Humus Balance Research Articles

Ecological and economical aspects of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growing on sod-podzolic soil depending on fertilization and amelioration

Assessment of the state and changes forecast of balances of humus and nutrients under the influence of anthropogenic factors, in particular fertilizers which are the criteria for environmental monitoring is given in the article. At the same time, the introduction of an environmentally friendly fertilizer system should ensure the economic efficiency of growing crops on a par with the preservation of soil fertility. The aim was to study the influence of the system of winter wheat fertilization on the balance of humus and nutrient elements on sod-podzolic soil and to establish the economic efficiency in research’s variants. The fertilizer system includes variants with amelioration a 1,0 dose of dolomite flour by the hydrolytic acidity (Hh), mineral fertilizers N120Р60K90 with addition of sulfur S40 and microfertilizer Nutrivant Plus Cereals (2 kg/ha) in foliar application. Methods of research were field trials, calculation, comparative and statistical analysis. Research’s results. Ploughing of plants by-products of back into soil is a source of organic carbon and nutrients. The yield of winter wheat straw in the variants changed from 2.04 to 4.47 t/ha. The largest amount of root (1.27 t/ha) and surface (1.47 t/ha) residues were provided by application 1.0 dose CaMg(CO3)2 and N120Р60K90 with the addition of S40 and microfertilizer Nutrivant Plus Cereals. The above fertilizer system provided a positive humus balance of 1.39 t/ha. The difference of data in variants with and without straw showed that due to straw ploughing in the soil accumulated up to 27–31% of the relative values of the newly formed humus. Optimization of the nutrition conditions due to fertilizers and liming caused an increase uptake of nutrients by culture, which together with unproductive losses led to a decrease of elements balance. At the same time, an increase the elements removal occurred at indicators of the intensity of NPK balance above 100%. This allowed us to conclude that the winter wheat fertilization of N120Р60K90 with the addition S40 and microfertilizer in combination with 1Hh dose of dolomite flour provides extension of sod-podzolic soil fertility along with increasing economic profitability of wheat cultivation. In this case, the grain yield of 3.85 t/ha contributed to the highest (1.52 UAH/ha) payback of fertilizer and liming.

Main criteria for evaluation of efciency and contradictions in the process of crop rotation implementation

The nature of subjective positioning on the role of crop rotations in agriculture from many points of view, namely – agrochemical, biological, geological and energetic. This leads to the belief that crop rotation arose as a need for reasonable human interaction with nature, a careful attitude to it. However, a comprehensive ecological and biosphere approach to understanding the essence of crop rotation requires the resolution of certain contradictions that arise in the implementation of modern farming systems. Based on the data of long-term feld experiments, the main indicators of the biological cycle of humus carbon in black soil are calculated. The calculation is based on the balance of humus as the difference between the fnal and initial content and reserves in the soil under different crop rotations. We found that the joint application of organic and mineral fertilizers had a positive effect on the balance of humus and nitrogen in the soil and, ultimately, on crop yields and crop rotation productivity. Against this background, a positive balance of humus (+1.29 t/ha) and total nitrogen (+80 kg/ha) in the soil is observed. Strengthening the organic fertilizer system by using, in addition to manure, by-products of crops – cereal straw, peas, corn stalks contributed to the formation of a positive balance of humus and nitrogen in the soil: the annual accumulation of humus was 0.28 t/ha, nitrogen 14 kg/ha. Due to the humifcation of crop residues of cereals, peas and perennial legumes during the 7-year study period in the soil of control crop rotation 1 formed humus 2.85 t/ha, in crop rotation 14 with grasses – 7.0, the rest of crop rotations – from 3.4 up to 4.0 t/ha. In general, 5.5 % of the initial stock of humus or 8.9 t/ha was mineralized in the crop rotation without fertilizers during the specifed period. If we add to this about 3 t/ha of humus, the decomposition of which in the process of mineralization was compensated by plant residues, then during this period decomposed about 12 t/ha of humus. This value of mineralization characterizes the parameters of the biological cycle of humus in the control crop rotation. Key words: soil, fertilizers, crop rotations, crop yield, crop rotation productivity, plant residues, humifcation, humus, humus mineralization, humus balance.

Вплив добрив і обробітку на якісний стан дерново-підзолистого ґрунту та продуктивність польових культур сівозміни в умовах Житомирського Полісся

Goal. To make a comparative assessment of the productivity of different variants of long-term application of the fertilizer system in 9-field crop rotation and cultivation of radioactively contaminated soddy podzolic soil concerning its agroecological condition and impact on the productivity of field crops. To develop the measures to minimize the content of 137Cs in crop products. Methods. Field, laboratory-analytical, mathematical-statistical. Results. The influence is studied of long-term systematic application of fertilizers in crop rotation, as well as variants of basic tillage of soddy podzolic soil on humus condition, its physicochemical and agrochemical properties. It is determined that long-term use of organic fertilizer system on the background of flat cultivation of soil (20–22 cm) provides the positive balance of humus reserves at the level of 9.8 t/ha. Planar tillage (20–22 cm) using organic and organomineral fertilizer systems helped to reduce the specific activity of 137Cs by 42.6–43.9% compared to fallow (296 Bq/kg). It is proved that field crops under the growth of the ability to accumulate 137Cs are placed in the following sequence: lupine (seeds) > corn (green mass) > winter wheat and spring barley. Conclusions. It is established that the organomineral fertilizer system (7.8 tons of manure + N57R63K75 per 1 ha of crop rotation area for one rotation of 9-field crop rotation) for plowing the soil to the depth of 20–22 cm for row crops and 18–20 cm for continuous sowing provides the highest yield of fodder units (4.6 t) per 1 ha of crop rotation area per rotation. Crop yields, excluding lupine grains, obtained during cultivation on radioactively contaminated soddy podzolic soil (

Agrocenosis Stability during Long-Term Application of Fertilizers on Soddy-Podzolic Soil

In a long-term field experiment in the western part of the nonchernozemic zone of Russia (Smolensk oblast) on sandy loamy soddy-podzolic soil (Albic Glossic Retisol (Loamic)), the comparison of the effect of various rates and combinations of organic and mineral fertilizers revealed their efficiency in all the studied variants, except for the separate application of phosphorus fertilizers. It was found that the organomineral system—N90P90K90 + manure 9 t/ha—provided a deficit-free humus balance in the soil and stable productivity of crops (average for 30 years) at the level of 3.79 tons of forage units per hectare, or 37% higher than the control (without fertilizers). The mineral fertilizer system—N90P90K90—by the end of the fourth crop rotation was not inferior in the productivity to the organomineral system, but it led to a decrease in the soil humus content and pHKCl. The organic system with an annual manure rate of 9 t/ha occupied an intermediate position with respect to the crop rotation productivity (3.41 t/ha of forage units), as well as with respect to the soil fertility reproduction. A reliable increase in crop yield in the aftereffect was only recorded in the variants of organic and organomineral fertilizer systems, i.e., when soils were saturated with organic matter from manure. The soil in these variants was characterized by the high total number of microorganisms.

Екологічна складова сталого розвитку сільського господарства

The article is aimed at studying the ecological indicators of sustainable development of agriculture on the basis of systematization of statistical data in dynamics and determination of characteristic signs of ecological threat caused by the activities of economic entities. It is determined that, according to the conception of triple criterion by J. Elkington, the ecological component of sustainable development, on a par with economic and social, comprised the basis for the development of national indicators as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The surveys conducted by the World Economic Forum indicate a pre-emptive positions of ecological global risks associated with extreme weather events, failures in the fight against climate change, natural natural disasters, decreased biodiversity, and the natural disasters caused by economic actors. As a result of the study, two groups of ecological indicators of sustainable development of agriculture are distinguished as related to the estimation of soil quality and biodiversity, which are expressed in SDGs 6, 13 and 15. Further analysis of the actual implementation of tasks in the context of the Goals allows to assess the degree of their reach in the near future. High levels of area plowing, uncontrolled use of fertilizers and linear waste-producing economic management models are the reasons for the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, a decrease in the balance of humus and nutrients. Gradual replacement of linear models with cyclic models can facilitate a regeneration of natural capital. Further research is related to the revision of the efficiency of resource use, the search for ways to reduce waste volume, as well as the application of the conception of circular economy at the local level.

УРОВНИ УВЛАЖНЕНИЯ ЧЕРНОЗЕМОВ, СПОСОБСТВУЮЩИЕ СОХРАНЕНИЮ ПОЧВЕННОГО ПЛОДОРОДИЯ

Purpose: to study the effect of different levels of moisture on chernozems properties and the crop yield. Materials and methods. Research objects are ordinary chernozem irrigated with fresh water; ordinary chernozem, irrigated with low-mineralized water; southern chernozem irrigated with fresh water (Rostov region). Analysis and evaluation of these soil samples were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Mathematical processing of the data was carried out according to B. A. Dospekhov. Results. It was found that the average yield of agricultural crops in the 0.8 m variant compared to 1 t decreased by 2–3 % (within the limits of reliability of the experiment), and the water saving was 13–18 %. An increase in the water load (1.3 m) during 4-year irrigation with low-mineralized water of sulphate-sodium composition increased the amount of sodium to 9 % of the total soil absorbing complex (AUC) with a simultaneous decrease in the calcium proportion to 69 % of the total AUC and the transformation of soils from weakly to medium alkaline (1.15 mmol/100 g). It was revealed that for 4 years of research, when irrigating chernozems with fresh water in options 1 m and 0.8 m, a positive humus balance is observed, and on ordinary chernozems irrigated with low-mineralized water, and southern chernozems with natural solonetzicity, a negative humus balance is traced in all variants. Conclusions. Comparing the results on soil properties, the yield of cultivated crops and the efficiency of the use of irrigation water at various levels of moisture, one should give preference to soil moisture at a rate calculated for the biological need of plants. It is allowed to reduce the irrigation rate from the calculated one by 20 %, since at this level the chernozem fertility is preserved, the irrigation water consumption is reduced with a slight shortage of cultivated crops yield.

Common chernozem processing methods and techniques influence on the humus balance in crop rotation: oil flax - winter wheat - mogar peas

Common chernozem processing methods and techniques influence on the humus balance in crop rotation: oil flax - winter wheat - mogar peas

Use of agroecological soil monitoring data in designing adaptive landscape farming systems

The article analyzes the experience of using agroecological monitoring data in designing adaptive landscape systems of agriculture and soil protection in the Belgorod region. On the basis of data on soil acidity, design and estimate documentation for liming is developed. Materials on the content of soil organic matter are used in the design of measures to form a deficient balance of humus. Information on the availability of arable soils with mobile forms of phosphorus and potassium is necessary for calculating doses of mineral fertilizers. With low availability of mobile forms of sulphur and trace elements, recommendations are being developed for the use of fertilizers containing scarce elements. As a result of the implementation by agricultural producers of projects of adaptive landscape systems of agriculture and soil protection, in 2015-2018, compared to 2010-2014, the use of mineral fertilizers increased by 14.4 kg/ha, organic - by 3.3 tons/ha, lime production - by 38.1 thousand ha/year. As a result, arable land productivity increased by 1.01 thousand feed units.

ЕКОНОМІЧНИЙ МЕХАНІЗМ ІНТЕНСИФІКАЦІЇ АГРОПРОМИСЛОВОГО ВИРОБНИЦТВА

The article investigates the directions of intensification of agro-industrial production. The urgency of the research topic, the greening of agro-industrial production involves the intensive development of scientific and technological progress, its transition to ecological-economic, economic-organizational and ecological-technical relations. The main preconditions for the greening of agro-industrial production are revealed, in particular: permanent growth of material needs of mankind with limited and exhaustible reserves of basic natural resources, reduced productivity of agricultural lands, intensive degradation of natural ecosystems, increasing frequency of weather anomalies and climate change. It is established that the greening of agricultural production and the greening of the economy should be considered as a response to global social and environmental problems of today. The essence of the theory of energy balance in the agricultural sphere is clarified; correlation-regression analysis was performed to quantify the dependence of the need for organic matter (for a break-even balance of humus in the soil) on the ratio of the structure of cereal crops, row crops and perennial grasses. The directions of increase of rational use of natural resources of agrarian sphere and features of greening of agro-industrial production are substantiated. Given the intensity of the food problem, the need to move to an integrated agriculture system, which includes the best features of biological (organic, natural, ecological) farming system, assuming (within reasonable limits) the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. It was found that the ratio of the processes of synthesis and dehumidification (consumption) of soil organic matter for a certain period of time characterizes the humus regime of the soil and is an indicator of the intensity of accumulation and consumption of organic matter. It was found that fertility primarily depends on the accumulation and conversion of solar energy, so the soil is the second energy factor of the agroecosystem (after solar energy), which determines the very possibility of its existence. The value of the humus shell of the soil is most often assessed as a universal planetary accumulator and transformer of energy created in the process of photosynthesis in plant organisms. It is these vital aspects that determine the ecological and energy essence of soil fertility. It is from such functional principles that an appropriate system of economic evaluation of the efficiency and rationality of land use in the agricultural sector should be created. It is proved that the greening of agro-industrial production should ensure the preservation and reproduction of the natural resource potential of the agricultural sector.

Crop siderat as a method of biological function in the southwestern part of the central black-earth region

The article presents the results of long-term experience in the study of crop crops and their impact on the growth conditions and yield of the following crops. The reaped siderates were sown after winter and spring wheat in a 4-field crop rotation. The results of the research work showed that it is less likely to get their good shoots after spring wheat than after winter wheat, and the total plant mass of siderate introduced into the soil over all the years after it was 54-66 t / ha, which is about 1.7 times lower than after winter culture. The incorporation of the organic mass of the crop material into the soil in most years of its cultivation provided a positive balance of humus. The infestation of the crop sown next to the crop siderate increased only when using mineral fertilizer by 1.4-1.7 times compared to crops without it, while the number of perennial dicotyledonous weeds increased by an average of 2.5-3 times, both when applying azofoska and without it. The yield of crops following siderates in the crop rotation with the predecessor of winter wheat, peas for grain, was not significantly higher compared to crops without siderates, and with the predecessor, the sideral pair was slightly lower.

Ecological and economic aspects of the efficiency of Polissia organic plant models

Purpose. The objective of the article is to investigate theoretically the possibility of harmonization of ecological and economic aspects of functioning of organic agricultural products production models under natural and climatic conditions of crop enterprises of Polissia zone in the Region of Chernihiv.
 Methodology / approach. The study was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Microbiology and Agro-Industrial Manufacture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine during 2011–2020. The analysis of ecological and economic efficiency of organic crop rotations was made based on the results of the proprietary research on the example of generalization of predicted results of the developed standard models of organic crop rotations at crop enterprises of Polissia zone. Main methods: modelling (development, in particular, of standard models of crop rotations, modelling of the size of fertilizer potential over time by years); predicting (prediction of receipt and expenditure of nutrients, organic matter), balance (calculation of balances of humus and key nutrients), calculation and design (calculation of the basic parameters of economic efficiency); abstract and logical (formulation of the provisions of the article based on the analysis of studies of other authors, drawing conclusions based on the results of studies conducted).
 Results. Developed typical crop rotation models are characterized by positive predictive humus balances and acceptable key nutrient balances (NPK). With the implementation of ‘organic’ prices for agricultural products, most crops achieve an acceptable level of profitability. However, in order to achieve a competitive level of profitability of organic production, it must be provided with an appropriate economic mechanism of its functioning, in particular higher prices compared to traditional agricultural products, etc. Harmonization of economic and ecological aspects in simulated crop rotations is achieved primarily by selecting crops with high yields, which are mainly characterized by insufficient or low level of ecological efficiency, and crops with high or medium ecological efficiency, which having insufficient or low economic efficiency, compensate mostly negative ecological consequences of growing crops with high economic efficiency. This is accompanied by achievement of the ecological balance of agrocenoses and an acceptable level of economic efficiency of organic models. The practical aspect of the activities of specific farms in relation to the choice of the appropriate model of organic management should take into account not only considerations of ecological and economic efficiency, but also the level of resource provision within these limits.
 Originality / scientific novelty. The possibility of harmonization of economic and ecological aspects and achievement of their acceptable level in crop rotations of organic agriculture for crop enterprises has been theoretically substantiated. For the first time, the methodological approach developed by the authors on the distribution of costs for the production and application of organic fertilizers between crops during crop rotation in proportion to the duration and amount of fertilization was implemented.
 Practical value / implications. Typical models of crop rotations of organic farming for crop enterprises in Polissia were developed. Methods of choosing a certain model were proposed both according to the criteria of ecological and economic efficiency, and taking into account the organizational and economic capabilities and resource provision of a particular business entity.

Influence of crop rotations and mineral fertilizers on the humus state of the soil in a long-term stationary experiment

Relevance and methods. The article presents the data of scientific research on the influence of field crop rotations with the use of complex mineral fertilizers at a dose of 90 kg d. V. and without them on the humus state of dark gray forest heavy loam soil and arable land productivity in the Ryazan region. Research was carried out in the fields of ISA-a branch OF fgbnu FNAC VIM from 1992–1994. The aim of the research is to study the effect of long-term use of different crop rotations and mineral fertilizers on the humus content and changes in arable land productivity in dark gray forest soil and to predict the consequences of their use. In order to reproduce soil fertility and a deficit-free balance of humus, it is necessary, first of all, to have scientifically-based crop rotations in crops. Results. Our studies on dark grey forest heavy loam on granulometric structure of the soil, it was found that the saturation of crop rotations of legumes and legume-grasses contributes to the content of the total humus 0.16–0,195% for unfertilized and 0,324–0,290% in the fertilized soil, whereas in the rotation with the black field pair without application of fertilizer stocks this indicator of soil fertility in the layer 0–30 cm was reduced by 0,154%, the result of the increasing salinity and the lack of input of organic matter. It is noted that the long-term use of crop rotations saturated with grasses leads both to the stabilization of soil fertility and to an increase in the productivity of arable land, the initial value of which when the experiment was laid was 33.0 C.K. units/ha. at the end of the fourth rotation, the value of this indicator increased by 55.2% and 105.8%, respectively, on wind and fertilized backgrounds.

Dynamics of soil fertility parameters in the Zaporizhzhya region and the ways of its restoration

During 2000–2018, the results of the application of organic and mineral fertilizers in dynamics and their effect on the content of humus and nutrients in the soils of the Zaporizhzhya region were reviewed. To control the state of soil fertility use the calculation of the balance of humus and nutrients. This makes it possible to determine the extent to which the application of nutrients with fertilizers covers their removal by crop yields. Negative tendencies have been identified, which have led to the deterioration of soil fertility in the Zaporizhia region. Measures are proposed to achieve a deficit-free balance of humus and nutrients. On average, in 2000–2018, the level of mineral fertilizer application in the Zaporizhia region remained low – 38 kg/ha (nitrogen – 28 kg, phosphorus – 7, potassium – 3 kg), and manure – only 0.2 t/ha. According to the results of agrochemical certification of agricultural lands, the dynamics of changes in the content of humus, easily hydrolyzed nitrogen, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium over the past 18 years has been determined. The average weighted content of humus in the soils in the VIII round was 3.44 %, IX – 3.52, X – 3.40, XI (2016–2018) – 3.57 %, which indicates the stability of this indicator. The weighted average nitrogen content, which is easily hydrolyzed during all rounds, has close values (83.6–90.3 mg/kg) and corresponds to a low level of its supply. The content of mobile phosphorus compounds during the VIII – IX rounds was quite stable (97.1–101.6 mg/kg), and in the X–XI rounds there was even an increase to 123.3–123.4 mg/kg. The phosphorus regime of soils is stable and corresponds to the increased level of security, except for the ninth round (average). Potassium regime of the soil for eighteen years also remains stable and refers to a high level of security (159.6–176.8 mg/kg). The balance of humus and nutrients in the soils of the region remains negative. There is a tendency of positive changes if we compare the results for the first (2003–2014) and second (2003–2018) periods. Thus, to achieve a positive balance of humus it is necessary to apply 2 t/ha of straw (+400 kg/ha), 20 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizers and 6.4 t/ha of manure, and in 2003–2018 – respectively 2 t / ha straw (+400 kg/ha), 20 kg/ha of nitrogen, 5.8 t/ha of manure. Key words: soil, balance, dynamics, humus, fertility, organic and mineral fertilizers.

БАЛАНС КАЛІЮ У ҐРУНТІ ТА ЕФЕКТИВНІСТЬ КАЛІЙДЕФІЦИТНОЇ СИСТЕМИ УДОБРЕННЯ

The influence of long-term application of potassium-deficient fertilizer system in the field crop rotation (winter wheat, corn, spring barley, soybeans) on podzolic heavy loam black earth of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on potassium content in plants, its costs for formation of one unit of the harvest was determined; potassium balance was calculated and the effectiveness of different doses of potassium fertilizers was comprehensively assessed. It was found that the potassium content in grains and seeds of agricultural crops under the influence of potassium fertilizers varies by no more than 8%, while in straw and stalks - by 10-24% depending on the variant of the experiment. It is shown that the non-grain part of the crop contains a significant part of potassium - 50-80% of economic removal depending on the crop. It is calculated that if it is left in the field for fertilizer in the variant of the experiment Basis + K80, it compensates for the consumption of potassium by 71%. By applying K40 and K80on the basis of applying N110P60 and leaving the non-commodity part of the crop in the field for fertilizer, the balance of potassium in the soil is formed positive with intensity of 111 and 212%, respectively. According to the index of complex assessment, which takes into account seven indicators: payback of 1 kg of mineral fertilizers; additionally conditionally net profit; net energy profit; humus balance and intensity of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balance, the best variant of the experiment is application of N110P60K40 per 1 ha of field crop rotation area. This indicates the possibility of a temporary reduction in the dose of potassium fertilizers in field crop rotation on podzolic heavyloam black earth in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Effect of fertilizing systems on changing the agrochemical properties of black soil typical under using tilled crops rotation by-products as an organic fertilizer during the crop rotation

In general, the average annual loss of humus was 1.96 t/ha, 1.14 t/ha and 0.24 t/ha, respectively, for zero, first and second fertilizer levels in crop rotation, while the increase for the third level made 0.44 t/ha. At the highest fertilizer rate, total nitrogen reserves in crop rotation increased by 0.89 t/ ha. The annual application of 12 tons of manure + N95P82K72 per hectare of arable land ensured a deficit-free balance of humus in crop rotations and a slight decrease of 2.3 % of ammonia nitrogen in the arable layer over five years, which did not exceed LSD0.05. With the highest fertilizer rate, the ammonia nitrogen content in the black soil typical for five years increased by 2.0 mg/kg in total in crop rotations. The fertilizer rate of 12 t/ha of manure + N95P82K72 stabilized the mineral nitrogen content in the soil and the dose 159 of 16 t/ha of manure + N112P100K86 significantly increased the level in the crop rotation. Increase of available phosphorus content and potassium exchange in soil at the application of 12 t/ha of manure + N95P82K72 was not significant and made 1.0 mg/kg. The highest fertilizer rate significantly increased the content of these nutrients in the typical black soil arable layer. Over five years, exchange acidity at zero, first, second and third fertilizer levels decreased by 0.11, 0.10, 0.16 and 0.22, respectively, with the total for crop rotation of LSD0.05 0.12. Soil hydrolytic acidity for crop rotation at zero and first fertilizer levels increased by 0.15, and at second and third fertilizer levels – by 0.20 and 0.28 mg – eq/100g, respectively. The degree of soil saturation with the bases decreased during the rotation period at fertilized and unfertilized plots, but significant decrease was observed only at application of 16 tons of manure + N112P100K86 per hectare of arable land. The content of calcium exchange cations in the soil only decreased significantly during the rotation period when the highest fertilizer rate was applied annually. No significant deviations were found in the content of magnesium exchange cations in the soil. The crop rotations at unfertilized plots, fertilized with 8 t/ha of manure + N76P64K57, 12 t/ha of manure + N95P82K72 and 16 t/ha of manure + N112P100K86 were 2.35, 3.61; 4.77 and 5.77 t/ha dry matter respectively, 3.21; 5.04; 6.64 and 8.00 t/ ha feed units, 0.296; 0.422; 0.560 and 0.691 t/ha digestible protein at LDS0.05, 0.38; 0.51 and 0.043 t/ha, respectively. Key words: fertilizers, crop rotation, soil, crop, agrochemical properties, rotation period, yield, productivity.

Родючість землі як критерій ціннісної класифікації земель сільськогосподарського призначення

Introduction. Soil fertility is the most important parameter that reflects the ecological condition of agricultural land. The complex of interconnected and interdependent properties that determines the natural fertility has certain differences on different types of soils. The constitutional properties of soils are practically not subject to significant changes in relatively short periods of time, while the dynamic-functional ones are quite variable under the influence of anthropogenic factors. In this regard, they have a different impact on the formation of the value of agricultural land. Price is the quantitative equivalent of assessing the right to own or use land resources, and value is an integrated indicator that determines both the set of properties of land resources and their qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Therefore, taking into account the fertility of land as a criterion for the value classification of agricultural land is beyond doubt. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to prove the importance of determining the value of land classification taking into account the fertility of the soil. In this article the presentation of proposals for predictive modeling of land relations is showed. Results. Humus is an essential organic element in which the main nutrients for crops are formed and stored, and therefore humus most accurately characterizes one or another type of productive agricultural soil. It is caused due to the deficit of humus balance in the soil that the value equivalent of agricultural lands significantly decreases. The disproportionate actions of man year by year lead to the transformation of the qualitative properties of productive soils with the loss of significant particles of humus. Direct impoverishment of lands occurs due to insufficient application of organic fertilizers, excessive plowing of rural landscapes, neglect of field crop rotations, and excessive removal of nutrients by commercial crops, reduction of organic residues entering the soil, etc. Conclusions. Genetic classification of land by origin, properties and characteristics is a platform for combining their value equivalent with certain rules and regulations of sustainable productive land use. Based on this, it is appropriate to define the “genetic approach” as a way to study certain phenomena, based not only on the analysis of their genesis, but also on the features of dynamic development associated with the manifestation of ecological and economic transformations in agricultural land use.

Modelling of humus balance under different systems of basic tillage and soil fertilization in crop rotations

Over the course of 2007-2015, the department of the irrigated agriculture had been conducting research in the area of the Ingulets irrigation system on the experimental fields of the Institute of Irrigated Agriculture of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (NAAS), which were established in 1996, with the aim to develop and scientifically substantiate agroecological and technological methods for crop rotations on the irrigated lands of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine that will ensure soil fertility, increase crop productivity, economic and energetic efficiency. In 2007-2010, studies were conducted to substantiate the systems of basic tillage using different ploughing tools. The 4-field grain-row crop rotation 1 included winter wheat with post-harvest cultivation of millet, corn, soybeans and spring rape. Five studied systems of basic tillage differed in methods, techniques and the depth of soil loosening. In 2011-2015, grain-row crop rotation 2 entailed soybeans, instead of spring rape seed, and winter barley with post-harvest cultivation of millet, instead of winter wheat. Five studied systems of basic tillage differed in the depth of soil loosening and non-renewable energy costs for their implementation. Experiments were performed under conditions of two organo-mineral fertilizer systems using by-products of crop rotation, fertilizer application in doses of N75P60; N97, 5P60 and inoculation of soybeans with microbial compounds. Following crop rotations 1 and 2, a decrease in humus content within the 0-40 cm soil layer to the level of 1976, 110.2-114.4 t/ha, was observed. To prevent further decline in humus content, an optimization model was developed by capping specific weight of soybeans in short-term crop rotation 25%, stubble plowing the stem and leaf mass of crops as well as applying fertilizer quantities corresponding to the expected yields. With the help of mathematical modelling, it was determined that the retention of post-harvest plant remains in soil and the application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers increased humus content in soil used for growing rape by 0.3%, winter wheat – by 0.7%, and corn – by 0.9%.

Application of biological plant growth stimulator «Ecostym» in agricultural production

In conditions when Ukraine’s agriculture operates in a state of negative balance of humus, as well as phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients, the problems of increasing crop productivity can be solved not only by applying fertilizers and pesticides, but also by using plant growth regulators. The latter are able to activate all important processes of plant life and, according to many studies, significantly increase yields and improve grain quality. Therefore, the urgent issue today is the development of effective ways to improve sowing qualities and yield properties of seeds using modern domestic plant growth regulators, when used for pre-sowing seed treatment or in tank mixes with pesticides during the growing season. Biological growth stimulants increase the resistance of plants against diseases and pests, increase yields, reduce the content of pesticides, nitrates, heavy metals in plants, reduce losses during harvesting and storage of products. Scientists from the Institute of Agroecology and Nature Management of NAAS have experimentally proved that the new biological stimulators of plant growth by efficiency meet the best world requirements, outperform them in terms of technology, according to sanitary classification are non-toxic substances and cost an order of magnitude cheaper. The use of the biostimulator «Ecostim» improves the germination, germination energy of seed, photosynthesis of plants, stimulates root formation, growth, and development of plants, increases immunity to the disease, increases the content of proteins, sugars, vitamins, stimulates flowering of plants. It is able to increase germination energy and field germination of seeds, promotes accelerated development of a strong root system (tillering node lies 1.5–2 cm deeper), leaf surface, increases plant resistance to disease and stress factors (high and low temperatures, drought, phytotoxic effect of pesticides). Seed treatment with biological growth stimulator« Ecostim» was performed simultaneously with treatment with disinfectants. Spraying of grain crops was carried out in the phase of the end of tillering — the beginning of a booting stage, and corn, sunflower, soy — before budding. Spraying was performed using rod sprayers. It is compatible with all herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, which allows us to use it with other agents without disrupting the technological cycle and does not require additional costs. The drug has passed production testing and is has been registered by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine.

Applied Aspects of Humus Balance Modelling in the Rivne Region of Ukraine

Applied Aspects of Humus Balance Modelling in the Rivne Region of Ukraine

The role of biological means in organic agriculture

The paper shows the relevance of following the principles of an organic farming system to obtain environmentally friendly products and environmental protection. One of the important elements of organic farming is scientifically substantiated crop rotation, which ensures soil fertility. Based on the data of long-term research in the Republic of Kazakhstan, it is established that field crops, due to their biological characteristics and depending on the technological methods applied, leave different amounts of root and crop residues in the soil. According to the degree of soil enrichment with organic matter, the crops are arranged in the following sequence (in decreasing ability to structure formation): perennial legumes, winter grains, corn for grain, annual legumes, spring grains and sugar beets. The most favorable effect on light chestnut soils under irrigation conditions in the South-East of Kazakhstan is exerted by alfalfa, which accumulates up to 17 t/ha of root residues in the arable layer of soil containing more than 300 kg/ha of nitrogen, 80 kg/ha of phosphorus and 120 kg/ha of potassium. When straw 2 t/ha + manure 20 t/ha and mineral fertilizers N 20 P 60 K 60 were applied jointly on irrigated light chestnut soils in the South-East of Kazakhstan, the humus content increased by 0.30-0.39% compared to the control (without fertilizers). An increase in the amount of humus (0.61–0.70%) was observed when using straw 2 t/ha + fertilizers N 20 P 30 K 30 with green manure plowed in. In the dark chestnut soils of Western Kazakhstan, the application of 80 t/ha of manure per one rotation of a five-course grainfallow crop rotation increased the humus content by 0.23%, or 5.3 t/ha, compared to the control. The use of organic farming elements ensures a deficitfree balance of humus in the system of soil organic fertilizers – plant.