Abstract
The article provides theoretical substantiation for yield increase through more efficient use of the most fertile topsoil layer in field crop cultural practices in the arid steppe. The paper used findings of the stationary and field experiments conducted on the soils of the southern Orenburg Region as a basis for the study. Giving up plowing practices and use of low-till and no till methods in crop rotation for 12 years resulted in differentiation of the arable horizon into strata with a more fertile upper layer similar to virgin soils. Humus increased by 18 %, nitrate nitrogen rose by 15 % compared to the tilled layer, and the figures increased by 17 % and 45 %, respectively, with a layer of 20–30 cm. The conventional cultural practices do not use this layer as it tends to dry out and no roots are found in it. This disrupts effective use of precipitation (no more than 5– 7 mm) during the growing season. A technology ensuring water infiltration into soil (2–8 cm) is needed for developing a secondary root system in grain crops and side shoots in root crops. This will increase grain yield by 0,7–1,0 t/ha and improve root crop yields significantly.
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