‘Curious Conversations’ podcast: Rory Maguire talks about fertilizer in light of the Iran war
Rory Maguire joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about fertilizer and how its production is being impacted by the Iran war. He explained what nutrients make up most fertilizers, how they behave differently in soil, and which are most impacted by the conflict. He also shared some practical advice that could be applied to both large-scale farms and small gardens.
“Curious Conversations” is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Takeaways
Most fertilizer is some combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are crucial for optimizing crop growth.
Nitrogen is the key nutrient impacted by the Iran war. Maguire said roughly 30 percent of the world’s nitrogen fertilizers come from the Persian Gulf region.
Nitrogen doesn’t linger in soil as long as other nutrients, resulting it in sometimes needing to be applied multiple time and highlighting the benefits of soil testing prior to application.
About Maguire
Maguire is a professor and Extension specialist in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. He is also the supervisor of the Soil Testing Laboratory at Virginia Tech. His research aims to improve the efficiency of fertilizer and manure nutrient management, using innovative approaches to protect the environment while enhancing the profitability and sustainability of farming systems.
Learn more
Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension receive $1 million grant to promote soil health
Collaborative effort to raise awareness of soil health
Expert tips for choosing healthy plants at the garden center this spring
About the podcast
"Curious Conversations" is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, university researchers share their expertise and motivations as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.
