Several measures must be taken to reduce the losses resulting from the high cost of fertilizers, which are as follows:-

First, start with a soil test.

• Conducting a recent soil test immediately without using phosphate and potassium fertilizers if the analysis results are in the optimal range or higher. If the soil pH is less than 7 degrees, phosphate and potash fertilizers are added to a degree sufficient for the cultivated crop only, reducing nitrogen fertilizer by one pound of nitrogen compared to the prevailing or recommended rates for each acre.

•  Use the optimal location, source, and timing to maximize nitrogen fertilizer efficiency.
• Focusing on applying organic fertilizers in sufficient quantities for crops that need N, P, and K fertility.
• To reduce nitrogen loss by volatilization, it can be added by injection into the soil or by adding nitrogen fertilizer when the temperature is cool while avoiding its addition in hot weather. Chemical fertilizers are generally one of the most expensive inputs into crop production, and fertilizer costs may be very high this year.
• Here are some options that may help reduce the impact of higher fertilizer costs on your bottom line.

Soil testing of all your fields to see their nutritional status and plant availability. This test, obtained over the past three years, is enough information to work with as long as you follow the recommendations for planted crops since the time of the soil test.

Assume that you are under or over-fertilized compared to recommendations since the last sample. In such circumstances, additional soil sampling may be necessary to assess current nutrient needs accurately.

Take soil samples as soon as possible to get results before planting.

After collecting the soil test levels for phosphate (P) and potassium (K), evaluate each field's range of plant values ​​. For P, the ideal range for grain and forage crops is estimated to be 30–50 ppm, according to Mehlich 3 P. For K, the optimal range for cereal crops is 100–150 ppm Mehlich 3 K; for forage crops, 100–200 ppm or more is the optimal range.

In average years with appropriate fertilizer prices, we typically advocate treating fields with soil test levels in the optimum range with crop removal rates to maintain soil nutrient levels in the optimum range for the future. 

However, within the optimum range of nutrients, the soil already contains sufficient nutrients that enable crops to be grown without any deficiency for at least one year, if not many years. 

Therefore, when fertilizer prices are excessively high, the previously used nutrients need not be supplied if the soil is in the optimum range. Instead, rely on the remaining soil nutrients and replace those discarded later when the fertilizer is cheaper. 

Soil reserves may persist for many years, while soil K stores decline faster, particularly when crops are harvested. If your fertilizer expenditures have stayed within a year and your nutrient levels are near the lowest recommended range, consider testing fresh soil next year to ensure you have stayed below optimal. Adjust your fertilizer technique to the latest results.

If your soil test results for pH, phosphorous, or potassium are below the acceptable range, you may need to add compost and reduce purchases as much as possible. If your money is limited, try to adjust the soil pH first. 

It was found that high soil acidity leads to the fixation of many elements and makes uptake by plants unfavorable. 

Therefore, some crops often show a positive economic response to pH adjustments, which may also enhance the availability of other nutrients.

Analyze the P and K fertilization strategy next. We suggest you adopt a "build and maintain" approach to fertilizers when the soil test is less than optimal in average years. The maintenance component of the advice is to give the crop what to remove each year. 

In turn, the building component is additional nutrients intended to raise the level of soil tests in the optimal range. However, increasing soil testing levels to the optimum range is optional and may be costly in years when fertilizer prices are high. 

Instead, try spoon-feeding the crop simply, which is what it needs to survive this year, and keep the nutrient build-up for next year when prices are lower.

Crop removal levels for P2O5 and K2O can be predicted based on expected crop yield multiplied by the removal rate per unit of crop yield.