ASSESSMENT OF THE CONTENT OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN SOIL AND ITS PROPERTIES USED FOR TOBACCO CULTIVATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

K. Bacheva, T. Stafilov, V. Pelivanoska, B. Jordanoska

Abstract: he objectives of the presented study were to assess the properties of soil from different agricultural areas in the Republic of Macedonia used for tobacco cultivation determining the most important soil factors (pH, clay, cation exchange capacity - CEC, organic matters - OM and total organic carbon - TOC) that influence the content of metals in soil. The study was conducted on 150 locations from three well-known tobacco regions in Macedonia (Pelagonia, Southeastern region and Vardar Valley). Total (HF digestion) and pseudo-total (aqua regia extraction) content of eighteen elements (Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Li, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, P, V, Sr, and Zn) was analyzed by atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES). The results suggested the general effectiveness of total digestion for determination of most of the elements. Aqua regia extraction was more successive for the extraction of Cu, Pb, Zn and P. Significant positive correlations were found between clay, CEC and total content as well as aqua regia extractable elements content. Organic matters had significant positive correlation with most of the pseudo-total elements, and positive significant correlation only with the total content of Ba, Li and P. All analyzed element correlated poorly with pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and had high inter-element correlation. Despite intensive tobacco production, the content of most of the heavy metals in soil were at levels, which are typical of agricultural and low anthropogenic pressure areas. However, some plots had high Ni content. Based on the results of all investigated variables and giving the importance of tobacco production for Macedonian, further and extended monitoring is crucial.

Keywords: agriculture; soil properties; tobacco; trace elements

Date published: 2019-04-18