OC-12.2: Nutrient use efficiency (Advanced)

Definition: This indicator measures nutrient removal per unit of nutrient supplied through pre-existing nutrient in the soil and addition of organic and inorganic fertilisers.

Unit of Measure: Ratio

Disaggregated by: Nutrient, crop, geographic location (national, sub-national)
Nutrient: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
Crop: Chickpea, lentil, faba beans, grass pea, spring barley, winter barley, durum wheat, spring bread wheat

Method of Calculation:
Nutrient Use Efficiency NUE=Crop nutrient contentQuantity of nutrient removed from the soil by the crop
Quantity of nutrient removed from the soil by the crop=nutrient content of organic fertilizer applied+nutrient content of inorganic fertilizer applied+(soil nutrient content at sowing-soil nutrient content at harvest)

Data sources: Farm households, Farmers' fields/plots

Data collection method: Farm household surveys, farm records, soil sampling

Data collection and reporting responsibility: Program leader, project leader, project M&E focal point person

Data Collection and Reporting Frequency: Annual, bi-annual, baseline, mid-term, end-term.

Evidence required:
For internal evaluation or research studies: Study protocol, data collection tools, dataset, report, fertilizer application records, laboratory analysis records
For external evaluation or research studies: Request for proposals (RFP) document, inception report, final report, dataset

Rationale: Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is a critically important concept in the evaluation of crop production systems. Tracking this indicator will help examine the process ICARDA is making in the areas of fertilizer management, soil management, and water management.

Comments and limitations: