PRACTICAL RESULTS OF THE USE OF IMPROVED ORGANO-MINERAL MIXTURE FOR RECLAMATION OF DEGRADED AND WAR-DAMAGED LANDS

Timur Volodymyrovych Levda
Patent UA №122904

Annotation

The article presents the results of field application of an organo-mineral mixture with sapropel, leonardite, bottom silt, peat, trepelle, glauconite and natural minerals. The tests were conducted on degraded and war-affected lands. The mixture demonstrated a significant improvement in the physico-chemical and biological properties of the soil.

Materials and methods

The organic part included bottom silt of freshwater reservoirs, vegetable crop cake and peat for pH regulation. The mineral part was tripe (diatomite). The mixture was prepared according to the formula from the UA patent No. 122904 with subsequent application to the experimental plots.

Test results 1 (season 2021)

Possible improvements were identified and refinements were made to increase usefulness.

Test #2

The organic part began to include leonardite, and for pH adjustment – peat. Mineral part: bentonite, diatomite, which was added for loosening during granulation. The mixture was made according to the formula from the UA patent No. 122904 with appropriate clarification and subsequent introduction to the experimental plots.

Test results 2 (season 2022)

Possible improvements were identified and refinements were made to increase usefulness.

Test #3

Organic part – leonardite. Mineral part: glauconite and trefoil for loosening during granulation. The mixture was produced according to the formula from patent UA№122904 with additional clarification, subsequent application to experimental areas, including demined and previously located in combat zones.

Test results 3 (season 2023)

Discussion

The use of sapropel, leonardite and bottom sediments of freshwater reservoirs in the mixture allows to ensure the presence of fulvic acids and humic structures, which are key for the restoration of soil microbiocenoses. At the same time, leonardite, due to the high content of humic substances, enhances the effect of sapropel in cases where the latter is unavailable. The use of diatomite, bentonite and glauconite performs the sorbent function of the soil and acts as a building material for microorganisms and the plants themselves. In addition, diatomite is a good natural loosening agent when granulating organic fertilizers. However, glauconite acted as a greater sorbent and building material for microorganisms. Glauconite additionally provided useful application on irrigated lands, softening water for irrigation. This in its entirety led to the improvement of the formulation of patent UA No. 122904.

Conclusions

1. A successful combination of organic and mineral components in the mixture is a source of organic activity and humus structures aimed at restoring and enhancing soil fertility.

2. The mixture can serve as the basis for mass land reclamation after the irrational use of synthetic agrochemicals and war-affected areas in the conflict zone.

3. It is recommended for large-scale implementation within the framework of post-war environmental policy.

Prospects

• Creation of mobile complexes for mixing and applying the mixture at locations.
• Scaling to irrigated areas of Southern Ukraine.
• Development of specialized modifications of the mixture for forest, pasture and urban areas.

List of used literature

1. Patent UA No. 122904. Mixture for restoring and increasing soil fertility.

2. Poltoratsky V.L. (2015). Ecotechnologies in soil protection. Kyiv: Urozhay.

3. Rengel Z. (2011). Soil Nutrient Bioavailability. Springer.

4. Zhukov O.A., Pavlyuk V.I. (2020). Reclamation of degraded soils. Kharkiv: AgroOsvita.