Resumen

SOCA, Miguel  y  DAZA-TORRES, M. Constanza. Evaluation of particle size fractions and doses of zealot for agriculture. Agrociencia [online]. 2016, vol.50, n.8, pp.965-976. ISSN 2521-9766.

The use of natural zeolite in agriculture has grown in the past 20 years, and it is neccessary to follow up on the soils on which it it applied to know its residual effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of five zoelite particle and dose sizes in the chemical properties of soils, N volatilization and foliar nutrient contents. Between the years 2010 to 2012, four experiments were carried out in 1.6 kg pots with a completely randomized design, five particle sizes (< 0.25, 0.25-0.50, 0.50-1.00, 1.00.-2.00, and 2.00-3.00 mm), and zeolite doses (0.00, 1.88, 4.74, 6.88 and 9.38 g kg-1 of soil) and four replications. As an indicator plant, we used Rhodes grass (Chlorys gallane c.v Pioner). The soils evaluated were prepresentative of Cuba, allitic (Ultisol), pardos grisáceo and with carbonates (Inceptisoles), and humic siallitic (Molisol). The particle sizes of 1.00 to 3.00 mm inmproved the chemical conditions of the soils, and reduced N volatilization up to 57 %. Particles below 1 mm increased Na+ and K+ retention, which could improve soil despersal. The greatest doses of zeolite in the pardo grisáceo, pardo con carbonatos y humic siallitic soils increased the content of exchangeable bases in the soil, the dry mass yield, and the concentration of foliar nutrients. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the allitic soil for these agronomical variables.

Palabras llave : Zeolite group; Rhodes grass; soil remediación; amonio.