In order to receive high and stable crop yields besides normalised organic and non-organic fertilisation it is necessary to stabilise the soil in water consumption and mineral composition, to add vital micro and macro elements upon their exhaustion.

First experiments, done at South Kazakhstan farms, show that Koksu shungite can be effectively applied to realise this task. This mineral contains micro and macro elements in naturally balanced quantities and possesses qualities to accumulate moisture, to sorb fertilisers’ ions and to give them back to the soil, thus contributing to an optimum crop development.

In many regions the intensification of agricultural processes often leads to the utmost exhaustion of the soils, so they become suitable only for building. Mass use of fertilisers may contaminate once fertile grounds, as the plants utilize only part of these compounds. During decomposition of chemicals, soils accumulate potentially dangerous compounds. Herbicides, insectofungicides and defoliants, which are applied against hazardous organisms and to quicken ripening of crops, also have negative effects on the soil: poisonous substances (nitrates, nitrites, etc.) get absorbed into a crop’s root systems and from there pass on to the agricultural produce.

Being a strong natural sorbent, Koksu shungite performs the following important functions when introduced to the soil as a combined fertilizer:

• Adsorbs mineral fertilisers and, as their content in the soil falls, carries out a dosed delivery back to the earth, maintaining an optimum fertile ground,
• Adsorbs and neutralises potentially dangerous chemical compounds, in particular residues of pesticides and their components formed by decomposition.

Studies on the effects of shungite application on crop yields have been conducted at several farms across the Republic of Kazakhstan. Fields of corn, cotton and soy have shown an earlier germination after shungite treatment in comparison with the control plots.

Cotton growers pointed out a 30% increase in the number of bolls per plant and bolls also opened 5 days earlier than the ones on the control plots.

Soy specialists stated a 30-50% decrease in pesticide content in the soil and in the legumes.

As far as maize fields are concerned, there was also an increase in the number of kernels per ear of corn, in the average height of maize and in the average number of ears per stem.

It is important to note that the harvest yield increased by 20 - 40 percent in all cases.

Shungite reduces soil acidity and contributes to moisture retention, therefore reducing watering requirement. During arid periods condition of the crops remains stable.

No negative effects on plants, brought upon by the mineral, have been discovered.

The results of agricultural tests show that in order to restore soil fertility the shungite powder needs to be applied during spring recultivation and after harvesting. Preliminary input quotas lie between 0.05 and 0.5 kg/m2.

Agriculturists advise the use of shungite in greenhouses, where it can serve as an additional source of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and its black colouring contributes the higher soil temperature by absorbing sun rays. Creation of artificial soils based on shungite and the use of shungite in hydroponics appear to have great potential as well.