Use of zeolites for recultivation of sandy soils in horticulture
2004
Uher, A.,Slovenska polnohospodarska univ. v Nitre (Slovak Republic) | Balogh, Z.
Zeolites have a positive effect on soil fertility, sorption properties of soil and subsequently the formation of phytomass. Acting as slowly soluble fertilizers, they improve water balance and sorption characteristics of light sandy soils in particular, which is reflected in higher yield and better quality. The aim of a pot trial conducted over 2000-2002 was to use the ability of zeolites to bind water and nutrients in their crystalline structure and thus to influence positively soil fertility, improve soil structure and increase the yield in growing sweet pepper (Slovakia variety). Substratum in pots consisted of sand with zeolite additions of 0.5%, 1%, 3% and 5% and full fertilization (NPK) for sweet pepper. The experiment involved 5 treatments, the control included (pure sand). Three pots, each with 2 plants, and four replications were used in one treatment. The first year the average yield of sweet pepper of 29.78 tons per hectare was produced, the second year 36.02 tons and the third year even 55.93 tons. An increasing amount of zeolite rose significantly a crop of sweet pepper in comparison with the control. The following conclusions were drawn from a 3-year pot experiment on sweet pepper: 1) zeolite additions of 0.5% and 5% resulted in a significant increase in the sweet pepper yield compared to the control treatment where no zeolite was applied; 2) after zeolite application, there were significant differences in the yield of sweet pepper fruits between the first year and the following two years; 3) since the zeolite acted as a slowly soluble fertilizer in the soil, the sweet pepper harvest was higher in the second and third years after zeolite application.
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