APPLICATION: ZEOLITE IN CROP
Zeolite cat litter
Zeolite is a unique natural mineral that promotes plant growth, increases the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and the ability to retain water, giving it to plant roots as needed.
Zeolite also absorbs toxic and harmful substances from the soil and prolongs the effect of fertilizers – saving you money and increasing yields.
Zeolite is of particular interest to organic farming companies . The application of zeolite fertilizers to the fields is an environmentally friendly crop production method.
The main advantages of OMK are an increase in the yield of agricultural crops, an improvement in the structure of soils, a decrease in their acidity, while simultaneously reducing the amount of traditional mineral fertilizers used to 90%, which makes it possible to obtain environmentally friendly products. The efficiency of OMK as a fertilizer has been confirmed, among other things, by the Institute of Agroindustrial Production of the UAAS (V. Bakta). OMK have high biological activity due to the presence of humic and fulvic acids, which significantly increases the supply of nutrients to the plant, activates soil microflora, synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates, chlorophyll and vitamins, increases plant resistance to the effects of increased doses of pesticides, activates plant growth and fruit formation.
High selectivity for ammonium ions (160 – 200 meq per 100 g of composition) contributes to the fact that the content of nitrites and nitrates in plant biomass decreases. It is permissible to introduce OMK together with herbicides.
Due to the adsorption of gaseous and water-soluble nitrogen compounds, their utilization rate increases by 20-25%.
At the same time, when introducing zeolite in sandy loam soils, the content of exchangeable potassium increases by 20-45%.
Goals and objectives of using zeolite in crop production
Improving soil properties
improving soil structure, soil aeration, water accumulation, soil deoxidation, increasing soil biological activity.
Providing plants with the necessary microelements
providing silicon and calcium, prolonging the effect of fertilizers, increasing the assimilation of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.
Increasing crop yields
increasing seed germination, ensuring healthy growth and development, accelerating ripening.
Obtaining environmentally friendly and safe food:
sorption of heavy metals, sorption of radionuclides.
Saving fertilizers:
reducing the amount of potash and phosphate fertilizers.
The mechanism of action of natural zeolite on plants
Zeolite improves the availability of soil nutrients and applied fertilizers, serves as a prolonger of the effect of fertilizers and is itself a source of micro and macro elements.
The crystalline part of the zeolite is a framework aluminosilicate, inside the framework there are metal cations – which balance the charge of the framework. This can be simplified by the formula: Na + (AlSiO 4) -. Along with sodium Na +, the cavities can contain calcium ions Ca 2+, potassium K +, magnesium Mg 2+, etc. These ions can be replaced by other cations, for example, ammonium ions NH 4+ – this is an ion exchange reaction. By absorbing nitrogen in the ammonium form, the zeolite stores it for the plant and prevents its oxidation – nitrification. Thus, due to ion-exchange properties, the plant nutrition for potassium K and nitrogen N improves.
The rock contains amorphous silica – this is silicon oxide -SiO 2 – in a free non-crystalline form, thanks to which silicon enters the plant organism. In addition, it has been proven that in the presence of silicic acid SiO 2 * H 2 O (or H 2 SiO 3), the solubility of phosphates increases – this contributes to the assimilation of phosphorus -P.
The rock contains oxides and salts of alkali and alkaline earth metals, in particular, calcium carbonate. Due to this, soil deoxidation occurs.
Recommended fractions, rates and methods of application
Sedimentary type
0-0.8mm, 0-1.25mm, 0.2-1.25mm, 0.2-0.8mm, 0.8-2.5mm, 1.25-2, 5mm, 2.5-5mm, 5-10mm
Volcanic type
0-1mm; 0.5-1 mm, 1-3 mm; 3-5, 5-10 mm
Field application rates
Application rate: from 0.5 t / ha to 3 t / ha when applied together with fertilizers. From 2 to 15 t / ha when applied without fertilization.
Application methods
It is recommended to apply zeolite with a seeder during sowing with or without fertilizers to the depth of sowing seeds. With similar values of the size of granules and seeds, it is allowed to mix the zeolite with seeds and other mineral fertilizers. Zeolite must be applied from a separate working hopper if the seed mixture will stratify from shaking. Zeolite can be applied by spraying or spreading, followed by incorporation into the soil.
Benefits
01
Retains moisture
02
Prolongs the action of fertilizers
03
Collects ammonium nitrogen and potassium
04
Balances the PH level of the soil
05
Source of trace elements
06
Prevents plant root disease
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