Influence of various cultivation techniques in combination with fertilization on the vertical radionuclide redistribution in soil and the radionuclide migration into plants

The plan of experiments has included 3 ranges of cultivation depths, i.e. 8 to 10 cm cultivation; 8 to 10 cm cultivation and 28 to 30 cm cultivation, in combination with using agrochemical ameliorants such as zeolites, Na humate, dung and mineral fertilizers. In 1990 average soil contamination with Cs-137 was 10-12 Ci/sq km. The results have demonstrated that radionuclide migration in cultivated soils differs substantially from that one of virgin lands. As far as soil amelioration methods are concerned, cultivation techniques are considered to be the major factors affecting the variations in radiation level. As the cultivation depth grows, surface gamma-radiation background and specific radionuclide content in soil are reducing. At the same time the thickness of the radiocontaminated layer and intensity of radionuclide migration grow. 1 refs.; 4 tabs