Volcanic Ash Application in Agricultural Practice

Abstract

For the first time in international practice, agricultural experiments were carried out to introduce volcanic ash from the Kamchatka Peninsula in combination with conventional mineral fertilizers into ocherous volcanic soils (Andosols Acroxic). According to various variables of field experiment, yield increases were obtained relative to the background: for potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) by 31–63% in 2014, by 7–19% in 2017 and by 14–31% in 2018; on timothy (Phleum pretense) by 21-50% in 2015. Production experience in the cultivation of annual forage grasses in 2016 showed an increase in yield by 32%. In addition, the crude protein in forage grasses and the content of starch potato tubers also increase, and potatoes have better resistance to potato diseases.