Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) · 2016 · 11 citations · 0 references
AgricultureAgronomySoil SciencesCrop ProductionSoil FertilitySoil ScienceCropping System SustainabilityNutrient Use EfficiencySoil Fertility EvaluationSoil Fertility MaintenanceSoil Fertility ManagementWaste UtilizationAgricultural Waste MaterialsCultivation EfficiencyFertilizationNitrogen Efficiency TraitsNitrogen Utilization EfficiencyResource-efficient AgricultureSoil Resource ManagementZeolite Minerals
In this preliminary work we investigated the possibility to improve corn cultivation efficiency and sustainability through the use of a quarry waste material rich in zeolite minerals as soil conditioner. Corn grown under traditional fertilization was compared to corn grown on zeolitite amended soil, under fertilization reductions. Corn plants grown on zeolitite treatments showed higher chlorophyll content, a more balanced nitrogen use efficiency and a higher yield compared to control.