Cockroaches essential to our planet for converting nitrogen into fertiliser

London: They are the most despised of all insects, but an Indian origin biologist has said that cockroaches are essential to the survival of our planet's delicate ecosystem.
According to Srini Kambhampati, professor and chair of the biology department at the University of Texas at Tyler, the disappearance of cockroaches would play havoc with the nitrogen cycle.
“Most cockroaches feed on decaying organic matter, which traps a lot of nitrogen. Cockroach feeding has the effect of releasing that nitrogen (in their feces) which then gets into the soil and is used by plants,” the Daily Mail quoted Professor Kambhampati, a leading expert on roaches, as telling the Huffington Post.
“In other words, extinction of cockroaches would have a big impact on forest health and therefore indirectly on all the species that live there,” she stated.
The professor also warned that the Earth's 5,000 to 10,000 cockroach species are also an important source of food for many birds and small mammals like mice and rats.

In turn, these predators are themselves prey to many other species like cats, coyotes, wolves and reptiles, as well as eagles and other birds of prey.
Thus, any cut to the number of roaches would have a cascading effect on the wellbeing of all these species that could have a devastating effect on wildlife across the world.
Luckily, there's not much chance of a cockroach extinction level event happening any time soon.
Still, although it was once reckoned that they would be one of the few creatures to survive even a nuclear Third World War, that myth has since been debunked

Market report

Fertiliser Market Report - 8th June 2012

Calum Findlay, Gleadell’s fertiliser manager, comments on fertiliser markets.
Nitrogen
Globally, the market is quiet for urea. Suppliers are offering granular urea forward based on prices for second half 2012 delivery. This is competitive with AN prices in Europe however, buyers in Germany and Benelux markets do not yet have CAN prices with which to make comparisons.
In the UK, Granular urea is offered below replacement cost as the market remains stable for the short term.
Although prices are being offered to farm below replacement there is limited demand, mainly due to macroeconomic pressures and volatility within the market. Global urea prices have fallen this week, but the strengthening US$ has kept prices stable in the UK and a rebound could take place and this may present a good buying opportunity.
Phosphates
The global phosphates market is looking relatively firm moving into June. Sentiment has been boosted by contract agreements in Morocco and India for 2013.
In the UK, phosphate demand remains good. TSP and DAP prices are firming further with the demand from the grassland sector being particularly strong.
Sulphur
The sulphur market remains firm in the UK and stocks remain low.
Potash
The potash market is showing signs of thawing, with prices in Brazil particularly starting to firm up. While prices being asked are not likely to be achieved until July, price ideas have increased by nearly $10/t. With DAP contracts beginning to finalise in India, this has led to optimism that Indian potash contracts will also be settled soon.
In Europe, most producers have finalised June volumes and will discuss prices on an individual shipment.

Fertiliser Market Report - 1st June 2012

Fertiliser Market Report - 1st June 2012

Calum Findlay, Gleadell’s fertiliser manager, comments on fertiliser markets:
Nitrogen
Due to the annual IFA Conference in Doha this week the market has been quiet. The urea market is still unsure in which direction to go and global markets remain very volatile. Prices have corrected by almost $15 due to prices trading slightly lower in the Pakistan tender last week and, with some producers liquidating stocks, this may set the trend for lower prices in Q3. However, there is still substantial demand from Europe, US and Pakistan and, with prices already corrected, it is doubtful that the price will fall further in the short term.
Ammonium Nitrate
The sentiment is much the same globally, the market is quiet and traders and farmers are not rushing to buy with urea prices correcting slightly. Prices in the UK have remained the same for imported product and the release of national terms did not inject the interest that was first thought. Demand is still there however, and likely to build as we approach Q3 and 4.
Phosphates
FMB reported this week that discussions at the annual IFA conference in Doha centred on agreement between Indian DAP importers and major sellers, or rather the lack of one. Traders clearly believe in the market, but end user demand has yet to materialise at prices that make these positions workable. India will come to the market and DAP imports may be concentrated in a narrow time frame, which will tighten supply. Thus, the market looks set to remain stable to firm with producers mostly fully committed for June.
Sulphur
The sulphur market remains firm in the UK and stocks remain low.
Potash
The mood described by members of the conference could be cautious at best and pessimistic at worst, with the exception of Brazilian buyers where demand has been strong. Many potash buyers were asking for stability as the economic crisis flaring up again in Europe has brought back all the uncertainties that have troubled the potash market earlier this year. Even though crop prices are profitable, they are volatile and therefore farmers could delay purchasing fertiliser until the last minute.