Application of a Multi-Component Conditioner as a Sustainable Management Practice for Enhancing Soil Properties and Hordeum vulgare L. Growth and Yield

Jacek Długosz, Karol Kotwica, Ewelina Przybyszewska and Anna Piotrowska-Długosz ()
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Jacek Długosz: Department of Biogeochemistry, Soil Science, Irrigation and Drainage, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bernardyńska 6/8 Street, 85-029 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Karol Kotwica: Department of Agronomy, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, S. Kaliskiego 7 Street, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Ewelina Przybyszewska: NaturalCrop Poland Ltd., KEN Avenue 57/2, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland
Anna Piotrowska-Długosz: Department of Biogeochemistry, Soil Science, Irrigation and Drainage, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, Bernardyńska 6/8 Street, 85-029 Bydgoszcz, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-25

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how a multi-component soil conditioner consisting of zeolite, calcium carbonate, potassium humate, and Ascophyllum nodosum extract affects selected soil properties (physical, chemical, and water-related properties, as well as microbial and enzymatic properties) and the growth and grain yield of spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.). To achieve the goal, one-year research experiments were conducted at three conventionally tilled sites, which were situated on farms across three geographically separate regions in the Kuyavian–Pomeranian Region of Midwestern Poland. Most of the chemical properties, namely, total organic C, total N, pH in KCl, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), as well as exchangeable (Mg, Ca, K, and Na) and available (Mg, K, and P) forms of nutrients, were not significantly affected by the conditioner or sampling time. Independent of the study location, the percentage of macropores in total porosity (TP) and dissolved nitrogen content (DNt) determined in July were considerably greater in the soil treated with Solactiv compared to the reference soil. Bulk density (BD), in turn, showed the opposite tendency, also suggesting the positive effect of the studied conditioner. At all study sites, application of the conditioner significantly reduced the percentage of micropores in total porosity (TP) (by 17%), while significantly increasing the content of macropores in TP (15%) and enhancing the percentage of available and readily available water capacity (8.5% and 14%). No clear changes in the results of C and N form and enzymatic activity were noted. The activities of DHA and FDAH behave differently in each study site, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. The cellulase was the only enzyme that was significantly and positively affected by Solactiv at all study sites and for both sampling times. The values of dry matter of roots and plants, barley root length and surface, and barley grain yield were considerably greater in soil amended with Solactiv compared to the reference soil. Because some important soil and plant properties showed a positive response toward the tested conditioner, despite the low dose used, further studies should be conducted at a larger scale, focusing on different soils and plants.

Keywords: spring barley; organic–mineral conditioner; zeolite; soil physicochemical properties; water properties; soil enzymatic activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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