SOIL FERTILITY AS A NECESSARY MEASURE FOR SUSTAINABLE TOBACCO PRODUCTION IN THE AREA OF MUNCIPALITY OF DOLNENI

Abstract

Republic of North Macedonia has a long history of tobacco production. Therefore, the precise determination of soil fertility parameters is of essential importance. The main purpose of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of tobacco soil properties as a useful strategy for guiding agricultural production and field management on specific sites. Furthermore, diagnosing soil fertility provides with proper and rational fertilization recommendations, which are integral parts of sustainable tobacco production. Following soil properties were monitored: pH, humus content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium, carbonates and physical clay in 153 of top soil samples (0-30 cm). The samples were collected from the area of municipality of Dolneni, which is part of Pelagonia region and accounts for almost 50% of the total area for tobacco production in the country.               

The results show that soil properties exhibit spatial variation. Based on the performed classifications, 54 % of the soil samples have low humus and nitrogen content, 65 % of the samples have low available phosphorus content and only 6.5 % have low available potassium content. The soil reaction varies widely within the limits suitable for tobacco production, and most of the sampled soils are loamy. Thus, the application of mainly complex fertilizers, such as 10:30:20, 6:24:12 and 8:22:20, results with optimal fertility in the investigated area.