SOIL ELEMENT ASSESSMENT IN DOLNENI’S TOBACCO CULTIVATION AREAS: A STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL DYNAMICS
Keywords:
soil, tobacco fields, macroelements, microelements, potentially toxic elements, ICP-MSAbstract
Soil quality is a critical factor for achieving high yields and optimal quality in tobacco cultivation. In this study, the soil composition in the Dolneni region of North Macedonia, one of the largest producers of oriental tobacco, is analyzed. Soil samples were collected in 2021 and 2022 and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of macro and microelements (K, Mg, Fe, and Na) and potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn). The analysis revealed that the macro and microelement composition of the soil was closely related to the geological and pedological characteristics of the region, while potentially toxic elements were present in concentrations below the established reference values for heavy metals in soils. This study provides valuable insights into the soil quality in the Dolneni region and assesses the potential environmental impact of tobacco cultivation in the area.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Bojana Dimovska Gonovska, Biljana Jordanoska Shishkoska, Trajče Stafilov, Valentina Pelivanoska, Claudiu Tănăselia
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