About

Discover Plant Nutrition Canada’s mandate and learn about our team.

Launched in 2020, Plant Nutrition Canada provides science support regarding Nutrient Stewardship practices to better inform industry association personnel, agri-environmental scientists, agronomists, crop advisors, agri-retailers, policy-makers, agricultural value chain personnel, and farmers.

Plant Nutrition Canada Amalgamation

Fertilizer Canada is pleased to announce that effective December 31, 2024, Plant Nutrition Canada (PNC) will officially amalgamate with Fertilizer Canada, following a successful approval by both Boards of Directors. This decision reflects a shared commitment to advancing nutrient stewardship and supporting sustainable plant nutrition through science-based practices.

Continuing with the long-standing mission of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), PNC has played a pivotal role in applying, interpreting, and extending scientific research to support the fertilizer industry’s nutrient stewardship goals. With this integration, Fertilizer Canada will assume responsibility for PNC’s intellectual property and continue driving research and science-backed initiatives under its expanded mandate.

Mission

To provide science-based support for sustainable management of plant nutrition.

History

Much of the scientific information Plant Nutrition Canada provides today was developed by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). From 2007 to 2019, IPNI was a not-for-profit, science-based organization dedicated to the responsible management of plant nutrition for the benefit of the human family. Its programs ceased operations on April 1, 2019.

IPNI helped many farmers and agricultural service providers better their crop production, profitability, and sustainability through research and education on responsible plant nutrition. Its flagship quarterly, Better Crops with Plant Food, dates back to 1927, distilling valued knowledge from research.

Tom Bruulsema
Chief Scientist, Plant Nutrition Canada

IPNI had active programs in Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, China, Eastern Europe/Central Asia and Middle East, Latin America-Southern Cone, Mexico and Central America, Northern Latin America, North America (Canada and U.S.A.), South Asia, and Southeast Asia. As a global organization, IPNI had initiatives addressing the world’s growing need for food, fuel, fiber, and feed. It also addressed widespread concern for issues such as food security and the relationship of crop production to the environment and ecosystems. Through cooperation and partnering with respected institutions around the world, IPNI added its strengths to agronomic research, education, demonstrations, training, and other endeavors. Best management practices for nutrient stewardship encouraged the 4R concept of applying the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. 

Financial support for IPNI was provided by member companies dedicated to the efficient and responsible use of fertilizers in plant nutrition, companies producing one or more of the major plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and sulfur) for agricultural purposes.

The International Plant Nutrition Institute was preceded by the Potash & Phosphate Institute, which in turn evolved from the Potash Institute in the 1970s, tracing back to the 1934 founding of the American Potash Institute.

Its partners include African Plant Nutrition Institute, Scientific Panel on Responsible Plant Nutrition, 4R Solution Project and 4R Research Fund.

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