Chestnut Soils Research Articles

ЛАНДШАФТНО-ТИПОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ КЛАССИФИКАЦИЯ ПАСТБИЩНЫХ ЛАНДШАФТОВ ЗАПАДНО-КАЗАХСТАНСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ КАЗАХСТАН

Studying the floristic composition and dynamics of vegetation in pasture landscapes is of great importance. Pasture landscapes serve as a resource for livestock development, where processes of overgrazing and undergrazing, depletion of their flora, and reduced productivity of phytocenoses are currently observed. Studying the plant communities of pasture landscapes is relevant because assessing the condition of pasture landscapes and developing land management and ameliorative measures for them contribute to increasing their productivity and preserving landscapes as a whole. The natural fodder lands of the western part of the territory of the Zhanibek and Kaztal districts of the West Kazakhstan region served as the object of the study. The current state of natural pastures and hayfields has been studied, and a landscape-typological classification of pasture landscapes of the research objects has been compiled. Materials from geobotanical surveys have been analyzed. A modern landscape-typological classification of pasture landscapes has been developed, which combines 2 classes of pastures (semi-desert-steppe pastures on light-chestnut and saline soils and steppe pastures on chestnut soils), 4 subclasses of pastures (plain-flat, slightly inclined plane, slightly inclined plane with slightly dissected gully networks, gully-flat), and 14 groups of pasture landscapes, each with a brief description. Within the research objects, 14 groups of pasture landscapes have been identified with descriptions of characteristic plant communities and predominant soils. Natural pasture landscapes have been studied using field and satellite methods. It is recommended to use them as summer-autumn-spring pastures for coarse-haired and fine-haired sheep breeds, large horned cattle, horses, and saigas, and as winter pastures for horses and saigas.

Changes in humus content on the territory of agricultural lands in the Issyk-Kul basin of Kyrgyzstan

The Issyk-Kul valley of Kyrgyzstan has very large diversity of soil types which is developed by complex of abiotic and biotic factors including mountain-valley landscapes and different climatic conditions. We found that there is a process of significant loss of humus content in almost all studied areas of the Issyk-Kul region, both in the upper and lower layers of the soil. The humus content has been significantly decreased in the upper layer of valley soils during the past four decades. Among them, mountain-valley chestnut and dark chestnut soils, represented in the Issyk-Kul region, showed themselves to be the most depleted. Here, the difference in humus content between the top arable and non-arable layers is 40%. More stable humus content is shown in the mountain light chestnut and mountain-valley light brown soils, presented in certain areas of the Ton, Ak-Suu and Tyup districts. Apparently significant decrease in the humus content in chestnut soils is associated with intensive long-term anthropogenic use, including non-compliance with agrotechnical standards.

The vitality of individuals and the vital structure of coenopopulations of Tulipa biebersteiniana Schult. et Schult. fil. (Liliaceae) on the Ergeni Upland

Vital spectra are one of the most biologically important population characteristics. Currently, the study of the vital signs of rare species, which include the object of study Tulipa biebersteiniana Schult. et Schult. fil. (Liliaceae), is becoming increasingly actual. This work is devoted to the study of the vitality of specimens and the vital structure of coenopopulations of T. biebersteiniana in different parts of the Ergeni Upland. The study was carried out during two growing seasons (2022‒2023) in five coenopopulations from different plant communities confined to light chestnut soils of varying degrees of salinity. The vitality of specimens in the studied coenopopulations of T. biebersteiniana, estimated by the IVI index, varied widely – from 0.448 to 1.686. At the same time, the difference between the maximum values of individual vitality of specimens in most coenopopulations was greater in the second year of the study. The vitality values of the studied T. biebersteiniana cenopopulations, expressed by the IVC index, ranged from 0.800 to 1.270, which is consistent with the data provided in the literature. The dynamics of the values of the vitality index of T. biebersteiniana coenopopulations revealed a clinal character, increasing from the northern to the southern part of the Ergeni Upland. The highest values of the vitality index in the coenopopulations of T. biebersteiniana in the southern part of the Ergeni indicate the most favorable conditions for realizing the potential of the species in this part of the upland. The conditions of the second year of research, which were wetter and with a higher temperature during the period of plant growth and development, contributed to an increase in the vitality of both specimens and coenopopulations of T. biebersteiniana. The studied coenopopulations of T. biebersteiniana belonged to the vital type “prosperous”.

Эколого-географический анализ жужелиц интразональных биотопов Юго-Восточного Предкавказья

In the steppe zone of the Southeastern Pre-Caucasus, mainly on light chestnut soils, salt marshes are widespread. They are inhabited by a very characteristic and peculiar fauna of ground beetles, associated in their development with saline soils. However, to date, there are very few special scientific studies devoted to ground beetles of saline biotopes of the studied territory of the Eastern Caucasus, the study of their ecology and biology, which determined the purpose of research aimed at solving the above problems. Registration of the population composition of halophilic herpetobiont ground beetles, population dynamics, ecological structure and geographical analysis were studied. In the course of the study, an analysis of the ecological and zoogeographic characteristics of ground beetles was carried out, the ratio of different species of ground beetles of the Southeastern Caucasus was revealed. It has been specified that some species can serve as an indicator of the presence of salt marshes. Halophilic complexes of ground beetles of the steppe zone (the studied region) are currently under constant threat of human destruction. The floodplains in the lower reaches of the Kuma, the Sulak and other steppe rivers are actively exterminated, which naturally leads to the depletion of the salt marsh fauna of ground beetles, the original representatives of halophytic stations disappear – Scarites angustus Chaud., Clivina laevifrons Chaud., Dyschirius pusillus Dej., Bembidion quadriplagiatum Motsch., B. normannum Dej., Pogonus reticulatus Schaum., P. cumanus Lutschn and other.

The state of natural resources of the West Kazakhstan region (1990s – early 2000s)

The purpose of the study was to analyze the state of natural resources in the West Kazakhstan region during the 1990s to the early 2000s. The ecological condition of the region’s natural resources remains one of its most pressing issues, necessitating regular monitoring. Analysis of official data sources revealed that the socio-economic development of the region coincided with the establishment and operation of large industrial and construction enterprises, leading to adverse effects on the region’s natural environment. Monitoring of arable land in areas with dark chestnut soils indicated a continued loss of humus during this period. Presence of nitrates and high permanganate oxidizability suggested the presence of organic compounds linked to the decomposition of heptyl rocket fuel. Disease patterns indicated that populations in the southern areas of the region experienced high chemical burdens alongside radiation exposure. Furthermore, the article addresses concerns regarding the state of forest resources and wildlife, with authors highlighting a significant risk of natural resource contamination by industrial waste from heavy industries in the region.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПРЕДПОСЕВНОЙ ИНОКУЛЯЦИИ СЕМЯН И ВНЕКОРНЕВОГО ВНЕСЕНИЯ ПРЕПАРАТОВ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО ЗЕРНА СОИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ОРОШЕНИЯ ДОЖДЕВАНИЕМ В НИЖНЕМ ПОВОЛЖЬЕ

Purpose: to determine the effect of pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar application of drugs on the productivity and quality of the resulting soybean grain at various water availability under irrigation. The use of a biological preparation as an, inoculant which contributed to the growth of the necessary nodule bacteria on the root system of a given crop and, as a result, carried out the symbiosis of a legume plant, for the assimilation of nitrogen from the air and its conversion into a mineral compound in the soil. Materials and methods. Studies of this technique were conducted on light chestnut soils of the Volgograd region with a medium-ripened variety of own selection Volgogradka 2, bred by the All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Agriculture. The laying of experiments and related observations were carried out according to generally accepted methods for two years 2022–2023 on the lands of the All-Russian Research Institute of Irrigated Agriculture (experimental station “Irrigated”, Vodny settlement, Volgograd). Results. The obtained data prove the advantage of pre-sowing inoculation of seeds under different water regimes of this crop. At the same time, the increase in the yield of soybean grain, depending on such pre-sowing treatment, exceeded the control option by 0.40 t/ha under the water regime of 70-80-70 % the lowest moisture capacity and 0.54 t/ha not lower than 80% the lowest moisture capacity. Conclusions. In the conducted studies, the best option proved to be the option with a pre-watering soil moisture threshold of 80% the lowest moisture capacity in moisture layers of 0.4 and 0.6 m and pre-sowing inoculation of seeds in combination with leaf spraying with preparations of various origins, which contributed to a maximum yield of 3.91 t/ha and a profitability level of 242.10 %.

ВОДОПОТРЕБЛЕНИЕ, УРОЖАЙНОСТЬ И КАЧЕСТВО ЛУКА РЕПЧАТОГО В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ГУМИНОВЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ ПРИ КАПЕЛЬНОМ ПОЛИВЕ В САРАТОВСКОМ ЗАВОЛЖЬЕ

Purpose: to study the features of humic fertilizer impact on water consumption, yield and quality of onions under drip irrigation in the dry-steppe zone of Saratov Trans-Volga region. Materials and methods. Field studies were carried out on dark chestnut soils in 2019–2022. The objects of the study were the zoned Chalcedony variety and fertilizers based on humic acids. Related observations and studies of water consumption, productivity formation and yield quality were carried out using generally accepted methods. Results. Research has shown that when maintaining a drip irrigation regime, which involves watering when soil moisture is reduced to 80 % of the lowest moisture capacity in the 0–30 cm layer, the total water consumption of onions on average over the years of the study amounted to 4102 cub. m/ha, average daily – 31 cub. m/ha. The humic fertilizer application contributed to a more economical use of moisture and irrigation water, as evidenced by a decrease in the water consumption coefficient by 7.1–23.3 %, and the cost of irrigation water to form a unit of marketable output by 15.9–24.0 %. Humic fertilizers also provided a significant yield increase – 4.9–15.31 t/ha (10–31 % higher than the control – without fertilizers). Conclusions: the humic fertilizer application, which have stimulating and adaptogenic features, when growing onions under the arid conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region with drip irrigation, is an effective technique that ensures more economical use of water resources and increases the yield of one of the leading vegetable crops – onions.

Агрофизические, технологические и климатические факторы, определяющие урожайность зерна яровой пшеницы в Заволжье

Purpose: to determine the share influence of agrophysical, technological, climatic factors and soil moisture on spring wheat grain yield in the arid conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region based on a complete correlation analysis of long-term field data. Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, an experiment with basic tillage with various implements according to the following scheme, was carried out: A₀ – with PLN-8-35 plow at 23–25 cm (control); A₁ – with plow PBS-10P at 23–25 cm; A₂ – with deep ripper SSD-4 (2017–2020), chisel plow PChM-4 (2021–2022) at 30–32 cm; A₃ – with a disk header BDM 7×3 PPKShKS at 10–12 cm. The research was carried out over a period of six years using generally accepted methods. Results. A complete correlation analysis of long-term data showed that the most significant influence on the spring wheat yield in the Trans-Volga region is exerted by precipitation during the growing season (24.1 %) and the hydrothermal coefficient (23.6 %). Air temperature determined this indicator by only 12.5 %. The share influence on the yield of soil density in the 10–30 cm layer was 2.9 %. The moisture content of the upper half-meter soil layer during the spring wheat tillering phase determined the yield by 14.8 %, and the lower one (50–100 cm) by 15.6 %. Conclusions. On average, over six years, the maximum yield of spring wheat Albidum 32 variety was obtained in variants with plowing (PBS-10P and PLN-8-35): 1.16 and 1.17 t/ha. Non-mouldboard cultivation with a deep ripper and chisel plow reduced this indicator by 8.5 %. Treatment of dark chestnut soil with a disk header reduced the spring wheat grain yield by 24.8 % relative to the control.

Биоаугментация нефтезагрязненных почв

In a field experiment, the high efficiency of the in situ bioaugmentation method was demonstrated using three biological products (Putidoil, Arkoil and Multibak Asset) to clean up the territory in the Volgograd region 6 years after an emergency oil spill. The use of these biologics allowed for 4 months of treatment to reduce the concentration of petroleum products in chestnut soil (initially from 5,100 to 5,500 mg /kg) by 72.2-98.6%. The best results were obtained at the site treated with Putidoil biologics, where the concentration of petroleum products decreased from 5,500 to 699 mg/kg by the end of the season. Detoxification of oil-contaminated soils with the help of biological products to ensure an environmentally safe soil condition. Keywords: OIL PRODUCTS, CHESTNUT SOIL, BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS, PUTIDOIL, ARCOIL, MULTIBAS ACTIVE, BITOAUGMENTATION, GRAVIMETRIC METHOD

Flora synopsis of the “Kamenny lake tract” natural monument (Kostanay region)

The article presents the results of the floristic diversity study of the state natural monument of local significance ‒ “Kamenny lake tract” with a total area of 2.5 hectares. According to natural conditions, this territory is included in the subzone of arid forb-feather grass steppes on low-humus southern chernozems and dark chestnut soils, plowed up to 80%. Under the birch forest soils are dark gray, loamy, and sandy; on slopes they are leached chernozem; near-shore soils are meadow-marsh soils. The studies were carried out in 2019-2022. On the basis of field studies, five main ecotopes were identified: shrub thickets on slopes, birch forest on steep slopes, upland meadows with shrub thickets, meadow-marsh communities on coasts, and meadow-steppe communities. A synopsis containing species’ habitat information within the specially protected natural area was compiled. In the study area, the total list of higher vascular plants includes 177 species from 48 families and 132 genera. The leading families areAsteraceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Caryophyllaceae. The basis of the flora is herbaceous plants, followed by woody, aquatic plants. The steppe ecological-coenotic group is the richest by the volume of species. In the flora of the “Kamenny lake tract” a large proportion of species has significant extent areas: cosmopolitan, holarctic, and palearctic. The holarctic and palearctic types are the largest number of species. The Red Book of Kazakhstan species in the study area areAdonis wolgensis, Stipa pennata, and Tulipa biebersteiniana.

Efficiency of microbiological fertilizers when cultivating open ground tomato crops in the Volgograd region

It has been established that the use of microbiological fertilizers Azotovit and Phosphatovit during flat-cut tillage to a depth of 0.25-0.27 m on light chestnut soil ensures an increase in the content of Azotobacter up to 96.6% and an increase in the yield of tomato crops by 5.6 t/ha.

Динамика сроков наступления вегетационного периода по природно-почвенным зонам Алтайского края за 1955–2020 годы

Global climate changes observed over recent decades have determined the need for more detailed studies of agrometeorological indicator dynamics affecting biological agrophytocenoses productivity; it is important to identify the features of their manifestations in a specific area. Altai region is characterized by a wide range of natural environments due to the combination of lowland and mountainous areas that accumulate and redistribute solar radiation and precipitation on the Earth’s surface to varying extents. One of the key agroclimatic indicators is the length of the growing season, particularly its onset in spring. Research focuses on assessing the dynamics of the onset of the growing season in time (the time span of studies is 1955-2020) and predicting the onset of the growing season for natural zones in the future. To identify a possible shift in the onset dates of the growing season for specific natural zones over a long-term period, we devised two time groups (1955-1990 and 1991-2020) in accordance with the observations from the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It was revealed that in the zone of chestnut soils of dry steppes, on average for 1955-1990 and 1991-2020, there was a shift in the onset of the growing season to an earlier date, particularly 9 days earlier. The zone of chernozems in the arid and moderately arid steppe, as well as the zone of chernozems of leached and gray forest soils in the middle forest-steppe, podzolized and leached, dark gray and gray forest soils in the foothills of the Salair ridge, demonstrate a shift in the onset of the growing season by 7-8 days earlier. Low dynamics during the onset of the growing season (5 days only) were observed in the zone of chernozems of the foothill plains, foothills, and low mountains of Altai in two subzones: chernozems of the meadow steppe of the foothills and low mountains of Altai and chernozems of typical and leached meadow steppe of the foothills of Altai.

DYNAMICS OF FERTILITY INDICATORS OF LIGHT-CHESTNUT SOIL AND OIL FLAX PRODUCTIVITY UNDER BOGARIAN CONDITIONS OF SOUTHEAST KAZAKHSTAN

The suitable research aims to ascertain the optimum dose of mineral fertilizers and methods of soil processing and preparation for successful flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivation in the semi-arid conditions of the Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, focusing on achieving high crop productivity with good seed quality. Agrochemical investigations also employed modern devices and widely accepted methods. Studying parameters, such as total humus, labile humus, nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, soil composition density, structural-aggregate composition, and moisture supply, ensued using specific techniques. The study observed an enhancement in nitrate nitrogen content in the soil, from an initial level of 11–19 mg/kg to 36–91 mg/kg during flax harvest in all experimental variants. On the contrary, the mobile phosphorus exhibited a decline in the soil from the beginning of crop vegetation until harvest; however, determining the available phosphorus in different practices showed medium, high, higher, and very high. Moreover, a decline in exchangeable potassium content (from 344–446 mg/kg to 175–215 mg/kg) emerged during the flax crop across all the experimental variants. The application of mineral fertilizers NPK at the rate of 60:60:30, with the application of a growth regulator Ecorost at the rate of 2 liters per ton of seeds, and employing a flatcut treatment (10–12 cm) on light chestnut soil in the semi-arid zone with super dry season of Almaty Region, resulted in the highest flax yield in cv. Karabalykskaya (410 kg/ha

On the Formation of Ecologically Balanced Agrolandscapes in the Dry-steppe Zone of Chestnut Soils

Background: Intensive agricultural technologies without proper scientific support violate the existing natural balance, both in landscapes and in agricultural landscapes and lead to soil degradation and often to desertification of large areas. Research in areas of insufficient moisture, the most environmentally vulnerable due to the growth of anthropogenic load and the use of unbalanced agricultural technologies, are very relevant. Methods: This study assessed the ecological balance of three agrolandscapes in the dry-steppe zone of chestnut soils of Volgograd region (objects “Ch”, “I” and “U”) formed under the influence of direct seeding, classical (mouldboard) and combined agricultural technologies. Result: As a result of the research the system of direct, indirect and integrated assessment of the state of agricultural landscapes for conditions of insufficient moisture was developed. The average score of object “Ch” had 2.3 points, which corresponds to weak balance, object “I” - 2.9 points or medium balance and object “U” - 3.6 points or relatively balanced agrolandscape. The results show that the formation of ecologically balanced agrolandscapes in the dry-steppe zone should be carried out according to specific developed parameters-requirements.

MODERN ASSESSMENT OF FERTILITY OF DARK CHESTNUT SOILS OF KAMYSTINSKY DISTRICT OF KOSTANAY REGION

The article presents the results of a study on the morphological, nutritional characteristics of arable dark chestnut soils in the Kamystinsky district of the Kostanay region. According to the structure of the morphological profile, dark chestnut soils belonged to medium and low thickness types, where the thickness of the humus horizon A + B1 is noted within the range of 29 - 45 cm in depth. The accumulation of carbonates and ready soluble salts depends on the parent rocks and the grain-size distribution of dark chestnut soils. In dark chestnut immature soil, there are no carbonates along the soil profile, but gypsum is found at a depth of 36 cm. The line of bubbling from hydrochloric acid is different in ordinary and carbonate genus of dark chestnut soil. The humus content is low, in the plough-layer of soils it ranges 1.10 - 3.05%, the supply of nitrate nitrogen is very low, moving forms of phosphorus are medium and low, while potassium content is very high and elevated.

Transformation of soil and plant pastures cover of light chestnut soils in to sandy soils of kochubey biosphere station

The transformation of the vegetation cover of pasture landscapes is the result of the interaction of climatic, ecological, physiological and anthropogenic environmental factors. The result of the dependence of the conservation of species in the vegetation cover, especially forage plants, on the influence of these factors and the determination of their variability and stability in pasture ecosystem communities is relevant for production and science. As a result of a long-term study (more than 10 years) of the soil and vegetation cover of pasture landscapes on different soils and sands of the Kochubey Biosphere Station (KBS), especially under the conditions of anthropogenic impact, it was revealed that weeds adapt well to new conditions, stable populations of non-forage plants are created, causing deflation and degradation. The floristic composition and ecological and coenotic characteristics of the dominant plant species were studied on light chestnut sandy loamy soils and sands. The rapid change of indigenous species of plant communities formed in the conditions of a continental climate indicates a high mobility of vegetation. The species diversity and occurrence of plant species characterize the qualitative difference between the compared soils (light chestnut, sandy loam and sand). The described syntaxa reflect the directions of natural and anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation of light chestnut soils and sandy massifs of the KBS, which are characterized by a change in the composition of the prevailing life forms, a decrease in the role of valuable forage plant species and an increase in the diversity of annual non-forage species, without changing their species diversity. The landscape dynamics of the KBS territory is expressed in the transformation of the relief and vegetation cover under the influence of eolian processes with an increase in the projective cover and overgrowth of mobile landforms of sand massifs.

Influence of weather conditions on the productive potential of pasture ecosystems in the south of Russia (Based on artificially created models)

For the rational use of degraded pastures and the fight against desertification, it is necessary to apply phytomelioration of territories more widely. The most effective will be the use of communities consisting of shrubs, semi-shrubs and perennial grasses. To identify on this further, the study was conducted at the experimental sites of the Agroecology Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the period from 2019 to 2022. In this study, artificially created models of long-term pasture ecosystems were utilized. In the arid conditions of the south of Russia, weather conditions had the greatest impact on the productivity of the created pasture models (share of influence is 81-85%), while the yield of dry fodder mass of the herbaceous-semi-shrub layer varied from 1.2 to 3.9 t/ha, depending on the seasonality of the pasture and the composition of the soil substrate. The highest yield of phytomass is formed on pastures created on a chernozem-like sandy loam substrate (humus horizon of chernozem-like sandy loam soil) on spring-summer pastures, the yield increase is 33% higher compared to spring-summer pastures on a light chestnut sandy substrate (a product of Aeolian processing of light chestnut soil). On all types of pastures, groups of cereals were leading in terms of biomass. Analysis of the multiple regression equation between the phytomass yield of model pastures (y3), temperature (x1) and precipitation of the warm period (x2) on pastures with a chernozem–like soil substrate showed that the multiple correlation coefficient R = 0.96 - this states a close relationship between the effective indicator and two factors. The multiple determination coefficient R2 = 0.98 means that 98% of the variation in the phytomass yield level is taken into account by the regression equation and 2% is accounted for by unaccounted factors on a light chestnut sandy substrate. The moderate correlation dependence of the yield of the fodder mass of model pastures (y3) on a plot with a light chestnut sandy substrate on the temperature in the warm period (x1), the component (r=0.52) indicates a significant effect on the yield of precipitation of the warm period (x2) with r=0.94.

TRANSFORMATION OF QUALITY AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION OF MINERAL PHOSPHATES IN LIGHT CHESTNUT SOIL DURING LONG-TERM APPLICATION OF PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZERS IN CROP RATOTAION AND PERMENANT SUGAR BEET SOWING

The article presents the results of studies on the influence of long-term application of phosphoric fertilizers on sugar beet crops unchallenged for more than 50 years on the transformation of phosphate forms on light chestnut soil and its productivity in comparison with the identical options in the rotation.
 Despite the large amount of practical material, the effect of the duration of application of phosphorus fertilizers on irrigated soils in Kazakhstan has not been sufficiently studied. The available isolated data on the influence of the duration of fertilizer application relate to the aspect of assessing their impact on the yield and quality of the crop and, partly, on the phosphate regime of soils. Most of the studies were carried out within the framework of short-term field experiments, which are designed, first of all, to establish specific doses of fertilizers on the productivity of agricultural crops. These field studies were carried out on a fairly narrow background and time frame of variation in soil fertility characteristics, which did not allow us to establish the qualitative and quantitative composition of phosphates and their functional relationship between the level of potential and effective fertility.

Sulfur in Nonirrigated and Irrigated Chestnut Soils and Evaluation of Increasing Doses of Sulfur Fertilizers (with NPK) for Potatoes

Sulfur in Nonirrigated and Irrigated Chestnut Soils and Evaluation of Increasing Doses of Sulfur Fertilizers (with NPK) for Potatoes

Identification of Microbial Populations Present in Agricultural and Nonarable Soils in the Talas Valley, Northern Kyrgyzstan, in Autumn

Soil bacterial and fungal communities were investigated in relation to soil type and farm management practices after vegetation harvesting in autumn. Soils from fields cultivated with Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and Pyrus comminus (pear) and nonarable, natural areas were studied. Microbial diversity was analysed using cultivation-dependent methods (isolation of pure cultures) and cultivation-independent methods (direct extraction of DNA from soil, followed by PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes). The use of cultivation-dependent methods revealed that there were no differences in the biodiversity of the soil bacterial and fungal communities between fields cultivated with bean plants and pear trees. However, the use of cultivation-independent methods showed that there were clear soil and crop type-specific effects on the composition of the soil bacterial and fungal communities. The density of the bacterial population was two times higher in northern mountain-valley serozem (NMVS) soil samples than in light chestnut (LC) soil samples. In contrast, the densities of the fungal communities were almost equal in the studied soil types. The density of the actinomycetes community was almost two times higher in LC soil than in NMVS soil under bean plants. The Shannon index values showed that the bacterial biodiversity in the NMVS soil samples was greater than that in the LC soil samples. Soils under fallow appeared to have diverse bacterial communities that mainly consisted of local autochthonous microflora and a small amount of zymogenic microflora (since fresh plant residue does not enter the soil). The Shannon index results revealed two interesting facts: (1) the soil bacterial community was highly diverse in soils that supported bean plants and (2) the soil fungal biodiversity was high under pear trees in both soil types.