This report summarizes findings in the agronomic area of fertilizer research from July 1, 1975, through September 30, 1978. Similar 3-year reports were issued in 1957 and at 3-year intervals thereafter.

Much has been learned about the proper and judicious use of fertilizers. Fertilizer application by farmers has grown from an art to a science. As food producers have strived to increase crop yields by overcoming nutrient deficiencies the use of fertil izers has increased dramatically. This has created a large chemical industry capable of supplying the needed plant food elements. A more complete understanding of soil chemistry and plant nutrition has led to greater fertilizer use with improved fertilization methods and crop cultural practices. Improved fertilizer technology has led to the production of more efficient forms of fertilizer. The modem fertilizer industry and with it fertilization practices began in the humid countries of the world. The use of fertilizers in arid and semiarid regions was later in development, although agriculture had its beginning in semiarid and arid regions. The development offertilizer use is parallel to industrial development in various areas of the world.

Potential whistle-blower bewares. Whistling blowing act might lead to career suicide. So think carefully before you plunge into action, because ultimately the price you have to pay is your dismissal. Government agency apparently is rarely prepared to admit mistakes or attend to the views expressed by their workers. In fact, more often than not, they would rather deny the charges from workers and continue to not respond to it or even lie about it. Government agency often issues its policy statement encouraging its employees to freely express their view without fear of recrimination or retributions. But be careful before you take the bait, which I did. Employees should know that there is also an unwritten policy, which is to harass or retaliate against people critical of or who disagree with any action taken by the agency. These people are labeled troublemakers and will eventually be terminated. Remember government rarely practices what it preaches, period. Government will often spend an enormous amount of time and resources to orchestrate the removal of the so-called whistle blowers, a.k.a. troublemakers. These whistle blowers are often persecuted for the only crime they committed which is to tell the truth, and would ultimately be dismissed from their jobs. My advice to the would-be whistle blower is this: do not blow the whistle unless you are prepared to lose everything. It is better to remain silence than to speak out to lose your job.