Dynamics of the cobalt content in the soils of the benchmark sites of the Lipetsk region

Abstract

A study on cobalt content in soils and plants was carried out in 7 regions of 14 agricultural enterprises in Lipetsk region. The results of the study on the tilth top soil conducted according to Peive and Rinkis method showed an average cobalt content. However, during the study period (1995-2003, 2011-2013) the cobalt content gradually decreased. These changes also depended on the geographical location (northern or southern region). In 1995, the availability of cobalt in the northern region was 1.7mg/kg, in the southern region - 1.31. Different values of the cobalt content were found on different sites. In "Voshod” this indicator was 1.9 mg/kg, "Druzhba” (southern region) - 0.91, "Zarya” - 2.6mg/kg, "im. Kalinina” - 1.1 (northern region). The results of the study on the cobalt content in the soils (2005-2010) in ammonium acetate buffer solutions (pH 4.8) showed that the cobalt content remained at the same level on all the sites (0.11 0.12 mg / kg), it indicated low availability. The total survey of the soils conducted according to Peive and Rinkis method revealed that the cobalt content was 1.5 mg/kg, which corresponded to the average value. However, 17% of the areas were characterized by low content. Therefore, soils with low cobalt content need cobalt-containing fertilizers, it is also necessary to treat seed with them and to perform foliar top dressing. Feed crops need it mostly, due to their ability to increase livestock productivity.