information on the nutrient content of additional organic materials.
The results formed the basis of extensive updates to the AHDB Nutrient management guide (RB209) published in May 2017.
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