Abstract

Balanced and complex mineral nutrition is needed for plant growth and health. Application of micronutrients as simple salts results in its losses via leaching or binding in insoluble forms. One of the most effective way to avoid micronutrients losses is binding them on slow-release matrix. A comparative test was conducted on three types of slow-release zinc-containing fertilizers based on urea-formaldehyde and soybean lignin-cellulose concentrate at Moscow Institute of Agricultural Chemistry (Moscow, Russia) during March 2021.Fertilizers had been mixed with peat substrate in doses containing same amounts of zinc. Plastic pots filled with substrate and maize seeds were planted. Then pots placed in climatic control box (phytotron). Growth parameters, parameters of photosynthesis and dynamic of mobile zinc content in peat substrate and zinc contents on the aerial part of plants was estimated. Positive impact of application of urea-formaldehyde based fertilizers in dose of 0.3 kg Zn per ha on plant growth was shown and related to short-time boost of nitrogen nutrition.