Production of Nitrogen Fertilizer

We provide background on nitrogen fertilizer production in the United States, thereby aiding in understanding conservation concerns with nitrogen production. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and makes up approximately 78% of the atmosphere. One of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century is the Haber-Bosch process, which transforms atmospheric nitrogen into synthetic nitrogen for crop fertilization. The discovery of the Haber-Bosch process allowed for the widespread fertilization of crops, and together with other agricultural technology advancements, helped revolutionize food production for a growing world population. This article explores the history of nitrogen fertilizer use in the U.S., briefly explains the science of synthetic nitrogen production, and provides a discussion about the nitrogen industry in the U.S. today.

Sellars, S. and V. Nunes. "Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizer in the U.S.." farmdoc daily (11):24, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, February 17, 2021.