Stimulation of soil microbiological activity by clinoptilolite: The effect on plant growth

• Main Authors: Karličić Vera, Živanović Iva, Matijašević Danka, Raičević Vera, Nikšić Miomir, Rac Vladislav, Simić Aleksandar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of field and vegetable crops, Novi Sad 2017-01-01
• Series: Ratarstvo i Povrtarstvo
• Subjects: clinoptilolite; microbiological activity; red clover; soils; zeolites
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1821-3944/2017/1821-39441703117K.pdf
• ISSN: 1821-3944; 2217-8392

Zeolites can mitigate ammonium losses to the environment by taking up the ions from sources such as farmyard manure and ammonium-bearing fertilizers. This ability can improve nitrogen fertilizing practice given that ammonium ions loaded onto zeolite are available for plant uptake. The main goal of this study was to assess the influence of zeolite (clinoptilolite) and ammonia-loaded clinoptilolite on growth and yield of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), as well as their influence on the microbial dynamics in soil. Plants sown in pots were cut four times, and dry matter yield (DM) of each harvest was weighed. The number of culturable bacteria, moulds, ammonifiers, Azotobacter sp. and actinomycetes was determined at the beginning of the experiment, and after each harvest. Two control treatments (soil without fertilizer and soil supplemented with mineral fertilizer - CAN) were included in the study. The application of ammonia-loaded clinoptilolite positively and significantly affected the microbial activity and provided higher yields (from 4.9 g/pot in ammonia-loaded clinoptilolite treatment to 4.3 g/pot in soil with zeolite treatment). Our results suggest that the addition of clinoptilolite to organic fertilizers (manure, composts) could be recommended. The increase of microbial communities’ abundances and their activity represented the key benefit from clinoptilolite application.