Improving Chernozem Fertility and Barley Yield Through Combined Application of Phosphorus Fertilizer and Ash–Carbon Amendment
Khussainov A. Sarsenova A. Ayapbergenova A. Kyzdarbekova G. Bazilevskaya E.
December 2025Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Soil Systems
2025#9Issue 4
Phosphorus deficiency and declining organic matter limit crop productivity in Northern Kazakhstan’s chernozem soils. This study evaluates whether the combined application of phosphorus fertilizer and an ash-carbon amendment from industrial by-products can improve soil fertility and barley yield. In a three-year field experiment (2018–2020), four P rates (1/10, 1/5, 1/2, and the full recommended dose, Prec) were tested with 100 kg ha−1 of ash–carbon product (“Agrobionov”). Across growth stages, we measured cellulolytic microbial activity, water-stable soil aggregates (%WSA), and grain yield. Relative to the control, P + ash–carbon increased microbial activity by up to 57.6% and %WSA by up to 76%. The highest yield (1.32 t ha−1) occurred with Agrobionov + ½ Prec, a 51.7% increase over the control. These results indicate that pairing moderate P rates with an ash–carbon amendment enhances soil biological and physical properties and improves yield in P-deficient chernozems, supporting the sustainable use of industrial by-products as cost-effective soil amendments. Future work should assess long-term effects on C sequestration, nutrient cycling, and economic feasibility.
ash–carbon amendment , barley yield , chernozem , microbial activity , phosphorus fertilizer , water-stable aggregates
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Regional Institute of Applied Research and Innovation Projects, Shokan Ualikhanov Kokshetau University, 76 Abai St, Kokshetau, 020000, Kazakhstan
Agrotechnical Institute, Ualikhanov Kokshetau University, Kokshetau, 020000, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Ualikhanov Kokshetau University, Kokshetau, 020000, Kazakhstan
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802, PA, United States
Regional Institute of Applied Research and Innovation Projects
Agrotechnical Institute
Department of Biology
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
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