Egypt has a long tradition of using mineral fertilizers, its first use of Chilean nitrates dating back to 1902. For over thirty years, all mineral fertilizers were imported, until the local production of phosphate fertilizers started in 1936. The production of nitrogen fertilizers began in 1951. No potash fertilizers are produced in Egypt due to the lack of resources, although it was reported recently that some local potash deposits had been found.

The demand for food and other agricultural commodities is increasing in Egypt due to the increase in the population and improvements in living standards. Efforts continue to improve crop productivity and quality. The breeding of new high yielding varieties and the development of better agricultural practices are some of the measures aimed at increasing agricultural production to meet the increase in demand.

Appropriate fertilization is one of the most important agricultural practices for achieving the objectives. Evaluation of the best source of nutrients, optimum rates of fertilization, suitable timing and proper fertilizer placement are necessary for efficient fertilizer management.

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. When the Sun’s energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of it is reflected back to space and the rest is absorbed and re-radiated by greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and some artificial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The absorbed energy warms the atmosphere and the surface of the Earth. This process maintains the Earth’s temperature at around 33 degrees Celsius warmer than it would otherwise be, allowing life on Earth to exist.