Fertilizer Runoff Management—Strategies and Practices to Minimise Excess Nutrients in Water Reservoirs

This chapter explores the practical use of compost and liquid organic fertilizers, emphasizing their contribution to soil health, crop productivity, and water quality preservation. It begins with an in-depth review of nutrient dynamics, examining causes of nutrient runoff together with the intricacies of the nutrient cycle, which includes the water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycles. Effective strategies of best management practices (BMPs) for reducing nutrient pollution from agricultural, urban, and residential sources are outlined, offering evidence-based guidance supported by current research and case studies. A review of policy and regulatory frameworks highlights key environmental regulations, national standards, and incentives that promotes sustainable fertilizer use. These insights help readers understand how governance influences fertilizer management and environmental compliance. The chapter also underscores the role of monitoring and assessment in evaluating environmental impacts and shaping policy. It covers water quality monitoring systems, such as Malaysia’s National Water Quality Standards (NWQS) and Water Quality Index (WQI), as well as the responsibilities of the Department of Environment. Predictive models and decision-support tools are presented as essential resources for improving nutrient management strategies. In conclusion, collaborating among researchers, policymakers, environmental managers, and practitioners is emphasized as crucial to developing and applying effective, sustainable nutrient management solutions to address fertilizer runoff.