The effect of the timing of shungite application on the agrochemical properties of sod-podzolic soil and potato yield

Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Center RAS, 185910, Petrozavodsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: val.sidorova@gmail.com

Abstract

The shungite effect on potato growth and yield and on the main agrochemical properties of agro sod-podzolic soil under conditions of small-scale field experiment was studied. Shungite fractions of 0.5 mm and shungite-dolomite mixture in a dosage of 0.5 kg/m² were used. Meliorants were introduced in two periods – first during the autumn digging of the plots and in the spring immediately before planting. It was found that the uniform pre-sowing application of shungite led to an increase in potato yield by 28-48% and contributed to a decrease in the proportion of rotten tubers. A greater effect is manifested from the application of pure shungite compared with shungite-dolomite, as well as from pre-sowing application compared with autumn one. With pre-sowing application, the effect of meliorants begins to manifest only after 1.5-2 months. In case of autumn application of meliorants, by the beginning of the sowing season, an increase in the pH level is observed when applying a shungite-dolomite mixture or an increase in the carbon content when applying pure shungite.