Acta Agronomica Hungarica, 53(3), pp. 241–250 (2005) 0238–0161/$ 20.00©2005 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest EFFECTS OF A CARBONIZATION PRODUCT AS ADDITIVE ON THE GERMINATION, GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETERS OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS K. SVETKOVÁ 1 , M. HENSELOVÁ 2 and M. MORVOVÁ 3 1 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY, SLOVAK UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA 2 FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, COMENIUS UNIVERSITY, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA 3 FACULTY OF MATHEMATICS, PHYSICS AND INFORMATICS, COMENIUS UNIVERSITY, BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA Received: 19 April, 2005; accepted: 19 September, 2005 The effects of the carbonization product of separated communal waste as an additive to the soil was studied on the germination, quantitative growth and yield parameters of maize (Zea mays L.), bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). The product was tested on three soil types with different humus content and mineral composition in doses of 1, 10 and 20 g of additive per kg soil, with application before seeding or after plant emergence, under greenhouse and field conditions. It was found that plants utilized the nutrient content from the carbonization products in both methods of application and that the stimulatory effect on the germination, fresh and dry mass and yield parameters of the treated plants was dependent on the plant species, soil type, dose and method of application. A significant effect of the additive was found on the germination of bean, which increased by 8−22% over the control. Fresh and dry mass increased by 18−62% in maize and by 2−30% in bean when the additive was applied under greenhouse conditions. In the field the additive was found to have a positive effect on the average mass of tomato fruits and maize cobs, and on the yield per plant. Key words: non-traditional fertilizer, carbonization product, maize, bean, tomato, germination, fresh and dry mass, yield Introduction One of the main factors in the intensification of plant production is the appropriate fertilization of plants, which decides the quantity and quality of many agricultural crops (Ložek, 2001; Ankumah et al., 2003; Hlušek et al., 2003; Liua et al., 2003; Márton, 2004). Although the current spectrum of industrial fertilizers in the Slovak Republic is already extensive (Vaneková, 1989; Fecenko and Ložek, 2000), the development of new fertilizers continues (Jahnátek, 2003). This generally depends on the agricultural production and economic potential of individual countries. Nowadays many new and non- traditional fertilizers are being tested. Proteinaceous hydrolysate prepared from tanning waste stimulates the germination and growth of maize, barley and cucumber (Bezák et al., 1989). Zeolite fertilizer (Zeomix) increases the yield of spring barley (Rimár, 1999). Anaerobically digested grey municipal solid waste can serve as a readily available N source to ensure rapid crop development (Makaly Biey et al., 2000). A mixture of organomineral complexes with morphoregulatory and antistress effects shows positive effects on the increase of dry mass in winter wheat (Hudec et al., 2001).