Tomsk scientists have created fertilizers that increase crop yields by a quarter
The creation of mineral fertilizers with “targeted” functions is carried out by specialists from the TPU School of Natural Resources Engineering. They have developed technologies for introducing useful components into the crystal structure of minerals, which makes it possible to obtain composite multicomponent mixtures based on nutrients (nutrients) and glauconite used as an unconventional additive. The study is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The results of the scientists’ work were published in the Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition and Applied Sciences.
According to Maxim Rudmin, Associate Professor of the Department of Geology at TPU, the task of researchers is to activate glauconite in such a way as to maximize its beneficial properties. For this, glauconite is combined with other nutrients – nitrogen substances. As a result, composites are obtained that improve the physical and chemical characteristics of soils and stimulate the growth of agricultural crops.
Non-traditional fertilizers were tested on the fields of “KDV-Agro”. As a result, the yield increased by 27.4 percent, and the quality of wheat improved. This spring, the enterprise plans to use them for growing winter and soft spring wheat and potatoes.
This year, pilot tests will also be carried out in other Russian agricultural complexes. Prototypes of various types of fertilizers based on glauconite and urea have been prepared. Many promising mineral nanocomposites, the so-called “smart fertilizers”, have been obtained, Maxim Rudmin said.
In the course of further research, scientists plan to develop effective ways to combine glauconite with phosphate and nitrogen phosphate substances to obtain fertilizers containing all three essential plant nutrients in accessible quantities. At the same time, it is assumed that the modified fertilizers will have a “targeted” effect and a controlled release rate of nutrients due to the unique features of glauconite.
