Tag Archives: organic fertilizer

1328-1337 L. Zarina, S. Cerina and L. Proskina
Effect of sapropel fertilizer on the quality of the yield of some field crops
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Effect of sapropel fertilizer on the quality of the yield of some field crops

L. Zarina¹²*, S. Cerina¹ and L. Proskina³

¹Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Crop Management Department,
Zinatnes 2, LV-4126 Priekuli, Latvia
²Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Liela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
³Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Liela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: livija.zarina@arei.lv

Abstract:

Sapropel is specific water body sediments containing a high level of organic matter formed from remains of water biota mixed with mineral components. One of the most promising utilisation ways of sapropel is agriculture where it can be used as soil amendment to improve soil physical properties and thus obtain economically viable and high quality yield of field crops. For three years the experiments were conducted at Priekuli Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics. Dehydrated sapropel mass from Lake Bizas was studied as soil biological fertilizer to determine its suitability for use in field crop production. Researches were carried out in organic crop rotation, in the fields of potato, winter rye and field bean. Three different doses of sapropel fertilizer were applied. During the three-year period (2020–2022), the yield indicators of the plant species included in the study were evaluated, and the quality of the yield of these species was assessed. The results of research confirm the positive effect of sapropel on yield quality indicators – protein (field beans), starch (potatoes) falling number and 1,000 seed mass (winter rye).

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850–861 K. Stankevica, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins
Role of humic substances in agriculture and variability of their content in freshwater lake sapropel
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Role of humic substances in agriculture and variability of their content in freshwater lake sapropel

K. Stankevica*, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Jelgavas street 1, LV-1004, Riga
*Correspondence: karina.stankevica@lu.lv

Abstract:

The term ‘humic substances’ (HS) refers to a general category of naturally occurring, biogenic, heterogeneous organic substances. They create the most widespread natural organic matter found in sediments, soils and waters. Organic carbon in soil (up to 70%) and peat (up to 90%) usually occurs in the form of HS. HS influence the formation process of fossil fuels, as well as they are involved in the plant nutrition process, have an influence on availability and toxicity of metallic and other elements. Furthermore, HS play a significant role in the global carbon geochemical cycle. Properties and application efficiency of humus depend on the source of HS. Freshwater sapropel is a huge reservoir of HS with superior biological activity, although their total content is lower than in peat. The aim of this paper, firstly, was to present the information about the options of HS in agriculture and their main effects on plant growth. Secondly, determination and characterization of HS content in freshwater lake sapropel was performed as sapropel nowadays becomes a popular natural organic-mineral fertilizer and soil conditioner. Sapropel samples were derived from Lake Pilvelis, Lake Pilcines, Lake Vevers, Lake Liducis and Lake Padelis situated in Eastern Latvia. Investigation of HS content in sapropel is significant for the Baltic States and Northern Europe due to wide distribution and availability of sapropel in freshwater bodies. That promotes a search for new ways of extraction methods and bioeconomically effective utilization of this natural resource, obtainable in economically significant amounts, with high opportunities of its use especially in agriculture. Contemporary agriculture strongly desiderates in new products of high effectivity enhancing soil and crop productivity and quality hand in hand with sustainable development and careful attitude to the nature and surrounding environment, thus, one of the ways how it can be achieved is understanding how, where and how much HS preparations can be applied.

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929–947 K. Stankevica, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins
Freshwater sapropel (gyttja): its description, properties and opportunities of use in contemporary agriculture
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Freshwater sapropel (gyttja): its description, properties and opportunities of use in contemporary agriculture

K. Stankevica, Z. Vincevica-Gaile and M. Klavins*

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Jelgavas street 1, LV-1004, Riga
*Correspondence: maris.klavins@lu.lv

Abstract:

 Sapropel (gyttja or dy) is a type of fine-grained and loose sediments, rich in organic matter, deposited in freshwater bodies. Properties of sapropel and quite wide possibilities of extraction makes it as an important natural resource that can be used predominantly in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, farming. Sapropel and its processing products are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, with a definite content of nutrients. The aim of the current paper was to gather the available information about the sapropel properties and its application in agriculture as soil fertilizer or soil amendment, indicating the efficiency and possible ways amounts of application. Another reason why the investigation of sapropel is important in the Baltic States and northern Europe is its wide distribution and availability in freshwater bodies that leads to find out new ways of extraction and bioeconomically-effective utilization of this highly valuable natural resource, obtainable in economically significant amounts, with high opportunities of its use in agriculture. Contemporary agriculture strongly desiderates in new products of high effectivity enhancing soil and crop productivity and quality hand in hand with sustainable development and careful attitude to the nature and surrounding environment.

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224-232 L. Česoniene and V. Rutkoviene
Lysimetric research of nutrient losses from organic fertilizers
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Lysimetric research of nutrient losses from organic fertilizers

L. Česoniene¹ and V. Rutkoviene²

¹Institute of Environment, Lithuanian University of Agriculture. Studentų 11, LT-53356,Kaunas-Akademija, tel./fax. +370 37 752 202; e-mail: laima.cesoniene@lzuu.lt.
²Institute of Environment, Lithuanian University of Agriculture. Studentų 11, LT-53356,Kaunas-Akademija, Kaunas district. Lithuania, tel./fax. +370 37 752 202;e-mail: vida.rutkoviene@lzuu.lt

Abstract:

In organic agricultural production high quality and safe agricultural products and foodstuffs are produced. It is believed that organic fertilizers are slower to wash out into water, because their mineralization is slow and hence water contamination with nitrogen compounds is smaller. The aim of this research is to assess the migration of nitrogen compounds in the soil-water system after application of organic fertilizers. The investigations were performed in an established site of eight lysimeters. They are filled with monoliths of equal soil. In July, plants growing in the lysimeters were fertilized with the following organic fertilizers: Biokalis, Biojodis, Provita, Horn Shavings, Horn Core Powder and different amounts of slurry. No fertilizers were used in lysimeter No. 8. Water quality parameters NO+2¯, NO3¯ and NH4 valueswere determined. Results show the influence of different organic fertilizers on the dynamics of nutrients in soil- water systems.

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