Modern economic and ecological aspects of fertilizer application in the crop production

The purpose of the article is to explore current features of the production, supply and use of mineral and organic fertilizers in Ukraine, to identify the main environmental and economic problems in this segment, and to offer conceptual directions for their solution. Research methods. In the course of the research, the following general scientific methods were used: monographic (for comprehensive analysis of the production, supply and use of fertilizers); comparative analysis (for comparison of the level of use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture of Ukraine and foreign countries); calculation (for determination of the value of lost nutrients); statistical comparison and grouping (for identification of trends of fertilization of agricultural land, number of livestock and humus balance); abstract-logical (for generalizations and formulation of conclusions). Research results. Features of application of mineral and organic fertilizers in agriculture of Ukraine were analysed. It was shown the livestock population, which directly affects the volume of organic fertilizer production. Key problems of soil fertility reproduction, which determine the growing shortage of basic nutrients, were considered. Compliance of the volumes of nutrient input with scientifically grounded norms was evaluated. Cost of nutrients lost with chronic nutrient deficiency and humus mineralization was calculated. Key problems of the modern system of fertilizer use in the crop production were consolidated and conceptual directions of their solution were offered. Elements of scientific novelty. Conceptual directions of solving ecological and economic problems of application of mineral and organic fertilizers in the crop production were further developed. Practical significance. The research results can be used in the process of further scientific solution of problems of growing shortage of basic nutrients of plants, loss of humus reserves and their monetization in assessing the economic efficiency of Ukrainian agriculture. Tabl.: 5. Figs.: 2. Refs.: 17.