42 © 2017 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. SPATIAL APPRAISAL OF PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF FERTILIZER USE FOR AGRICULTURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT IN MBIERI, MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IMO STATE NIGERIA Chikwendu, L. 1+ Jenkwe, E. D. 2 Eleazu, E. I. 3 Ogbonna, C. G. 4 1 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 2 Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria. 3,4 Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Nigeria. (+ Corresponding author) ABSTRACT Article History Received: 2 May 2017 Revised: 5 June 2017 Accepted: 19 July 2017 Published: 8 August 2017 Keywords Fertilizer NPK Farmers Soil fertility Pollution of ecosystem Eutrophication Environment Mbieri. This study appraises the spatial problems and prospects of fertilizer use in agriculture on the Environment in Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. Structured questionnaires were sampled in each villages randomly selected from the seven autonomous communities of Amaike-Mbieri, Awo Mbieri, Ezi-Mbieri, Ihitte Isi- Mbieri, Obazu Mbieri, Obi-Mbieri and Umueze-Mbieri for collection of data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools of tables, charts and graphs. The outcome showed that 71.2% of the farmers do not have University Education. All the kinds of fertilizer in use in the study area contain Nitrogen with NPK 20-10-10 the most sought-after. Findings show that 54% of the farmers prefer the application of fertilizer NPK for replenishing lost soil nutrients while, 60% of the Farmers in the study area use surface broadcast method in application of fertilizer NPK on their farms. However, it was observed from this research that majority of this nitrogen compounds are washed down through surface runoffs causing pollution and eutrophication of the Ecosystems and water bodies. Government should set up research centre for Fertilizer use in Agriculture where farmers can be equipped with adequate knowledge of the best way to use fertilizer NPK while sustaining the environment Contribution/Originality: This study contributes in the existing literature on the improper use of fertilizer. The study uses new estimation methodology of sampling questionnaire to villages observed to be most involved in Agriculture. This originates new formula that there is unbalanced use of fertilizer for agriculture. 1. INTRODUCTION In Nigeria agriculture is the main source of livelihood. As in most other developing countries it is dominated by small-scale farm producers [1]. Throughout history, people have constantly been trying to find more efficient ways to provide food resources to match the demand of their increasing numbers. One major difficulty facing agriculture in Nigeria today is that the fertility of most soils is generally low and the problem is how to improve soil fertility and increase food production [2]. It is largely through the use of inputs such as soil amendments in the form of mineral fertilizer or organic manure that soil productivity can be improved [3]. Greater use of fertilizer has increased the global per capita food supply, reducing hunger, improving nutrition (and thus the ability of people to better reach their mental and physical potential) and sparing some natural ecosystems from conversion to agriculture [4]. Agricultural practices can reduce the ability of ecosystems to provide goods and services. For Review of Environment and Earth Sciences 2017 Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 42-50 ISSN(e): 2313-8440 ISSN(p): 2409-2150 DOI: 10.18488/journal.80.2017.42.42.50 © 2017 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.