Technological, agronomical and economic efficiency of new organic and organo-mineral soil amendments

Abstract

The intensification of crop production coupled with current declining soil fertility needs proper plant nutrition management and improved effectiveness of fertilizer use. Sustainable practices providing new soil amendments could be a useful tool to improve soil fertility and crop productivity causing economic benefits. The technology of processing local raw materials (leonardite, bentonite, and molasses) was developed to produce new soil amendments with optimal physical and chemical properties and to meet the needs of a particular crop in the nutrients. The best ratio of components was proved in a model experiment with an estimation of the full cost of final organic and organo-mineral soil amendments. In a field experiment, the effect of new soil amendments on available nutrients in Chernozem Podzolic and corn yield was studied. Two doses and methods of application (banding and broadcasting) of new soil amendments were compared taking into account its economic efficiency. Development of technologies to improve fertilizing properties of local organic materials, compliance to recommended doses, and methods of soil inputs application could increase the efficiency of crop production emerging environmental and economic benefits.