Influence of zeolite and zeolite-containing fertilizers on the crop capacity and grain quality of winter wheat

The study is dedicated to investigating the effects of zeolite and zeolite-based fertilizers enriched with amino acids and urea on the yield and grain quality of winter wheat. Experimental research was conducted at the P.A. Stolypin Ulyanovsk State Agricultural University. Field trials involved seven variants of soil treatment: a control plot, application of zeolite at doses of 250 kg/ha and 500 kg/ha, usage of zeolite enriched with amino acids at the same two concentrations, and analogous application of zeolite supplemented with urea. The soil of the experimental site represents a typical medium-powerful medium-loamy chernozem. Trials were carried out on crops of the “Saratovskaya 17” winter wheat variety. It was found that winter wheat yields increased by 0.22 and 0.88 t/ha on average over three years with the application of zeolite as a soil fertilizer (4.26 t/ha in the control option). The application of zeolite enriched with amino acids at doses of 250 and 500 t/ha secured the largest increase in the grain yield, 0.72 and 0.88 t/ha. It was also observed that this option improved grain quality and its environmental safety.