Nutrient Management Guide (RB209)

The Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) helps you make the most of organic materials and balance the benefits of fertiliser use against the costs – both economic and environmental. The guide explains the value of nutrients, soil and why good nutrient management is about more than just the fertilisers you buy; it can save you money as well as help protect the environment.

RB209 publications (the seven sections)

Section 1 – Principles of nutrient management and fertiliser use

Section 2 – Organic materials

Section 3 – Grass and forage crops

Section 4 – Arable crops

Section 5 – Potatoes

Section 6 – Vegetables and bulbs

Section 7 – Fruit, vines and hops

Nutrient management planning

A good nutrient management plan provides a foundation for in-season management and can highlight ways to improve your approach. A plan can also demonstrate compliance with nutrient regulations and highlight where adjustments to farm practice is needed.

How to create a nutrient management plan

RB209 updates – what’s new?

Discover what changed in each edition of the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209). Based on latest independent research, we have revised the recommendations annually since 2017.

See the latest updates

Crop Nutrient Management Partnership

We update the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) in partnership with many organisations. The partnership includes a Steering Group supported by two Technical Working Groups (TWGs). The partnership coordinates the research and knowledge exchange it funds to generate independent, scientifically robust and practical data on crop nutrient management for the UK.

Find out more and join

Soil pH and liming recommendations

The AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) includes guidance on the management of soil acidity and alkalinity.

Learn about optimum and target pH and lime recommendations for major arable and grass systems and soil types.

Find out more

RB209 review

We first published RB209 in 2017 in seven sections, following a technical review of its content in 2016.

Since then, it has been annually updated, based on evidence provided by research commissioned by AHDB, in partnership with others.

To ensure RB209 continues to meet the changing needs of levy payers, we are leading the first large-scale strategic review of RB209 since 2016.

We have received several hundred responses to an RB209 questionnaire and conducted 35 stakeholder interviews.

These responses will help us develop recommendations on RB209’s development, which will be considered by the RB209 review steering committee by the end of the year.

Visit the RB209 review page

What is the NUTRI-CHECK NET?

NUTRI-CHECK NET (2023–25) is helping to optimise nutrient management across Europe, via a three-step process: Plan – Check and Adjust – Review. The EU-funded network is:

Collating nutrient management resources
Setting up farmer Crop Nutrition Clubs (including in England and Scotland)
Evaluating nutrient management practices
Creating best practice guidance with farmers and researchers

ADAS, the UK lead, is collaborating with the project’s National Expert Group for the UK, which comprises farmers, researchers and industry representatives. The group includes Amanda Bennett, who oversees the production of RB209 at AHDB.

Learn more about NUTRI-CHECK NET

Webinar: Optimising crop nutrition through in season ‘checks’ and ‘adjustments'