Influence of the EM-A preparation on the structure properties in various mineral soils

Abstract

The aim of the study was the assessment of the influence of EM-A preparation on the properties of soil structure of medium and fine texture. Soil material for the incubation experiment was collected from humus arable horizons of four mineral soils: Gleyic Chernozem (soils A, B and D) and Haplic Fluvisol (soil C). The experiment was conducted in containers of 2000 cm3, where soil material of about 3 kg was placed and three doses of EM-A were added. After a 12-month incubation, aggregates of 1 cm3 were cut out. Their basic physical properties (density, porosity) were determined, as well as the parameters which characterize the structure: dynamic and static water resistance, secondary aggregation after dynamic and static water resistance and capillary water capacity. The effect of additions of EM-A was not significant for majority of analyzed soil properties.

Keywords

• EM-A preparation
• secondary aggregation
• minimal and maximal water capacity