Efficiency of zeolite as maize fertilizer of Middle Volga chernozem

Abstract

The paper presents the results of field and laboratory experiments in studying the effectiveness of zeolite of the Yushanskoye deposit based in the Ulyanovsk region being a fertilizer of maize on grain when applied both in pure form and in combination with mineral fertilizers. A positive effect of zeolite on the agrophysical, biological and agrochemical properties of medium-loamy leached chernozem and, as a result, yield and environmental safety of maize grain has been established. Its increase ranged from 0.93 t/ha (500 kg/ha of zeolite) to 2.43 and made up to 2.76 t/ha when used together with mineral fertilizers. when applying 500 kg/ha zeolite to the soil together with nitrogen fertilizer (urea) at the rate of 60 kg per hectare for 3 years on average the maize grain yield exceeded the option with mineral fertilizers (N60H60R60) by 0.27 t/ha. Zeolite contributed to more environmentally friendly products.