Humic Soil Modifiers from Peat and Coal: Effect on Chemical and Biological Properties of Model Soil Mixtures

Abstract

The impact of soil modifiers of humic nature (HN) based on peat and coal (Torfogel and Uglegel products) on the chemical properties, cellulolytic activity, and productivity of model soil mixtures (artificial soils) in a pot experiment was evaluated. The sod-podzolic cultivated soil of Moscow oblast was used as a reference soil for comparison. It is shown that an increase in the proportion of both products from 3 to 15% in the composition of soil mixtures improved their main agrochemical indicators: the content of NPK and humus reached the category of high, comparable, and exceeding the ones for reference soil. Significant differences began to show up at 5% content of Uglegel and 7% content of Torfogel. Soil treatment with humic soil modifiers stimulated the biological activity of soil mixtures as well as the growth and development of plants. These trends were expressed much more clearly when the soil was treated with Uglegel compared to Torfogel, which is explained by the genesis and properties of organic matter of biopolymers. The results of the study can be used to create sustainable and productive artificial soils.