Characteristics Of Soil Cover Research Articles

Provision of remote methods for estimating soil salinity on meliorated lands

The proposed methodological recommendation on the ground support of remote methods for assessing salinization of soil in reclaimed lands is devoted to the operational monitoring of salinity of reclaimed lands. The assessment and forecasting of cotton yield in the Hungry Steppe and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, by direct signs of determining salinity at farms, a separate irrigated plot, based on remote information (aerial and space photography - APS and KFS). The task of the under investigations study is visual assessment of soil salinity level by indirect signs: condition of crops, fall of plants, salt bloom, etc. The results of the established check are recorded in the field journal. Salinity map with salinity contours; slightly saline, moderately saline and strongly saline soils are created based on the studied research materials. Number and location of the main sites for determination of soil salinity features are determined on the basis of analysis of the research materials determined with involvement of other available materials on the soil cover characteristics. Classification of soils according to the degree of salinity is carried out according to the formula WP = PVU + VJp; WP = 51.42 - 96.28 Jp ± 1.12 g ha-1. It is presented in Table 2 for Amu-Darya lower reaches (Khorezm province and the Republic of Karakalpakstan), where + Y - yield calculation; PVU - maximum yield. This program is designed for use in the educational process during practical lessons on agricultural reclamation directions.

The influence of trees and shrubs vegetation of sheltered forest strips on the characteristics of the steppe soil cover

The soil in forest plantations is in constant close interaction with woody and shrubby plants. It acts as a determining factor in creating optimal conditions for the existence of natural and artificially created forest communities. Modern steppe afforestation has a number of unresolved questions regarding the nature and degree of influence of tree-shrub vegetation on the soil typical for the steppe zone – ordinary chernozem, and the feasibility of creating tree-shrub ecosystems of various practical importance in the steppe conditions of Ukraine. The paper presents the results of the study of the impact of tree and shrub vegetation of forest strips on their soil cover. The content of humus, exchangeable and hydrolytic acidity of soils, acidity of salt extract from the soil in the soils of forest belts were determined іn the edaphotops of five forest strips created on the territory of the Prysamarsky International Biosphere Reserve, located in the village of Andriivka, Novomoskovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk region. The obtained data were compared with the similar results of measurements of the soil indicators of a typical for the study region of the site of the variegated-grassy-grassy-cobaceous steppe. A comparison of the humus content in the soil under tree plantations of forest strips and steppe virgin lands confirms the theory of a positive relevant effect of the forest on steppe soils and the formation of forest-improved chernozems under tree plantations in steppe conditions. The exchangeable acidity of the soils of the forest strips ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 mg-eq. per 100 g of soil, and the value of hydrolytic acidity was from 0.52 to 2.11 mg-eq. per 100 g of soil, and the maximum values ​​of both types of acidity were noted in the 20–50 cm horizon of the PP 224 oak plantation. The obtained characteristics of the soil cover of forest strips will be useful for clarifying the directions and features of the influence of tree-shrub vegetation on ordinary chernozem in the conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine and can serve as valid arguments in making decisions regarding the creation of field-protective tree-shrub plantations within the steppe zone of Ukraine.

Study of the dynamics of herbs productivity based on long-term monitoring data

The paper shows methods for studying the data bank for monitoring the yield of grasses within the agrolandscape. Monitoring of the yield of different-aged (1, 2 and 3 years of use) grass legumes was carried out in 2001-2019 at an agroecological test site located within a finite moraine hill at permanent sampling points on a transect that crosses all the main micropositions of the agricultural landscape. The influence of the features of various landscape structures (slopes of different exposure, landscape plots within their limits and the variegation of the soil cover) on the dynamics of grass yield was studied. The data array was processed using the methods of Variable Components Analysis, principal components, and correlation analysis. It is shown that the productivity of grasses is reliably influenced by the features of the landscape, agroclimatic conditions of the year and the age of the grass stand. The formation of the spatial variegation of the herb yield is most influenced by the nature of the soil cover (≈ 21 %), to a lesser extent by the features of individual parts of the slopes (≈ 17 %). It was found that with the aging of the herbage, there is a noticeable increase in the influence of exposure (from 3.4 to 8.0 %) and microlandscape (from 16 to 22 %) factors on the spatial variability of their productivity, and a decrease in the influence of soil cover characteristics (from 24 to 18 %). It was revealed that the dynamics of agroclimatic parameters noticeably affects only the dependence of the variegated yield on the exposure factor. An attempt has been made to divide the years of research by the nature of the dynamics of the yield of grasses into agro climatically homogeneous groups. It has been determined that different groups of observation years differ in productivity and in the nature of its spatio-temporal variability, as well as in the factors that determine them and in the conditions that affect these factors. This makes, when predicting the yield of grasses of different ages, to create mathematical models of its dependence on landscape conditions for different time clusters.

Evidence for relationship between carbon storage and surface cover characteristics of soil in rangelands

Carbon storage (CS) and consequently carbon sequestration by plants is the most natural and least expensive method for atmospheric CO2 mitigation. Areas with high CS potential should be identified, maintained and subject to investment. CS depends strongly on status of vegetation and soil surface cover characteristics. Therefore, the objectives of the present study was an assessment of the relationship between aridisols CS and characteristics of soil cover in some plant types in western rangelands of Isfahan in Iran. Three different plant types including Scariola orientalis-Astragalus gossypinus, Hordeum fragile-Astragalus gossypinus and Cousinia bachtiarica-Astragalus gossypinus were identified. Then, some sampling plots were placed along the four transects in each plant type, which were placed obliquely to the general and the lateral slope of the region. Plants' characteristics and soil surface characteristics were recorded. The soil samples were taken along transects at depths of 0–20 and 20–75 cm. Soil samples were transferred to the soil laboratory and analysed. The results demonstrated that the soil carbon storge (SCS) is different between three plant types. SCS in Sc. or-As. go, Ho.fr-As. go and Co. ba-As.go plant types were 340, 182 and 173 kg/ha, respectivly. Moreover, there was a positive and significant relationship (R2 = 0.88|0.42, p < 0.01) between coverage and density of shrubby species and soil surface gravel with amount of CS.

Экологическая и санитарно-бактериологическая характеристика почвенного покрова города Братска

Экологическая и санитарно-бактериологическая характеристика почвенного покрова города Братска

Hydrological modeling of urban catchment using semi-distributed model

The SWAT2012 model was applied to the Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, India for modeling of the hydrological parameters response on urban runoff. The model was calibrated and validated from the period of 1979–2013 using SUFI-2 algorithm of soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model. Transferability options of the discharge data were investgated to estimate ungauged catchment runoff. Regionalization of the hydrological model parameters method used for transferring data from the donor catchment (Mandleshwar catchment) to the area of interest. The parameters considered for regionalizations are slope of the watershed, soil cover characteristics of the watershed and land use of the watershed. The calibrated and validated cofficient of determination (R2) of monthly runoff values are 0.54 and 0.57 for the period of 1979–2000 and 2001–2013, respectively and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency for the same period is 0.53–0.57 respectively. Result showed that the model parameters transferred according to the above criteria performs well on the Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, India. therefore, SWAT model is an important tool to estimate the water balance systems of the ungauged catchments.

Petromagnetic Characteristics of Soils in the Affected Area of Stepnovskiy Underground Gas Storage Facility (Saratov Region, Russia)

This research is focused on petromagnetic characteristics and features of their spatial distribution in the soil cover in the area of Stepnovskiy underground gas storage facility. Particular attention is paid to the measurement values of the magnetic susceptibility of soil particle size fractions, in parallel to determining the acid-base indicator and the redox potential of the latter. The obtained results led to the assumption of the possible impact on the changes in petromagnetic characteristics of soil cover. Magnetic zonality of soils determined their confinedness either to geological and structural features of Stepnovskiy in Devonian sediments or to spatial boundaries of the current gas content contours. It is possible that such magnetic susceptibility of soils in the grounds of Stepnovskiy is determined by active geochemical processes, which mobilize mineral soil matrix to form a complex of autogenous ferruginous minerals. Emanation methane flows from the geological strata used for gas pumping and underground storage are of particular value in this case. This paper focuses on possible transformation of minerals and their magnetic and mineralogical parameters of different chestnut soil layers under the impact of gas and fluid drainage from the subjacent gas storage facility.

Application of composite compost resulted in changes of the agrochemical properties of ordinary chernozem and winter wheat productivity in Western Ciscaucasia

It was shown that the application of composite compost to the arable layer of ordinary chernozem in the conditions of Krasnodar krai promotes an increase in the content of organic substance, ammonia nitrogen, and mobile phosphorus and, thereby, preservation of soil fertility. The change of the agrochemical properties of ordinary chernozem influenced the productivity of winter wheat. For 3 years of researches, the average increase in a crop was approximately 6.0 centners/ha (9.8%) as compare to control. A close dependence of the biological yield of the grain of winter wheat on some chemical characteristics of soil cover caused by application of composite compost was revealed.

Application of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict the impact of alternative management practices on water quality and quantity

Alternative land management practices such as conservation or no-tillage, contour farming, terraces, and buffer strips are increasingly used to reduce nonpoint source and water pollution resulting from agricultural activities. Models are useful tools to investigate effects of such management practice alternatives on the watershed level. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the sensitivity of such models to parameters used to represent these conservation practices. Knowledge about the sensitivity to these parameters would help models better simulate the effects of land management. Hence, this paper presents in the first step a sensitivity analysis for conservation management parameters (specifically tillage depth, mechanical soil mixing efficiency, biological soil mixing efficiency, curve number, Manning's roughness coefficient for overland flow, USLE support practice factor, and filter strip width) in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). With this analysis we aimed to improve model parameterisation and calibration efficiency. In contrast to less sensitive parameters such as tillage depth and mixing efficiency we parameterised sensitive parameters such as curve number values in detail. In the second step the analysis consisted of varying management practices (conventional tillage, conservation tillage, and no-tillage) for different crops (spring barley, winter barley, and sugar beet) and varying operation dates. Results showed that the model is very sensitive to applied crop rotations and in some cases even to small variations of management practices. But the different settings do not have the same sensitivity. Duration of vegetation period and soil cover over time was most sensitive followed by soil cover characteristics of applied crops.

Crop changes from the XVI century to the present in a hill/mountain area of eastern Liguria (Italy)

BackgroundChronological information on the composition and structure of agrocenoses and detailed features of land cover referring to specific areas are uncommon in ethnobotanical studies, especially for periods before the XIX century. The aim of this study was to analyse the type of crop or the characteristics of soil cover from the XVI century to the present.MethodsThis diachronic analysis was accomplished through archival research on the inventories of the Parish of St. Mary and those of the Municipality of Pignone and from recent surveys conducted in an area of eastern Liguria (Italy).ResultsArchival data revealed that in study area the primary means of subsistence during the last five centuries, until the first half of the XX century, was chestnuts. In the XVIII and XIX centuries, crop diversification strongly increased in comparison with previous and subsequent periods. In more recent times, the abandonment of agricultural practices has favoured the re-colonisation of mixed woodland or cluster-pine woodland.ConclusionAncient documents in the ecclesiastic or municipal inventories can be a very useful tool for enhancing the knowledge of agricultural practice, as well as of subsistence methods favoured by local populations during a particular time and for reconstructing land use change over time.

Introduction of White Clover for Herbage Production and Nitrogen Fixation in the Hilly Areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract Agricultural sustainability problems related to soil erosion and fertility depletion have arisen throughout the agro-ecological zone of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Introduction and exploitation of clover is predicted to be beneficial and useful under these conditions because of its potential for herbage production, N2 fixation, and soil cover characteristics. A 1-year field study with a local ecotype of white clover was carried out. Vegetative growth, herbage yield, nitrogen (N) uptake, and soil N content were investigated. Additionally, Rhizobia infestation was studied by isolating Rhizobia in culture media. The annual herbage yield (fresh fodder) of clover, and of clover and grass mixture harvested twice during the season was 7–15 t/ha while dry matter production was 3–6 t/ha. Protein content of white clover was 16% as compared to 5% in the indigenous grass species, demonstrating the superior feed value of white clover. The development of Rhizobium colonies in the culture media and the presen...

The change in soil cover on the exposed bed of the Aral Sea

Desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to the formation of new soil cover on the exposed seabed. Investigation of the newly formed dry land is very important since it is a source of dust storms and salts transferred to long distances. A soil map of the exposed seabed for 2000 has been produced on the basis of the map for the year 1990 (Institute of Soil Science, Uzbekistan), satellite images, and selected field observations of groundwater table. During the period 1990–2000, the sea recessed 20–32 km, thus changing the soil cover characteristics. The maps of soil cover with the detailed information on soil textures, the characterization of soil types, the soil formation trends, and the changes in soil types during the sea recession process are available. Attention has been paid to erosion tendencies and susceptibility to dust and salt transfers. As a whole, the soil cover was formed as a result of the replacement of excessive wetlands (salt-marsh), located in the form of strip along the sea, by hydromorphic and semi-hydromorphic, semi-automorphic and automorphic soils. The drying seabed has complicated lithological and morphologic composition. The territory of the exposed seabed is characterized by different hydrological conditions. Groundwater depth varies from 0.5 to 10 m. With the shore's recession, the water storage groundwater is approaching the surface. With general tendency towards desertification, the initial soil cover changes. The soils that did not reach the complete genetic formation, under the influence of quickly changing hydrogeological conditions, are transformed into the other types and subtypes. Often, while becoming dry, they are self-destructed and change into sands. Currently, the following types of soils are observed on the exposed seabed: automorphic solonchaks, semi-automorphic solonchaks, semi-hydromorphic solonchaks, hydromorphic solonchaks, desert sandy soils, sands.

Intensive infiltrometer studies on a plowed big sagebrush site

Intensive infiltrometer studies were made over a 4-year period on a plowed big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata) site in southern Idaho. Results of the study indicate there was a natural decay in absorptive capabilities of surface soils due to the plowing treatment. The apparent result of grazing was not to reduce the minimal infiltration capacities measured on the respective site, but rather to eliminate seasonal trends so that infiltration rates were at the low end of the scale throughout the year. Grazing did not increase sediment production potentials beyond the increases expected as a result of mechanical disturbance associated with plowing. Attempts at predicting infiltration rates and potential sediment production indicated that easily measured soil cover characteristics do not adequately reflect the potential (actual) hydrologic performance of a big sagebrush site which has been grossly modified by activity such as plowing or grazing.