Saline fertility of fallow land massifs in the steppe zone of the Omsk Priirtyshye region

Abstract

Information on the properties of unused solonetz on deposits is necessary for studying the processes of their evolution, solving the issues of rational use of agricultural lands, and establishing the possibility of their reintroduction into agricultural turnover. The aim of the research was to study the fertility indicators of solonetz (Gleyic Solonetz) in the steppe zone of Omsk Priirtyshye, which are in the post-agrogenic stage of development. The research was carried out in Cherlak district of Omsk region (south of Western Siberia) on three fallow massifs with the age of less than 10 years; 10-20 years and more than 20 years. A field survey of soil cover and soil analyses were carried out. As a research result, it was established that fallow massifs are represented by the meadow-chernozem solonetz and the chernozem-meadow columnar solonetz of different types with low fertility. The unfavourable properties of solonetz were expressed physical solonetization, high density of illuvial horizons, low porosity, and unfavourable composition of exchange-absorbed cations, alkaline and strongly alkaline environment in the middle and lower parts of profiles, which are aggravated by arid conditions of steppe landscapes. Reintroduction of solonetz into agricultural turnover can be allowed only on arrays with predominance of medium and deep solonetz for cultivation of solonetz-resistant crops under moisture-saving technologies, no-tillage reclamation treatments, and chemical reclamation in the future.