Abstract
1. The cultivated land in Korea has originally low fertility resulting in high dependence to fertilizers. 2. The total fertilizer requirement calculated by the Office of Rural Development (ORD) in 1976 was about 1,153 thousand mts, and the total amount of supply planned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery was 1,010 thoushand mts which is close to the amount calculated by ORD. However, there is some gap between the amount of recommended (N, 11.6; $P_2O_5$: $K_2O$, 7.3kg/10a> and supply planned (N, 12.0; $P_2O_5$, 6.3; $K_2O$. 4.8kg/10a) fertilizers for each elements per unit area 3. For 15 years from 1960 to 1975 the fertilizer consumption of nitrogen was roughly increased from 200,000 mts to 500,000 mts; phosphorus, from 50,000 to 250,000 mts; potassium, from 10, 000 to 170,000 mts; accounting 2.5, 5, and 17 times of increase respectively. 4. The total fertilizer consumption for 5 years from 1967 to 1971 was about 100,000 mts and another 5years from 1971 to 1975 was 300,000 mts indicating three times increase. 5. The direct factors influenced to the increase of fertilizer consumption in recent years are 1) the dissemination of high yielding Tongil type rice varieties which are resistant to heavy fertilization 2) high price policy for agricaltural products 3) increased cultivation of vegetables:, fruits, and forages which require high level of fertilizers. The indirect factors are 1) dissemination of new improved agricultural techniques, 2, improvement of cultivated land conditions through irrigation system and land reform, 3) increased supply of silicate fertilizers, and 4) increase of farm income. 6. The percentage of total fertilizer consumption by rice (32%) and barley (25%) is about 57%. The ratio of total fertilizer consumption by vegetables and forages is expected to increase greatly. 7. Based on the increasing tendency of cultivated land and yield per unit area for last 10 years in each crop, total fertilizer consumptions in 1980, 1990, and 2000 year are estimated to 1,290,000, 1,580,000 and 1,870,000 mts respectively.