Role of Zeolites in Enhancing the Condition of Soil

Abstract

Due to the decreasing quality and/or quantities of the farmland production capacity and environmental degradation, food security has been threatened in several regions of the world. Zeolite farming has gained interest in this case. Zeolites in various parts of the globe are natural aluminosilicates found in rocks. Due to numerous profits gained through them, the use of zeolite has gathered importance in the recent history. Due to various their wide viscosity, cation exchange ability and selectivity for ammonium as well as potassium cations, Clinoptilolite Zeolites are useful in agriculture. They could be used as both nutrient carrier and as nutrients. Zeolites could be used as an effective additive to control the odour as they could adsorb the volatile substances like acetic acid, butanoic acid, isovaleric acid, indole and enhances effectiveness of the manure. It has been documented that natural zeolites are commonly used as modifications for sandy soils. Zeolitic alteration in arid and semiarid conditions is an important way to enhance the soil conditions. The application of soil modifications like Clinoptilolite zeolite including composted manure has also been proven to affect physical properties of soil like soil CEC. Keywords: Agriculture, Farming, Soil Conditioner, Zeolites