Issues on soil moisture management substantiation for the steppe conditions in the European part of Russia

Abstract

Issues on irrigation substantiation for the crops cultivated in the steppe zone of Russia are considered in the paper. The crop yields are moistly limited by low soil moisture in steppe conditions. To increase crop yields irrigation is required but it may cause environmental issues (for example, soil fertility reduction). Therefore, hydro-reclamation impact estimation on the environment remains relevant. To provide the ecologically friendly irrigation, it is necessary to consider both the requirements crops and soil biota demands. Soil biota state should be an indicator of the ecological state of the soils to conserve soil fertility. Calculations were carried out for various agro-hydrological areas in order to take into account the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture distribution. The results of the research help to determine the environmentally friendly ranges of soil moister management. The calculations, carried out on the example of spring wheat, showed a high probability of the need for irrigation. The requirements on environmentally friendly irrigation increase the probability of the need for irrigation as well as wheat yields. The relationship between the probability of irrigation necessity and average long-term soil moisture in the meter soil layer is obtained. The results of the research will help to consider the issues of soil moisture heterogeneity more thorough.