Economic and climatic justification for soil bioactivation practices to develop organic farming in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic

   A comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of soil bioactivation was conducted in the Steppe zone of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic to determine the potential for enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer systems in organic farming and compare them with conventional systems. Agronomically valuable microorganisms, incorporated into commercial biopreparations such as Rhizoplan, Azolen, Ultrex, and Mycotop, were used as bioactivation agents. The experiment was established on a long-term observation plot, part of the Geoset No. 082. A comparative assessment of the conventional fertilizer system (N 63P42K32) and the organic system without mineral fertilizer application was performed based on economic indicators and carbon balance, the latter serving as a measure of climatic well-being. Organic fertilizers utilized included manure, green manures (winter rape-seed), winter wheat straw, and their combinations. Treatments involving soil bioactivation were designated by the letter “a”. Data analysis revealed that the complete abandonment of mineral fertilizers without any organic fertilizers (control treatment) does not meet the criteria for effective farming. Compared to the conventional fertilizer system, this control treatment showed a yield reduction of 0.95 t/ha, a negative economic efficiency (–3015 RUB/ha), and a decrease in the CO₂-eq footprint within the agroecosystem by 0.42 t/ha. The use of single organic fertilizers resulted in increased winter wheat yields and comparable economic indicators. Maximum efficiency was achieved when combining all investigated organic fertilizers with soil bioactivation. This particular treatment, compared to the mineral fertilization option, led to a yield increase of 0.24 t/ha, and an enhancement in economic and climatic effects by 6945 RUB/ha and 23.5 t CO₂-eq, respectively.

1. Dyson F. Can we control the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? Energy. 1977;2(3):287-291. doi: 10.1016/0360-5442(77)90033-0

2. WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. The State of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmosphere. 2019;15:8. https://library.wmo.int/records/item/58687-no-15-25-november-2019

3. Zanilov A.Kh., Melentyeva O.S., Nakariakov A.M. Organization of organic agricultural production in Russia: methodological guidelines. Moscow, Russia: Rosinformagrotech, 2018:124. (In Russ.) EDN: NLISRM

4. Union of Organic Farming. The number of organic certificates issued by the end of 2024 increased by almost 50 %. (In Russ.) URL: https://soz.bio/kolichestvo-vydannykh-organicheskikh-se/ (accessed: February 28, 2025).

5. Bridskaya P.O., Bessonova E.A., Zhakhov N.V. Transition to a green economy: an analysis of the prospects for the development of organic agriculture in Russia. World of Economics and Management. 2023;23(3):5-20. (In Russ.) doi: 10.25205/2542-0429-2023-23-3-5-20

6. Charles A., Rochette P., Whalen J. et al. Global nitrous oxide emission factors from agricultural soils after addition of organic amendments: A meta-analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. 2017;236:88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2016.11.021

7. Mahajan D. Carbon Sequestration Potential of Urban Green Spaces (PMC Gardens) in Pune City, India. Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International. 2021;25(6):22-38. doi: 10.9734/JGEESI/2021/v25i630291

8. Tsedeke R., Dawud S., Tafere S. Assessment of carbon stock potential of parkland agroforestry practice: the case of Minjar Shenkora; North Shewa, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research. 2021;10:2. doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00211-3

9. Mineev V.G., Pannikov V.D., Trepachev E.P. et al. Guidelines for conducting research in long-term experiments with fertilizers: guidelines. Moscow, USSR: All-Union Research Institute of Fertilizers and Agro-Soil Science named after D.N. Pryanishnikov, 1986:147. (In Russ.) EDN: VMUIIP

10. Leshkenov A.M., Zanilov A.K. The effect of soil bioactivation on the efficiency of mineral and organo-mineral fertilizer systems and the productivity of winter wheat. News of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scientific Center of RAS. 2021;(2(100)):39-49. (In Russ.) doi: 10.35330/1991-6639-2021-2-100-39-49

11. Farag A., Manal M., Mona M. et al. Carbon footprint for wheat and corn under Egyptian conditions. Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society. 2018;6(2):41-54. doi: 10.17170/kobra-2018122070

12. Piskunova H.A., Fedorova A.V., Ershova T.S. Input of mineral nutrients into the soil with green manure crops. Vladimirskiy zemledelets. 2012;(2):15-16. (In Russ.) EDN: PAYAAZ

13. Nakariakov A.M., Zavalin A.A. Influence of biorperarates and fertilizers on the yield and quality of winter wheat grain on light gray forest soil. Plodorodie. 2021;(4(121)):26-30. (In Russ.) doi: 10.25680/S19948603.2021.121.08

14. Zasorina E.V., Komarnitskaya E.I., Mashoshin A.V. The effectiveness of the use of organic farming preparations in potato growing. Vestnik Kurskoy gosudarstvennoy selskokhozyaystvennoy akademii. 2022;(1):49-55. (In Russ.) EDN: FGPFSL

15. Mazalov V.I., Kuznetsov M.N., Zhuk G.P. The use of agrobiotechnological techniques in organic farming in the Orel Region. Legumes and Groat Crops. 2024;(3(51)):106-113. (In Russ.) doi: 10.24412/2309-348X-2024-3-106-113