The effect of humic fertilizer on soil fertility and corn yield in the conditions of Zhetysu

Light sierozem of the south-east of Kazakhstan are characterized by a low humus content, weak structure and limited moisture capacity, which causes their relatively low level of natural fertility and limits the productivity of agricultural crops. In the context of agricultural intensification, an urgent task is to find environmentally safe and cost-effective ways to increase corn yields for grain. The present study evaluates the effect of organic humic fertilizer Atmas on the growth, development and productivity of corn. It has been established that the use of humic fertilizer stimulates plant development and increases the mobility of nutrients in the rhizosphere. This ensures a more intensive formation of the root system, improves the absorption of macro and microelements and helps to increase the resistance of plants to stress factors of the arid climate. As a result, grain yield increased to 13.2-15.9 t/ha, providing an increase from 4.7 to 26.1% compared with the control. Thus, Atmas organic humic fertilizer is an effective means of increasing corn productivity for grain in light sierozem, ensuring sustainable crop formation, improving the agrochemical properties of the soil and increasing the economic efficiency of crop cultivation.

1. Mirovoe proizvodstvo kukuruzy [Elektronnyj resurs]. - Rezhim dostupa: https://www.yara.kz/crop-nutrition/maize/key-facts/world-production/. - Data obrashcheniya: 26.07.2026.

2. Agrarnyj sektor. Kazakhstan uvelichil posevy kukuruzy [Elektronnyj resurs].

3. - Rezhim dostupa: https://agrosektor.kz/agriculture-news/kazahstan-uvelichil-posevy-kukuruzy.html. - Data obrashcheniya: 26.07.2026.

4. Garmash N.Yu., Garmash G.A. Metodicheskie podkhody k otsenke kachestva guminovykh preparatov // Agrokhimicheskij vestnik. - 2012. - № 4. - S. 17-19. - URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/-n/metodicheskie-podhody-k-otsenke-kachestva-gumi-novyh-preparatov.

5. Orlov D.S. Guminovye veshchestva v biosfere. - Moskva: Nauka, 1997. - 237 s. - URL: https://www.studmed.ru/orlov-ds-otv-red-guminovye-veschestva-v-biosfere_9bdd 72760ea.html.

6. Tikhonov V.V., Yakushev A.V., Zavgorodnaya Yu.A., Byzov B.A., Demin V.V. Dejstvie guminovykh kislot na rost bakterij // Pochvovedenie. - 2010. - № 3. - S. 333-341. - URL: https://naukarus.com/deystvie-guminovyh-kislot-na-rost-bakteriy.

7. Kurmanbaev A.A., Sundet T.R. Kontseptsiya pochvennogo zdorovʹya i sovremen-nye indikatory zdorovʹya pochv // Pochvovedenie i agrokhimiya. - 2023. - № 2. - S. 91-106. - DOI: 10.51886/1999-740X_2023_2_91.

8. K.B. Karabayev, B.U. Suleimenov, A.ZH. Smanov, A.N. Zhakatayeva, A.M. Ustemirova, G.D. Zhassybayeva, A.O. Dutbayev. Growth and productivity of porumben corn hybrids with the Application of Bioecogum in southeast Kazakhstan // SABRAO Journal of Breeding and Genetics. - 2024. - Vol. 56. - № 2. - P. 673-680. - DOI: 10.54910/sabrao2024.56.2.19.

9. B. Suleimenov, G. Kaisanova, M. Suleimenova, S. Tanirbergenov. Influence of organic humic fertilizer «Tumat» on the productivity of sugar beet // Agronomy. - 2024.

10. - Vol. 14. - Art. 1100. - P. 1-21. - DOI: 10.3390/agronomy14061100.

11. Sulejmenov B., Tanirbergenov S., Zarіp Z., Musaeva K., Kajsanova G. Primenenie guminovykh udobrenij pri vozdelyvanii soi, ozimoj pshenitsy i sakharnoj svekly v uslo-viyakh yugo-vostoka Kazakhstana // Izdenister Natigeler. - 2025. - № 1 (105). - S. 439-451. - DOI: 10.37884/1-2025/47.

12. Ibraeva M.A., Abaj A.K., Toksejtov N.M., Sulejmenova A.I., Poshanov M.N. Sravnitelʹnoe izuchenie vliyaniya primeneniya biopreparatov «Tumat» i «Bioekogum» na gumusnoe sostoyanie risovo-bolotnykh pochv // Pochvovedenie i agrokhimiya. - 2022.

13. - № 2. - S. 56-74. - DOI: 10.51886/1999-740X_2022_2_56.

14. Pachikin K.M., Erokhina O.G., Adamin G.K., Ershibulov A.K., Songulov E.E. Pochvy predgornykh ravnin khrebta Malaj-Sary i ikh degradatsiya // Pochvovedenie i agrokhi-miya. - 2018. - № 4. - S. 5-21.

15. [Elektronnyj resurs]. - Rezhim dostupa: https://www.kz.corteva.com/products-and-solutions/seeds/corn/p0937.html. - Data obrashcheniya: 22.07.2026.

16. Arinushkina E.V. Rukovodstvo po khimicheskomu analizu pochv. - Moskva: MGU, 1970. - 489 s. [Elektronnyj resurs]. - Rezhim dostupa: https://search.rsl.ru/#colf=04.10.2024. - Data obrashcheniya: 22.07.2026.

17. Grzyb A., Wolna-Maruwka A., Niewiadomska A. Environmental Factors Affecting the Mineralization of Crop Residues // Agronomy. - 2020. - Vol. 10. - Art. 121951. - DOI: 10.3390/agronomy10121951.

18. Feng X., Simpson A.J., Simpson M.J. Chemical and mineralogical controls on humic acid sorption to clay mineral surfaces // Organic Geochemistry. - 2005. - Vol. 36.

19. - P. 1553-1566. - DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2005.06.008.

20. Yang F., Tang C., Antonietti M. Natural and artificial humic substances to manage minerals, ions, water, and soil microorganisms // Chem. Soc. Rev. - 2021. - Vol. 50. - № 10. - P. 6221-6239. - DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01363c.

21. Drinkwater L.E., Wagoner P., Sarrantonio M. Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses // Nature. - 1998. - Vol. 396. - P. 262-265. - DOI: 10.1038/24376.

22. Grant C.A., Flaten D.N., Tomasiewicz D.J., Sheppard S.C. The importance of phosphorus in crop production and environment // Canadian Journal of Plant Science.

23. - 2001. - Vol. 81. - № 3. - P. 211-228. - DOI: 10.4141/P00-093.

24. Römheld V., Kirkby E.A. Research on potassium in agriculture: needs and prospects // Plant and Soil. - 2010. - Vol. 335. - P. 155-180. - DOI: 10.1007/s11104-010-0520-1.

25. Zixin Zhang, Junxi Wang, Kangning Zhang et al. Integrating field experiments and meta-analysis to decipher the mechanisms underlying the yield-enhancing effect of humic acid on maize // Field Crops Research. - 2026. - Vol. 346. - Art. 110618. - DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2026.110618.

26. Sangoi L., Silva P.R.F., Argenta G. Influence of plant density and row spacing on maize grain yield and ear traits // Agronomy Journal. - 2002. - Vol. 94. - № 3. - P. 565-571. - DOI: 10.2134/agronj2002.5650.

27. Izquierdo J., Arriagada O., García-Pintos G., Ortiz R., García-Pintos M., García-Pintos M. Humic field biostimulation as a sustainable agricultural practice to increase yield of main grains: evidence from on-farm trials // Frontiers in Plant Science. - 2025.

28. - Vol. 16. - Art. 1709876. - DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2025.1709876.