The Agrochemical Properties of Organic-Iron Sapropels and Their Effect on Oats Seedlings Growth
It has been shown that some species of sapropel containing ferrous iron may be acidified with aeration in a humid environment and require pH control for use as a fertilizer. Parallel agrochemical analysis of organic-iron sapropel and a pot experiment with the sapropel application have shown that sapropel acidified the substrate and reduced green mass yield of oats. Still, this sapropel represents a valuable agromineral raw material for the composts, soils and soil mixtures production. It contains significant amount of organic matter, available nitrogen and a complex of physiologically active substances that activate the transformation of potassium from unavailable into its soluble form. If a sapropel contains ferrous iron it should be limed according to its hydrolytic acidity.