The Effect of Applying a Combined Fertilizer Derived from Serpentinites on Improving the Yield Capacity, Nutritional Value, and Baking Quality of Winter Wheat

Background: To improve nutrient availability from serpentinite, the raw material was subjected to acid treatment, resulting in the production of a novel combined fertilizer. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the obtained serpentinite fertilizer, applied both separately and in combination with mineral fertilizers, on soil fertility improvement, as well as on the yield and grain nutritional quality of winter wheat. Methods: Laboratory studies of fertilizer solubility were conducted to determine the rate at which nutrients pass into the soil solution. The climatic conditions of the experimental sites were described, and the agrochemical and agrophysical characteristics of the experimental plots were presented. Field and pot experiments with the fertilizer were conducted, along with soil and crop analyses, observations, and calculations using standard methods. Results: Fertilizer application had a significant positive effect on the field germination, germination energy, and yield of winter wheat, resulting in an increase in plant survival, grain number per spike, and grain weight. The contents of nutrients, protein, and lysine in the grains increased, together with the quantity and quality of gluten. Fertilizer application also reduced fungal infection of the root system. These effects contributed to improved nutritional value of the grain and enhanced bread-making quality. Conclusion: The application of serpentinite fertilizer improves several important agronomic parameters; however, its greatest effectiveness was observed when applied in combination with mineral fertilizers (NPK). Novelty: A new type of combined fertilizer was produced through acid treatment of serpentinites. The fertilizer contains Mg, Fe, Ca, P, K, Na, active SiO₂, and other nutrients. This study is the first to evaluate the agronomic and nutritional effects of phosphoric acid-activated serpentinite fertilizer under both field and pot conditions, and the effectiveness of the developed fertilizer was investigated. Keywords: serpentinite, combined fertilizer, winter wheat, grain yield capacity, proteins, lysine, gluten content and quality, bread-making quality.