Russia patents a highly effective method of increasing soybean yields

Scientists at Belgorod State University teamed up with an industrial partner — the company "Stroitel", and have patented a highly effective way to increase the yield of soybeans. A new technological solution developed within the framework of the top-notch research center "Innovative Solutions in the Agro-Industrial Complex" will help farmers increase their harvest by about a quarter, the press service of the university reported on Tuesday. A complete technological cycle has been formed - from production to the introduction of granular organic-mineral fertilizers into the soil based on chicken manure modified with citrogypsum. Ivan Nikulin, PhD in Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Director of the Engineering Center at Belgorod State University, explained that poultry droppings in terms of the content of nutrients and the concentration of microelements are several times higher than that of agricultural livestock, therefore, such fertilizer should be applied less. He recalled that pure chicken manure is a chemically aggressive substance that can adversely affect the regeneration of the fertile layer. Therefore, to use it as a top dressing, preliminary processing and modification are required. "In order to solve this problem, we have developed a granular organomineral fertilizer, which is obtained by mixing chicken droppings of cell content and a mineral component in the form of citrogypsum in a ratio of 2:1 by weight and additional processing using a special technology," the press service quoted Nikulin as saying. The effectiveness of the technology has been proven experimentally — on the experimental fertilized site, the yield of soybeans was 21.33 c / ha, and on the control one — less than 18 c / ha. According to preliminary calculations, the use of granular organic mineral fertilizers provides an increase in yield by an average of 23-27%. The researchers also note additional economic and social effects from the introduction of eco-friendly technology — the use of organomineral fertilizer of chicken manure and citrogypsum as a feedstock solves the problem of recycling waste from poultry farms and citric acid production plants. Read more