NPKGRIDS: a global georeferenced dataset of N, P2O5, and K2O fertilizer application rates for 173 crops.

We introduce NPKGRIDS, a new geospatial dataset, providing for the first time data on application rates for all three main plant nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P, in terms of phosphorus pentoxide, P2O5) and potassium (K, in terms of potassium oxide, K2O) across 173 crops as of 2020, with a geospatial resolution of 0.05° (approximately 5.6 km at the equator). Development of NPKGRIDS adopted a data fusion approach to integrate crop mask information with eight published datasets of fertilizer application rates, compiled from either georeferenced data or national and subnational statistics. Furthermore, the total applied mass of N, P2O5, and K2O were benchmarked against the country level information from FAO and the International Fertilizers Association (IFA) and validated against data available from National Statistical Offices (NSOs). NPKGRIDS can be used in global modelling, and decision and policy making to help maximize crop yields while reducing environmental impacts.

CROPGRIDS: a global geo-referenced dataset of 173 crops.

CROPGRIDS is a comprehensive global geo-referenced dataset providing area information for 173 crops for the year 2020, at a resolution of 0.05° (about 5.6 km at the equator). It represents a major update of the Monfreda et al. (2008) dataset (hereafter MRF), the most widely used geospatial dataset previously available, covering 175 crops with reference year 2000 at 10 km spatial resolution. CROPGRIDS builds on information originally provided in MRF and expands it using 27 selected published gridded datasets, subnational data of 52 countries obtained from National Statistical Offices, and the 2020 national-level statistics from FAOSTAT, providing more recent harvested and crop (physical) areas for 173 crops at regional, national, and global levels. The CROPGRIDS data advance the current state of knowledge on the spatial distribution of crops, providing useful inputs for modelling studies and sustainability analyses relevant to national and international processes.