RB209
RB209, or the Nutrient Management Guide, is a guide that provides best practices for applying fertilizers and organic materials to crops and grassland in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It’s published by the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board)
Go to AHDB Website and download resources
RB209 Video Playlist
🌱 Using the AHDB Nutrient Management Guide in the real world
🎯 What you should be able to do
- 📘 Find the correct RB209 section for your crop
- 🧪 Read soil test results and understand indices
- 🧮 Estimate crop nutrient requirements
- 📝 Justify fertiliser decisions using RB209 tables
🔎 Step 1: Gather your evidence
📁 Step 2: Find the right RB209 section
📁 Step 2: Find the right RB209 section
📂 RB209 Sections & Downloads (click to expand)
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📘 Section 1 – Principles of nutrient management
View section & download PDF -
♻️ Section 2 – Organic materials
View section & download PDF -
🌱 Section 3 – Grass and forage crops
View section & download PDF -
🌾 Section 4 – Arable crops
View section & download PDF -
🥔 Section 5 – Potatoes
View section & download PDF -
🥕 Section 6 – Vegetables and bulbs
View section & download PDF -
🍎 Section 7 – Fruit, vines and hops
View section & download PDF
Tip: Always open the section that matches the current crop, not last year’s rotation.
👉 Always use the section that matches your current crop, not last year’s.
🧪 Step 3: Soil Indices – what do they tell you?
- 📉 Index 0–1: likely to need fertiliser
- ⚖️ Index 2: maintenance level
- 📈 Index 3+: usually no fertiliser needed
Quick quiz: A field has P index 3. Should you apply phosphate?
🧮 Step 4: Simple nutrient planning tool
📝 Step 5: Write the farm nutrient note
Every plan should answer three questions:
- What nutrients are being applied?
- Why are they needed?
- Where does RB209 support this decision?