Agricultural and agrochemical uses of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type

The present paper deals with the agricultural and agrochemical uses of natural zeolite of the clinoptilolite type from the Nižný Hrabovec deposit in Eastern Slovakia. The structure of natural clinoptilolite is ideal for sorption and ion exchange processes. Due to its structure and properties this natural, inert and non-toxic material can be used as a slowly releasing carrier of fertilizer, as well as other agrochemically, pharmaceutically and biochemically active compounds including disinfectants. Natural zeolite can also be used to improve physical properties of soils and for treatment of contaminated soils. It is also suitable—in very small amounts—as additive to animal feed.