Humus Balance Research Articles

Towards a national model of humus (carbon) budget management in soils of agroecosystems in the Russian Federation

The prospect of adapting two methods for monitoring the fertility of agricultural soils (humus balance, HB) under spring and winter wheat crops (hereinafter referred to as grain crops) developed in the Russian Federation (RF) for the purposes of climate projects has been studied. It was revealed that the RosNIIzemproekt method (1998) underestimates the HB average value to -7.7 c/ha for RF. The RosNIIzemproekt method (1998) has logical errors in the calculation model and is not recommended for use. The TsINAO method (2000) has a more logical calculation model. According to this method, the average value of HB in soils for RF is generally positive and amounts to 3.3 c/ha (0.71 tCO2-eq/ha carbon units). This value constitutes ≈0.3% of average humus reserves in arable soils of the RF (108 tС/ha). The annual value of change in humus content under spring and winter wheat is incommensurably less than the total humus reserves in the soil. Statistically reliable assessment of changes in humus content requires a huge number of soil samples. This makes the verification procedure economically inexpedient. Another option is proposed to increase the time of humus accumulation. It is considered (IPCC, 2003) that a 20-year accumulation period is sufficient, which corresponds to the duration of soil climate projects. A coefficient (0.216) has been proposed for converting humus reserves (c/ha) to the value of a carbon unit (tCO2-eq/ha). The total sequestration of carbon by soils under grain crops in 2022 was about 11 million 914 thousand tCO2-eq. HB accounting significantly compensates for calculated emissions from agricultural production and reduces them by almost 10% (from 116 to 105 million tons CO2-eq in 2022). For both models of fertility monitoring, an assessment was made of the quality of the regression dependence of HB on the total biomass of photosynthesis (TBP) in soils under grain crops. It is shown that according to Fisher's t-test at a 5% significance level, the studied relationship is significant and characterized by the squares of the correlation coefficient (R2) equal to 0.554 and 0.998. In accordance with the Chaddock scale, the closeness of the correlative relationship between HB and TPB for winter wheat is assessed as high, and for spring wheat as very high.

A modular framework to assess biological resource utilization impacts (BIORIM)

The strong influence of biological processes and site conditions, the large diversity in management, compositional changes of agricultural produce, and the circularity of processes challenge the assessment of environmental impacts of the bioeconomy. This paper introduces a novel sustainability assessment and material flow model to study biological resource utilization impacts (BIORIM) which aims to address these challenges. The model represents important bioeconomic production systems (e.g. arable land, dairy farm, biogas plant) and considers input properties, production parameters such as site conditions or management, and different emission factors when calculating products and emissions. For this reason, the functions that represent the conversion processes need to be executed in the correct order when analysing larger production networks. The model keeps full track of mass, carbon and nitrogen flows, and therefore allows assessing how much is lost during processing, ending up in the produce and is recycled. The modelling approach is illustrated at the example of a dairy farm where dairy manure is used as an organic fertilizer for fodder crop production in the following year. This is compared to a scenario that includes a biogas plant. The comparison of manure storage to biogas production reveals that this change does not only affects direct emissions. Biogas production leads to higher carbon losses and thus negatively affects the humus balance. The manure storage, on the other hand, leads to higher nitrogen losses, which result in a lower fertilization value of the manure, and therefore a higher amount of mineral fertilizer is required in the following year. Together with the emission savings from the energy production, this results in a lower global warming effect of the biogas scenario. The study shows that it is important to consider the interplay of processes when assessing impacts of bioeconomic production systems.

Processes of humus loss in leached chernozem soils of the North Kazakhstan region

This article discusses the processes of dehumification and loss of humus in leached chernozem soils of agricultural lands of the North Kazakhstan region due to mineralization and as a result of erosion processes. Modern rates of soil dehumification lead to a decrease in the fertility of agricultural land and a decrease in yields, soil fertility is a valuable resource. The intensive process of decomposition of organic matter and its dehumidification occurs as a result of plowing virgin soil and as a result of its improper use in agricultural conditions. In the North Kazakhstan region, after the development of virgin lands, trends of intensive soil dehumidification are widespread. It was found that the object of study, leached chernozem, loses 0.69 t/ha by mineralization of humus and 0.011 t/ha as a result of erosion processes. Due to the long-term agricultural use of the land, improper construction of soil protection works, lack of organic substances that complement the humus composition of the soil, the balance of humus is disturbed, and organic substances connect soil structures with each other, increasing resistance to environmental factors. The destruction of soil structures of the plowed soil layer, the predominance of dust structures, thinning of the humus layer and the intensity of erosion processes were revealed.

Agroecological and economic assessment of organic crop rotation in Polissia zone

For the organic production of plant products on sod-podzolic soil, a biologized short-rotational grain rotation was put to study: sorghum–oats–oats– vicot–oats–barley. In conditions of shortage of manure, the optimization of the nutrition system is carried out due to the by-products of grain and leguminous crops, oil radish siderate, the use of foliar treatment of crops with preparations of biological origin (microfertilizer Avatar, biopreparation BiocomplexBTU and liquid biofertilizer Volynski humaty), including, in the background mineral fertilizers allowed in organic production (P40K60 — phosphorite flour and potassium sulfate). The goal of the task was to investigate the influence of the biological fertilization system on crop rotation productivity, grain quality, soil fertility, and the economic efficiency of crop cultivation. It was established that, on average, during the 2021–2023 research, the maximum grain yield indicators were obtained for all factors of influence: pea-oats — 2.25 t/ha, oats — 1.88, vetch-oats — 1.66 and barley — 1.61 t/ha, the total crop rotation productivity under these conditions was 2.28 t grain units. It was determined that the protein content of oat grains was 9.1–9.8%, barley — 10.8–11.7%, the protein content of flax seeds was at the level of 18.2–19.0%, vetch — 22.9–23.8%, the lowest indicators were noted in the control. It has been established that in biological crop rotation due to 50% saturation with leguminous crops against the background of straw and siderate, a deficit-free balance of humus and nutrients is achieved. Due to the by-products of crops, 175 kg of humus accumulates in the soil annually, which ensures a simple reproduction of its fertility, and the additional application of fertilizers of biological origin helps to increase the humus to 350 kg, which ensures an extended reproduction of the fertility of sod-podzolic soil. Nitrogen comes at the expense of oil radish siderate, with by-products of leguminous crops and is biologically fixed from the atmosphere. Removal of phosphorus and potassium by crops is compensated by the supply of these elements with straw and siderate. Due to the disparity of prices, the cultivation of grain crops was unprofitable under all factors of influence, the profitability of legumes was 19.6–64.4%. The level of profitability of the general crop rotation for the treatment of crops with drugs was 6.5–14.8%, and the costs incurred for the purchase and application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers did not pay off with the growth of crop yields.

ORGANIC FARMING: DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS IN RUSSIA, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET

The production of organic agriculture products has become one of the most growing areas of economic activity, with projected annual growth of 10-12%. At the same time, the demand for organic products significantly exceeds the supply, which is largely due to the lack of land that can be allocated for this production. Russia, which has significant areas of virtually unused land on which mineral fertilizers and pesticides have not been used for a long time, reaching 19.7 million. ha, has a significant potential for development in this direction. At the same time, considering that a significant part of unused territories is located within the zone of risky agriculture, and also has soils with a low level of natural fertility, degraded, arid, waterlogged, etc., the actual amount of land resources that can be involved in organic agriculture is significantly less. For the most complete introduction into circulation of unused agricultural lands, it is necessary to increase the knowledge intensity and manufacturability of organic agriculture, for which research work in the following areas is highly relevant: 1) optimization of the balance of humus and nutrients in soils, 2) breeding and seed production of crops for organic agriculture, 3) development of biological products for disease and pest control, 4) development of optimal farming systems taking into account local soil and climatic conditions, 5) optimization of agricultural landscapes based on increasing the diversity of agricultural land use. Along with the involvement of unused lands in the organic production system, the development of the industry largely depends on the system of training qualified personnel in this area, which should take into account the specifics of the technologies used, which differ significantly from traditional farming systems. To do this, it is necessary to update existing professional standards, which should include generalized labor functions related to the development and implementation of organic farming technologies, as well as knowledge and skills in organizing organic production. On the basis of updated professional standards, universities should form new professional competencies and a corresponding set of academic disciplines. The personnel training system for the industry should include various levels of training: agricultural classes, higher education, additional professional education.

Theoretical substantiation and development of ecologically friendly farming system in Ukraine

Intensive farming has caused soil degradation, including the loss of humus, soil structure breakdown, compaction, and a decrease in both potential and effective fertility. Therefore, research into farming systems is highly relevant. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to scientifically substantiate, develop, and implement an ecologically friendly modern farming system under Ukrainian conditions. The primary methods used to determine the effectiveness of various farming systems and ensure the accuracy and reliability of experimental data were field, laboratory, and statistical methods. The study substantiated that an industrial farming system with the input of approximately 12.0 tonnes per hectare of crop rotation area of organic matter (8.0 tonnes per hectare of manure and 4.0 tonnes per hectare of plant residues) produces about 0.81 tonnes per hectare of humus, although 1.33 tonnes per hectare of it is mineralised, leading to a negative humus balance in the soil. The output of grain units in this system is 8.21 tonnes per hectare, feed units – 9.63, and digestible protein – 0.86 tonnes per hectare, with stability at 91.2% and profitability at 88.0%. The organic farming system, which includes the use of 24 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers and biological products to control weeds, diseases, and pests in agrocenoses, does not ensure a positive humus balance in the soil (-0.14 tonnes per hectare) and has significantly lower productivity. The no-till system, which involves the application of 12 tonnes per hectare of organic fertilisers in the form of root and stubble residues, by-products of crop production, and mineral fertilisers during sowing and foliar feeding, ensures a positive humus balance (+0.12 tonnes per hectare) but has productivity levels comparable to the organic system. The ecological system provides stable, economically viable, and resource-adequate productivity of arable land, enhances the quality indicators of products, and preserves and restores soil fertility. It increased the output of grain units by 8.9%, feed units by 7.2%, and digestible protein by 8.1%, ensuring high stability at 94.1% and an increase in production profitability by 8.5% compared to the control. The materials in this study are of practical value for agricultural enterprises of various ownership forms and will serve as technological guidelines for the implementation of modern, ecologically safe, economically and energetically justified agricultural production

Dynamics of humus in field crop rotations on drained lands

The purpose of the research is to study the influence of different types of field crop rotation, fertilizers, drainage and hydrothermal conditions on the dynamics of humus in reclaimed soil. The studies were carried out on the experimental fields of the All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands (reclamation sites “Kuzminskoye Boloto 2”, “Semenovskoye” and “Gubino” in the Tver region). Waterlogged soils were drained using closed drainage (inter-drain distance is 18–20 m, drain depth is 0.9–1.2 m). The soils of the experimental plots are soddy-podzolic, light loamy, gleyic, formed on a moraine or thin binomial. Observations of the dynamics of humus were carried out in the grain-grass-row, grain-grass, grain and grain-row types of crop rotation. The influence of crop rotation on the content of humus in the soil was determined, first of all, by the composition, the structure of the crops grown and agricultural technology of their cultivation. Due to plant residues, 56.6–76.5 % of the volume of mineralized humus were restored in grain-grass-row crop rotation, 51.8 % in grain, 26.4 % in grain-row crop rotation. The most significant qualitative changes in the composition of humus were observed in grain-grass-row crop rotation: with a positive humus balance, the ratio of humic and fulvic acids increased from 0.63 to 0.74. The use of organic and mineral fertilizers significantly changes the balance of humus in the arable layer of the soil. With an organic-mineral fertilizer system, the annual loss of humus (in kg/ha) on the drained plot was 6.8–11.4 times less, on the non-drained plot – 2.1–2.6 times less than in the variant without fertilizers. Drainage of waterlogged soils increases the role of fertilizers in the accumulation of humus, reduces its losses and improves the quality parameters of humus – the ratio of humic and fulvic acids in the composition of humus under the influence of drainage increased from 0.61 to 0.88. The impact on the dynamics of humus of hydrothermal conditions has been established. In years with a dry first half of the growing season, an increase in humus content is observed; in excessively wet years, on the contrary, a decrease is observed. The correlation coefficients of humus content with hydrothermal conditions in May-June were – 0.84 (in 1985–1993) and 0.95 (in 2014–2022).

Effect of Long-Term Different Land Uses on Improving Stable Humic Compounds in Arenosol

There has not been enough research conducted on the effect of land use on the composition of humus in Arenosols. This long-term study (1995–2022) aimed to determine the differences in the formation of humic compounds in the natural and agricultural ecosystems of Arenosols. Soil samples were collected from six plots at two soil depths (0–15 and 15–25 cm), with four replicates. Conclusions were reached based on the results of the accumulation of humic substances (HSs) and their qualitative fractional composition, C/N ratio, humification degree (HD), and the optical properties of the humus substances. Afforestation, after 27 years, significantly increased (+6.7 g kg−1) the soil organic carbon (SOC) and influenced the qualitative composition of HS: HA + FA 79.3% of the SOC. Grassland cultivation showed faster (+3.8 g kg−1) SOC sequestration, a higher HA/FA ratio, and an increased HD. Arenosols may be used in crop rotation with approximately 40% leguminous plants to maintain a stable humus balance. Additionally, the effects of mineral fertilisers on the humification processes and humus quality of +2.59 g kg−1 SOC, +1.27 g kg−1 humin in crop rotation, +3.26 g kg−1 SOC, and 2.82 g kg−1 humin in a grass cultivation field were established. For SOC accumulation and a larger humus amount of a better quality, it is recommended that an Arenosol is used, as it is suitable for use in perennial cut grasslands, natural grasslands, and pine afforestation.

No relationship between outputs of simple humus balance calculators (VDLUFA and STAND) and soil organic carbon trends

AbstractSimple humus balance calculators were developed for farmers and consultants to determine the best crop rotation and amount of organic fertilizer required to improve soil quality and prevent nutrient leaching in croplands. Although the potential of these tools to infer the impact of different agricultural practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in croplands is not well studied, they have been integrated in several farm‐level climate or environmental impact assessment calculators. Here we examine the correlation between humus balance values estimated with two different tools developed in Germany/Central Europe and observed changes in SOC content at 14 long‐term sites in Switzerland. The first tool was developed by the Association of German Agricultural Investigation and Research Institutes and is referred to as the VDLUFA. The humus balance calculator STAND is a descendent of the VDLUFA that accounts for pedoclimatic factors in Central Europe. Crop rotations were distinguished based on cultivation practice, whereby those with mixed fertilization were supplied with mineral fertilizer alone and in combination with organic materials, while those with organic fertilization include unfertilized and organic fertilizer treatments. An analysis of 133 short‐term observations (i.e. individual crop rotations of five and 6‐year duration) and 26 long‐term observations (i.e. several crop rotations with a total duration of ≥10 years) showed that humus balance values (kg C ha−1 year−1) of short‐term crop rotations were not or only poorly correlated with the observed change in SOC content (%) (R2 = 0.06 in STAND and R2 = 0.05 in VDLUFA for crop rotations with organic fertilization, and R2 < 0.01 for crop rotations with mixed fertilization). The correlation did not improve when the humus balance values of long‐term observations with mixed fertilization were compared with decadal SOC development (R2 = 0.04 for STAND and R2 = 0.06 for the VDLUFA). Stronger correlations were found only for long‐term observations with organic fertilization (R2 = 0.68 for STAND and R2 = 0.64 for the VDLUFA). These findings underline that while the studied humus balance calculators are able to distinguish the effect of different fertilizers (organic vs. mineral) on a farm's humus supply on the longer term, neither are suited for predicting SOC trends over single crop rotations. Although this study was carried out in Switzerland, the results should apply to any region with temperate climate and similar soil properties.

Change in the balance of humus and nutrients in agriculture of Rivne region

Change in the balance of humus and nutrients in agriculture of Rivne region

Balance of humus and nutrients in the meadow-chernozem soil of the rice ecosystem

Balance of humus and nutrients in the meadow-chernozem soil of the rice ecosystem

Intensity and Direction of Dynamics of Soil Fertility Indicators in Landscape Farming

The purpose of the work is to study the dynamics of soil fertility indicators after the development of adaptive landscape farming systems in the most eroded region of the Belgorod region since 1981. Based on 40 years of research at the model object “Turnip Log”, it is shown that the direction and intensity of the soil-forming process is changing. Four stages are distinguished: at the first until 1993 the decrease in humus content and alkalization of the soil environment, characteristic of washed away carbonate soils, continues; at the second stage, the rate of humus loss drops 10 times; the third ten-year period is characterized by a significant increase in organic matter and its stabilization subsequently, which accompanied by a transition in pHsol. to the area of neutral values. The dynamics of mobile forms of macroelements and agronomically valuable cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ indicate the cultivation of soils in general. At the same time, it is emphasized that there are no universal elements in the agricultural system; Along with the creation of an ecological framework of protective plantings, it is necessary to comply with the principles of adaptive placement of agricultural crops and a deficit-free balance of humus and nutrients in crop rotations.

The Influence of Landscape Farming Systems on the Fertility of Eroded Residual Carbonate Chernozem

The purpose of the work is to study the influence of adaptive landscape farming systems on the fertility indicators of eroded residual carbonate chernozem. The study of carbonate soils is of particular scientific and practical interest, since they are susceptible to easy destruction, accelerated degradation and increased difficulty in restoring fertility; they suffer more from water erosion and deflation. With the integrated use of all elements of adaptive landscape farming systems, primarily including anti-erosion organization of the territory that forms the soil-protective configuration of fields, a system of protective forest plantings, adaptive placement of agricultural crops, a fertilizer system aimed at a deficit-free balance of humus and nutrients, even in extremely difficult soil conditions. -relief conditions of the Krasnogvardeisky test site managed to stop soil erosion losses, which contributed to an increase in their fertility.

The influence of fertilizer systems on plant residues mass of agrophytocoenoses of short-term crop rotation, the balance of soil humus and ecologization of agriculture

Three-year (2020–2022) studies on the black soil of a typical experimental field of the Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University found that on unfertilized variants fertilized with 6t/ha of manure + N64P54K58, 6t/ha of manure + N98P66K92 and 6 t/ha of manure + N126P82K116 according to the use of non-commercial products of agrophytocenoses as organic fertilizer, the dry matter of root residues was 2.64, respectively; 3.89; 4.64 and 5.13 tons, plant residues – 3.63; 5.25; 6.24 and 6.84 tons, and crop rotation productivity – 1.98; 3.42; 4.40 and 4.83 tons of dry matter of the main products and 4.48; 7.84; 10.22 and 11.43 tons of the main products and by-products of crops per hectare of arable land. With an increase in fertilizer application rates, the increase in marketable products of agrophytocenoses is higher than that of plant residues. At the same time, the ratio of the dry mass of the main products and byproducts of agricultural plants to the mass of their root and plant residues, as well as the share of their nonmarketable products, is increasing. A positive balance of soil humus was recorded only in the fields of white mustard and buckwheat, it is negative under the rest of the agrophytocenoses. On unfertilized plots fertilized with 6 tons of manure + N64P54K58, 6 tons of manure + N98P66K92 and 6 tons of manure + N126P82K116 with the use of by-products of agrophytocenoses as organic fertilizer, the balance of humus in the arable layer of typical black soil was positive and was, respectively, 0.34; 0.63; 0.55 and 0.60 t per hectare of crop rotation. When noncommodity crop production was removed from the fields, this indicator was negative in all experimental variants. In general, the share of humus formed from manure, plant residues, green manure and non-commodity crop products in the crop rotation was 0, 36, 31 and 33% on unfertilized plots, respectively; 10, 30, 27 and 33 % – fertilized with 6 t/ha of manure + N64P54K58; 8, 29, 27 and 36 % – fertilized with 6 t/ha of manure + N98P66K92; 7.29, 26 and 38 % – fertilized with 6 t/ha of manure + N126P82K116. According to the indicator of the ecologization coefficient of agriculture, the zero fertilization system (without the application of manure and mineral fertilizers) corresponds to biological farming, the first is ecological, the second and the third – the ecologization of the branch. Agrotechnically efficient is the use of agrophytocenoses by-products as organic fertiliser and ploughing only for a row crop in a five-field crop rotation. Key words: fertilization system, plant residues, humus, agrophytocenoses, crop rotation, ecologization , by-products (non-marketable products), productivity.

Importance of soil fertility for climate-resilient cropping systems: The farmer's perspective

Healthy and productive agricultural soils are the basis for global food security as they are a prerequisite for yield-stable cropping systems under climate change. Despite the expansion of agricultural research activities in this area through field experiments, lab analyses, and modelling frameworks, current empirical insights from farming practice on a more national scale are still rare. For this reason, the agronomic importance of soil fertility for farming practice was the focus of this nationwide empirical study conducted in Germany (winter/spring 2022) with a total sample size of 585. The views and needs of 370 farmers and 215 agricultural institutionalists were evaluated, i.a., regarding the importance of soil fertility and related soil properties, as well as preferred agronomic management strategies and needs for the promotion of soil fertility. The results showed that most farmers and institutionalists consider soil fertility to be very important. Moreover, it was emphasized that the importance of this factor will increase in the future due to changing climatic conditions (e.g., heat/drought stress) and the need for more sustainable land use including the protection of biodiversity. The main motivations for agronomic investments in greater soil fertility were improving the climate resilience and yield stability of cropping systems. In this context, the top soil properties of interest were ranked by the respondents as follows: (1) water storage capacity, (2) rootability, (3) biological activity, and (4) water infiltration rate. To promote soil fertility, farmers mainly considered catch cropping, diversified crop rotations with a positive humus balance, and year-round ground plant cover/mulch as the most useful agronomic measures. In terms of methods for the assessment of soil fertility, soil structure analyses, biological indicators, yield/biomass production, soil nutrient analyses, and field methods were most important, whereas sensor systems and apps/digital tools were of minor importance. For the future improvement of soil fertility promotion in farming practice, simple indicators and reference values for assessing soil fertility as well as 'workshops, field days, and field schools' for training aspects were suggested by the participants. Overall, there were few differences between the perceptions of farmers and agricultural institutionalists. Both groups pointed out the need for improved communication between politics, science, and practice such that agriculture can respond more quickly to changing climatic conditions in the future.

Replenishment of Humus due to Crop-Root Residues in Flax and Crop Rotations

In the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia on sod-podzolic light loamy soil in a long stationary experiment in flax crop rotations, the process of replenishing humus due to crop-root residues was studied. Alternation of crops in the crop rotation in 2004–2011: pure steam – winter rye with sowing of perennial grasses (red clover and timofeevka) – perennial grasses of the 1st year of use – perennial grasses of the 2nd year of use – flax – potato – barley – oats. In 2012–2018, potatoes were excluded from the crop rotation. The contribution of cultivated crops to the accumulation of soil organic matter varied. The largest amount of crop-root residues (6.8 t/ha) remained in the soil after harvesting perennial grasses, which provided a positive humus balance of +1.35 t/ha. In the crop rotation with potatoes without the use of fertilizers, the humus deficit was –0.20 t/ha, with the exclusion of potatoes from the crop rotation, the deficit decreased to –0.05 t/ha per year. The use of fertilizers increased the productivity of crop rotations by an average of 75%, the amount of crop-root residues increased by 10.6 t/ha or 58%, which allowed to obtain a positive balance of humus in the soil. The use of fertilizers at a dose of (NPK)200 (manure 5 t/ha + (NPK)135 and manure 5.7 t/ha + (NPK)120) in an 8-pole crop rotation with pure steam and potatoes when saturated by 25% with perennial grasses provided a humus balance of +0.17 t/ha per year, in 7-full crop rotation with pure steam and without potatoes at saturation by 28.5% with perennial grasses – +0.43 t/ha per year.

Баланс органического вещества дерново-подзолистой почвы в севооборотах со средообразующими и сидеральными культурами

In the conditions of the Kaliningrad region, long-term research substantiates the possibility of using four- and five-field field crop rotations with a positive balance of organic matter for long-term binding of atmospheric carbon dioxide in the form of stable humus in the soil. The introduction of medium-forming and sideral crops into field short-rotation crop rotations makes it possible to improve the agrophysical condition of the soil, due to the sideration of annual crops and plant residues of perennial legumes, which contributed to an increase in yield. Thus, when growing winter wheat after clover harvest, grain harvests averaged 44.4 c/ha over three years, which is 23.7% higher than for other predecessors. Four– and five-field crop rotations with the inclusion of perennial legumes and grasses have a significant potential for the accumulation of organic matter for its subsequent conservation in the form of humus. The greatest positive balance of humus (+2.5 t/ha) was observed in the crop rotation with the inclusion of fodder beans, spring barley under the cover of perennial grasses and winter triticale. The use of annual mixed legumes and cereals during sowing in summer as precursor siderates for winter rapeseed, barley, wheat, and ginger contributes to the increased accumulation of organic matter in crop rotation. Keywords: BALANCE OF SOIL ORGANIC MATTER, HUMUS, SHORT-ROTATION CROP ROTATION, ENVIRONMENT-FORMING AND SIDERAL CROPS

Formation of an organisational and technological mechanism for the development of the fertiliser market in the Russian Federation

Ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country, achieving a food independence is associated with the development of the fertiliser market. The conducted research points to the formed market of mineral fertilisers with stable supply and demand, with a focus on export operations. There is no organised market for organic fertilisers in Russia. Production on an industrial scale has not been established, although all the prerequisites are present, in particular, a sufficiently powerful resource and raw material base. During the period from 2009 to 2021, the volume of solid manure decreased from 105.95 million tons to 86.64 million tons, semi-liquid from 117.02 million tons to 109.13 million tons, liquid manure increased from 38.68 million tons to 87.62 million tons. There is an urgent need for the production and application of organic fertilisers, as indicated by the negative balance of humus in the soil from 3.14 to 6.26 million tons d.v. It is proposed to develop an organisational and technological mechanism for the development of the organic fertiliser market. The conceptual apparatus of the mechanism is presented, organisational and technological components are defined. In order to justify the placement of organic fertiliser production, it is proposed to use the optimal localisation of processing enterprises based on the theories of production placement. The technologies of applying organic fertilisers are substantiated, a modern set of technical means developed using high-tech technologies and tested at agar enterprises in the south of Russia is proposed. Full-fledged application of high-quality organic fertilisers contributes to the restoration of soil fertility, increasing the yield of agricultural crops.

Ecological assessment of the impact of vermicomposting on the growth and development of spring wheat in the soil and climatic conditions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan

The use of intensive technologies in agriculture, with the introduction of large amounts of mineral fertilizers, pesticides and a reduction in the application of organic fertilizers, has led to a shortage of humus balance in the soil. A progressive solution in this situation is the production and application of vermicomposting, which not only restores soil fertility, but also significantly increases the economic efficiency of agricultural industries. This article presents the results of a study that showed the reduction to a reasonable minimum of external anthropogenic impacts on the agro ecosystem and the activation of its own bio potential through the use of alternative fertilizers give a positive effect in maintaining soil fertility, protecting the natural environment and obtaining a sustainable harvest. The experience has shown that the degree of influence of fertilizer types turned out to be very significant in the variants where organic fertilizers and vermicomposting were applied, which clearly confirms that these types of fertilizers significantly affect the formation of plant biomass.

Ecological Bases of Use of Organic Waste As Fertilizers

Based on the conducted studies, it is established that in Azerbaijan there is a large amount of unused organic waste that accumulate polluting the environment. These wastes can be processed and used as organic fertilizers. The waste contains a large amount of organic matter and mineral nutrients that improve the fertility of soils and the yield of agricultural plants (Artyushin et al., 1984). Works on chemicalization and land reclamation are carried out on an unprecedented scale. At the same time, environmental protection and the rational use of natural resources are becoming increasingly important for the environment. The food program developed in accordance with the decision to develop the country's agriculture provides for the full and rational use of all the resources of organic fertilizers available in our republic with a total volume of their production in 2017 of about 30 million tons. Preserving a deficit-free balance of humus in the soil, increasing its fertility and increasing the yield and quality of agricultural plants with the intensification of agriculture will require the expansion of production and the use of not only all types of animal husbandry and poultry farming and peat, but also the mobilization of other sources of organic matter. Among them, an important place should be given to household, agricultural and industrial waste, waste from the biochemical and woodworking industries, etc.The full and efficient use of all resources of organic fertilizers simultaneously solves a number of economic tasks: obtaining maximum yields while maintaining and increasing soil fertility, protecting the environment from pollution by waste and waste from industry, public utilities, animal husbandry and crop production (Zamanov et al., 1990).