Effect of bentonite on the fertility of an ordinary chernozem.

摘要

The effect of bentonite clay on the main fertility parameters of an ordinary chernozem has been revealed. The maximum contents of nutrients in the soil have been obtained after the application of bentonite at rates of 7.5 t/ha for nitrate nitrogen and mobile potassium and 10.0 t/ha for available phosphorus. At the application of bentonite at rates of 10.0-15.0 t/ha, the content of agronomically valuable soil aggregates resistant to mechanical impact has increased by 2.7%, while that of water-stable aggregates has increased by 6.8%. The portion of water-stable microaggregates has increased, which has decreased the degree of dispersion. Because of the increased content of fine-silt and clay particles, the portion of physical clay in the soil has increased by 3.13%, and the portion of physical sand has decreased. The optimum application rate of bentonite (7.5 t/ha) has been found, which ensures an increase in the yield of sorghum by 16.3%. Its effect was insignificantly lower than that of mineral fertilizers.Notes Translated from Pochvovedenie (2014) 5, 597-601 (Ru).