Mechanization in agriculture & Conserving of the resources
Vol. 69 (2025), Issue 3

Table of Contents

  • CONSERVING OF THE RESOURCES

  • MECHANIZATION IN AGRICULTURE

    • Phytoremediation of War-Induced Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils Using Humates from Ukrainian Lignite

      pg(s) 70-72

      This study examines a combined remediation strategy that integrates humic acids derived from Ukrainian lignite with oat (Avena sativa L.) phytoremediation to restore soils contaminated with heavy metals as a result of military activities in Ukraine. Humic acids were extracted using an energy-efficient hydrocavitation method and applied to artificially contaminated peat at two dosages (1:5 and 1:10). The amendments markedly reduced the mobility and extractable concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn, with total decreases ranging from about 25% in the untreated control to nearly 47% under the highest humate application rate. Improved soil structure and stimulated root development contributed to enhanced plant tolerance and greater biomass production. Metal accumulation occurred predominantly in roots (68–90%), while only 10–32% was translocated into biomass, indicating effective stabilization within the soil–plant system and minimized risks for trophic transfer. These findings demonstrate that hydrocavitation-extracted lignite humates substantially reinforce phytoremediation efficiency and represent a scalable, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable solution for rehabilitating conflict-affected agricultural soils.

    • Role of Irrigation Organizations in Promoting Awareness in Drought Management

      pg(s) 73-77

      Climate change, declining water resources, and increasing agricultural water demand have made effective, sustainable, and locally based solutions in struggling drought inevitable. While 8.5 million hectares of Turkey’s agricultural land (24 million hectares) are economically suitable for irrigation, only 7 million hectares are currently irrigated. Of the 112 billion m3 usable water potential annually, 58 billion m3 are consumed. 76% of the consumed water is used in agriculture, 12% for drinking, and 12% in industry. The significant use of water in agriculture highlights the importance of irrigation activities and the irrigation organizations that have a say in this matter. In recent years, drought-related rainfall has decreased, and irrigation water supply has been a problem, particularly in arid regions. Considering all of this, irrigation organizations are directly involved not only in the technical management of water but also in promoting awareness of drought, using resources effectively, and improving society’s adaptation to the process. Research reveals that irrigation organizations play an important role in maintaining agricultural production during dry periods, distributing water resources and informing farmers. Their role in drought management extends beyond infrastructure management; they also increase public awareness and encourage behavioral changes through educational activities, awareness campaigns, and technical support. This study attempts to identify the methods irrigation organizations are currently using, or should use, in drought management, drawing on literature. Key recommendations include increasing the institutional capacity of irrigation organizations, integrating scientific data with local knowledge, expanding digital monitoring systems, integrating with drought early warning systems, and developing training programs to encourage the active participation of young farmers. In addition, in order to increase the effectiveness of struggling drought, it is necessary to switch to a risk-based management approach instead of approaches that focus only on moments of crisis.

    • Zoning of agricultural territory as an approach for rational use of soil resources and protection of agricultural land

      pg(s) 78-85

      Zoning is a major component of spatial planning. While urban land use planning receives much attention in the literature, agricultural land use planning has been significantly neglected. The contemporary challenge is how to balance the development of agriculture with environmental protection, while maintaining both productivity and the quality of natural resources. The article examines contemporary practices for land zoning in rural areas and agricultural territories. The experience of a number of countries in Europe is reviewed, as well as the experience of the USA, Canada, Australia, etc. countries. The problems of construction permits, land categorization systems, and assessment of the suitability of land for growing agricultural crops are examined. Some gaps in Bulgarian agricultural land management are revealed. Conceptual proposal for spatial structuring of agricultural territories in Bulgarian planning documents is given.

    • Integrated regenerative practices for resource utilization of waste generated in the production and processing of products in agriculture and forestry

      pg(s) 86-88

      The aim of this report is to demonstrate feasible regenerative practices in accordance with the requirements underlying the EC regulations and the package of measures introduced in December 2015 to implement the “circular economy”. The reviewed regenerative practices achieve the principles of resource restoration, introduction of integrated production practices for soil regeneration and recarbonization. The ecological importance and control of soil microorganisms, the retention and restoration of soil moisture to ensure sustainable soil fertility is shown.

    • In situ partitioning of selected antibiotics in the water-sediment system: effect of pH

      pg(s) 89-91

      The presence of antibiotic residues in aquatic ecosystems has become an increasing environmental and public health concern due to their persistence, potential to disrupt microbial communities, and contribution to the development of antimicrobial resistance. These contaminants are often insufficiently removed by conventional wastewater treatment systems, allowing them to accumulate in surface waters and sediments, where they pose ecological risks. Understanding their occurrence, environmental behavior, and interactions with sediment is therefore essential for effective risk assessment and mitigation strategies. This study investigates the environmental occurrence and sediment-water partitioning behavior of the antibiotics ciprofloxacin (CFC) and clindamycin (CMC) in the Ishmi River basin, Albania. Both compounds were frequently detected in surface waters and sediments, with the highest concentrations found near urban sewage discharge points, where CFC and CMC reached up to 1.8 and 0.2 μg L-1 in water and 1068 and 37.8 μg kg-1 in sediments, respectively. Declining concentrations with decreasing urban impact were observed. The sediment-water partition coefficient (Kd) indicates high sorption tendencies for CFC and low to moderate for CMC. Partitioning behavior for CFC was influenced significantly by sediment pH, organic carbon and cations content. In case of CMC, however, organic carbon and iron (Fe) content were the main determining factors. The pH dependent n-octanol-water distribution coefficient (Dow), highlights the prominent sediment pH effect on CFC partitioning, and suggests that electrostatic interactions with negatively charged functional groups influence its environmental fate. These findings underscore the role of physicochemical interactions in controlling antibiotic distribution in sediments and highlight CFC and CMC as priority contaminants in regions with insufficient wastewater treatment.

    • Statistical Analysis of Zeolite Concentration Effects on Germination and Growth of Cucumber Seedlings

      pg(s) 92-94

      Zeolite is widely applied in agriculture due to its high cation-exchange capacity, ability to improve soil fertility, and effectiveness as a slow-release carrier of nutrients. Inaddition, its porous structure allows it to retain and purify water, thereby enhancing soilmoisture balance and reducing nutrient leaching. The present study examines the influence of varying Zeolite concentrations in soil on the germination and subsequent growth dynamics of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings. Experimental data were subjected to Correlation Analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Statistical Hypothesis testing in order to evaluate the relationship between Zeolite content and plant growth rate. The findings indicate statistically significant effects of Zeolite percentage on both germination and vegetative development, highlighting the potential of Zeolite as a soil amendment for improving Cucumber cultivation practices.