Belgrade: The Balkans Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
Abstract
Soil fertility is a combination of mineral and biological properties of
soil and the circulation of plant nutrients in the soil-plant system is constantly
happening within it. In order for the root system to develop and function normally,
it is necessary that there is enough oxygen in the soil. Only well-drained soils
provide enough oxygen and good activity of microorganisms. Since most of the
operations, from sowing to harvest, are performed with the help of heavy
mechanization, soil compaction occurs and its structure deteriorates. Within
compacted soil, there is a weaker development of the root system, weaker
microbiological activity, slowing down the absorption of water and nutrients,
thus slowing down the growth of plants. Growing plants on such soils result in
reduced yields and increased production costs. The aim of this study was to
determine the impact of manure and mineral fertilizers on soil compaction and
maize yield. The experiment was performed on the territory of the municipality of
Leskovac on smonica soil type. The experiment included four variants of
fertilization with organic and mineral fertilizers. Compaction was measured after
sowing and after maize harvest, by penetrologger Eijkelkamp hardware version
6.0, software version 6.03. The application of manure in combination with
mineral fertilizers significantly reduced soil compaction. The greatest
compaction was recorded at a depth of 40-50 cm, after which it stagnated and
slightly decreased to a depth of 80 cm. The average compaction measured after
harvest was 24.10% higher than that measured after sowing. The soil moisture
content was higher on plots with manure and mineral fertilizers than on nonfertilized
plots. Maize yield was significantly higher in variants where manure was used together with mineral fertilizers compared to variants with the only use
of mineral fertilizers and variants without fertilizers. Variants with the lowest soil
compaction achieved the highest yields. The recommendation to maize producers
is to apply more organic matter on heavy and compacted soils, primarily manure,
but also mineral fertilizers, in order to have high and stable yields