Use of Pyrophyllite as Soil Conditioner in Lettuce Production
2020
Senad Murtic, Cerima Zahirovic, Lutvija Karic, Josip Jurkovic, Hamdija Civic and Emina Sijahovic
In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the possibility of the use of aluminosilicate minerals in order to maintain and improve soil productivity. The unique ion-exchange and adsorption properties of pyrophyllite minerals indicate the possibility of its application in agriculture as soil conditioner. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the application of pyrophyllite could reduce the use of mineral fertilizers in lettuce production without adverse effects on its yield and quality. The experiment was carried out from November 2018 to April 2019 inside a polyethylene covered greenhouse in Gornji Moranjci, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The following quality parameters were analysed using standard methods: ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity and content of potentially toxic heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Mn) in lettuce. The results of this study showed that the substitution of fertilizers with pyrophyllite in amount of 25% and 50% of recommended fertilizer rate under experimental conditions increase lettuce yield and total antioxidant capacity compared to the control treatment, i.e. 100% recommended fertilizer rate. The results of this study also support the hypothesis that pyrophyllite could be used as remediation material in polluted soils by heavy metals. However, further investigation is necessary to confirm these hypotheses across different soil ecosystems.
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