RECYCLING OF MINERAL SERPENTINITE WASTE FROM MINING INDUSTRY AND ITS USE IN AGRICULTURE TO IMPROVE SOIL AGROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The influence of processing the serpentinite quarry from the Caucasian mountains at the foot of the Mount Elbrus crushed waste on soil agrochemical properties, phytotoxicity of spring barley, influence on barley plant biomass and its chemical composition were investigated. Ground and granular serpentinite had a different effect on soil and plants. Application of serpentinite fertilizers significantly increased the content of calcium, iron, 227.95-376.75 and 5.05-9.62 mg kg-1, total and plant-derived magnesium 0.34-0.52 and 1.19-2.16 mg kg-1, lead and nickel, while the amount of copper dropped substantially; the soil was becoming more alkaline. Application of ground serpentinite lead to alkalizing of the soil much more compared to the granular, with a significant increase in plant-derived magnesium. The influence of serpentinite increased the yield of spring barley plants in green and dry mass by 0.049-0.256 and 0.011-0.046 g or 0.65-3.41 and 1.19-2.59% out of the growing vessel, and dry matter increased by 0.12-0.26 % units, the yield of spring barley green and dry mass under the influence of ground serpentinite was higher than of granular serpentinite fertilizer, and the dry matter was found to be significantly higher than that of unfertilized spring barley plants. Ground and granular serpentinite was not phytotoxic to spring barley. An application of ground serpentinite increased an amount of calcium, potassium and magnesium in the barley dry matter compared to the granular serpentinite. Ground and granular serpentinite reduced the amount of trace elements copper and manganese in the dry mass of the plant, and the amount of zinc decreased only after fertilization with granular serpentinite. An application of serpentinite significantly decreased content of lead, chrome and cadmium while nickel content significantly increased in the dry matter of barley plants.

Case studies for precision agriculture

The results of spatial variability of plant-available soil nutrients (P, K, Mg) and soil pH are described in this paper. Experiment was realized on the field of area 72 ha (orthic luvisol), located in the area of Český Brod. The use of coefficient of variation as a criterion of variability of soil agrochemical properties and yield on the field showed the following: the highest variability was observed in available P, the second highest variability was in available K, and the lowest variability of main non-mobile nutrients was in the available Mg. Soil pH was the lowest of all measured soil properties. Although the highest correlation coefficient between the soil available P content and soil pH was established, the process of spatial dependence was not detected. Detailed field scouting and others data can be important elements, as can complex decision rules, taking into account additional factors such as the characteristics of crop protection agents and preferences of the farm manager. This paper illustrates, how to plant nutritions, crop protection, crop production might be integrated to support these diseases and weeds management decisions.