Soil Humus Content Research Articles

Formation of Sustainable Competitiveness of Enterprises on Soils of Different Quality

The objective of this paper is to highlight the results of assessing the impact of soil quality on the sustainable competitiveness of agricultural enterprises in Ukraine. The general hypothesis of the research is based on the assumption of available positive relations between soil quality and sustainable competitiveness of enterprises. The average content of humus is taken as an integral index of soil quality. The authors used correlation analysis (for determine the relationship density between content of humus and subindexes of sustainable competitiveness), econometric modeling (for study of the dependence between content of humus and subindexes of sustainable competitiveness), economic-statistical (for evaluation and analysis of the impact of content of humus on the sustainable competitiveness), abstract-and-logical (for theoretical generalization and analysis of the research results), and graphical (for the visual representation of the revealed dependencies). To receive the results, the statistical software package STATISTICA is used. The obtained results prove the hypothesis of a positive relationship between content of humus and sustainable competitiveness only in the area of sufficient moisture. For example, the research reveals a high direct correlation relation (r = 0.735) between the subindexes of competitiveness by the yield of cereals and content of humus in soil in Chernihiv region. For the first time, one- and two-factor linear and quadratic econometric models were developed, which made it possible to carry out quantitative estimation of the impact of content of humus on the formation of sustainable competitiveness.

Associations of Humus Content and pH of Mineral Soils with Silicate Weathering Factors and Carbon Capture

Silicate weathering contra carbonate weathering: Silicate weathering is known to sequestrate carbon,...

Zonal features of the dynamics of humus content in soils of Chernihiv region

The humus condition of soils of Chernihiv region has been studied. The dynamics of humus content in the soils of the region during six rounds (1986–2015) of agrochemical certification of agricultural lands is generalized and analyzed. In comparison with the 5th round (1986–1990), there was a discrepancy between the processes of stabilization and increase of humus content in most districts and in the region as a whole in the ninth round (2006–2010), and in some districts in the tenth round (2011–2015) against the background of a sharp decrease in the application of organic fertilizers. It was found that the stabilization of humus content in the soils of the region during the V–VIII rounds of agrochemical certification and a sharp increase in its content in the ninth round, against a significant reduction of organic matter, correlates with the withdrawal of eroded, low-yielding lands with low humus content (r=0.76). Analyzing the dynamics of humus content over thirty years of research,it was found that its content has increased in all climatic zones, as well as in nineteen of the twenty-two districts of the region. The increase of the indicator is in the range of 0.01–0.72%, while in all districts there is a significant reduction of the surveyed areas and only in three districts of the region there is a decrease in the humus content. According to the results of the 10th round of agrochemical certification, the soils of Chernihiv region are characterized by an average humus content of 2.41%. The highest humus content is characterized by the soils of Bakhmatsky (3.56%), Talalaivsky (3.33%) and Pryluky (3.32%) districts, and the lowest — NovgorodSiversky (1.57%). Increasing the sown area of green manure crops, plowing straw and the use of other elements of biologization of agriculture are important factors in increasing the weighted average humus content in the soils of Chernihiv region.

Method of remote determination of humus content in soils of grape agrocenoses in southern regions of Russia

The article discusses methods for analyzing soil fertility in grape agrocenoses based on determining the value of the humus content by remote methods based on the analysis of spectral characteristics of soils. The study was carried out using laboratory photography with a digital camera and satellite multispectral equipment. It is shown that the considered methods for determining the humus content in the soil are highly accurate, which makes it possible to apply them to create an automated system for monitoring the state of soils.

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.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ПЛОДОРОДИЯ ПОЧВ ВОЛГО-АХТУБИНСКОЙ ПОЙМЫ В РЕЗУЛЬТАТЕ СТРОИТЕЛЬСТВА ВОЛГОГРАДСКОЙ ГЭС И ПУТИ ЕГО УЛУЧШЕНИЯ

The changes in the productivity of natural biocenoses and soil fertility of the Volga-Akhtuba flood-plain after the construction of the Volgograd reservoir are analyzed. The method of quantitative assessment of the productivity of natural biocenoses, changes in the content of humus in soils and the relative fertility of floodplain soils is given. The effectiveness of various variants of spring-summer releases and enhancement of the natural drainage of the floodplain are shown. The given materials can be used to substantiate the ra-tional use of water, land and biological resources of the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain.

Changes in humus content in forest-steppe soils of Western Siberia

The research is based on the results of local monitoring in 1990-2018 on reference plots of agricultural lands and archival materials of a large-scale agrochemical survey. The purpose of the research is to identify patterns of change in the humus content of arable soils of the forest-steppe in the Omsk region after prolonged use in agriculture. The objects of research were the soils of the forest-steppe zone of the Omsk Region: ordinary chernozem low-power low-humus heavy loamy soil; meadow-chernozem medium-thick medium-humus heavy loamy soil; solonetz meadow chernozemic deep low humus clay soil. The largest area on the last round of agrochemical survey of 1194.3 thousand ha (58.9%) has an average humus content (4.1-6.0%), it increased significantly from 784.5 thousand ha (38.7%). The increased and high (> 6%) humus content significantly decreased over the study period by 416.5 thousand ha from 1118.5 (55.1%) to 702.0 thousand ha (34.6% of the surveyed area). The weighted average humus content over 28 years has changed: from 6.2 to 6.0% in the northern forest-steppe, from 6.0 to 5.3% in the southern forest-steppe, on average it is by 0.5%. A tendency toward a decrease in the humus content of soils remains in the soils of the Omsk Priirtyshye region. The main reason for this is both the ongoing water and wind erosion of soils, and the very low level of organic fertilizers use. The authors revealed the gradual decrease in the content of humus in ordinary chernozems and meadow chernozem soils. There was a stable humus content in the arable horizon of the solonetzes of deep meadow-chernozem soils.

Complex Geochemical Characteristics of Soils and Plants in Natural Reserve Zones of Ukraine

The results of a comprehensive analysis of the microelement composition of soils — B, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn and plants — Ag, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn (oak (Quercus robur L.), pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) perennial grasses — Kupena (Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All.), wheatgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould)) of natural reserve belonging to different physical and geographical zones — Polessky reserve (mixed forest zone), Roztochya reserve (broad-leaved forest zone), Kanevsky reserve (forest-steppe zone), the reserve «Askania Nova» (steppe zone), the Chernogorsk massif of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (KBR, Ukrainian Carpathians), which are proposed to be considered as background. It was found that in the soils of mixed and broad-leaved forests and the Chernogorsk massif KBR with an increase in the content of gross forms of Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, the content of their mobile forms increases, this dependence is inverse in the soils of the steppe zone, which is associated with a decrease in soil acidity and mobility microelements A positive correlation was revealed between the humus content in soils and Zn, Co (gross and mobile forms) and negative — B, Mo in the soils of all reserve zones. It was found that the greatest biogeochemical activity is characteristic of plants in the zone of deciduous forests — oak leaves (Quercus robur L.) and pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.).

Estimation of the growth inhibiting factor based on the correlation between soil humus content and growth of sugar beet estimated from satellite images to identify poor drainage fields

Estimation of the growth inhibiting factor based on the correlation between soil humus content and growth of sugar beet estimated from satellite images to identify poor drainage fields

Effect of long-term crop rotation and fertilisation management on soil humus dynamics in organic and sustainable agricultural management systems

The integration of organic fertilisers into agricultural practices is one approach to enable more efficient agricultural management systems to decrease adverse environmental impacts of agriculture. In this context, the objective of this research was to determine the impact of long-term crop rotation and organic and mineral fertilisation on soil humus content, humic and fulvic acids, organic matter humification in organic and sustainable agricultural management systems with low (1.90–2.01%) and moderate (2.10–2.40%) initial humus contents. Long-term field experiments with different agricultural management systems started in 1960 at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry and soil humus dynamics experiments were conducted from 2006 to 2017. Results of the long-term use of organic and sustainable agricultural management systems with different crop rotations and fertilisation revealed the positive effect of the applied supplies on soil humus, especially for farmyard manure in combination with green manure. The incorporation of farmyard manure and biomass of white mustard resulted in a lower degree of humification when compared to green manure alone, green manure + mineral N, and farmyard and green manure + mineral N. In the low humus content soil, the degree of humification under all agricultural management systems was significantly improved, on average by 0.9% compared to soil with a moderate humus content.

Land use influence on organic carbon dynamics in soils of dryland agrolandscapes

Degradation of land used in agricultural production is studied. Different land use practices influence on the organic carbon content in arable soils of agrolandscapes on arid territories as an example. By the example of Rostov and Samara regions, the existing agricultural land ownership structure has been analyzed, and the dynamics of sown areas and humus content in arable soils has been studied. It is shown that in the course of the land reform there was a redistribution of land ownership, which is more pronounced in the Samara and Rostov regions than in the Russian Federation as a whole due to agricultural land predominance in the land fund. Agricultural landscapes in the provinces occupy most of the studied regions and are currently characterized by the processes of degradation. Private land ownership does not guarantee the implementation of measures to preserve and improve soil fertility without the development in the implementation of regulatory and legal framework for the rational use of land at the regional or federal level. Without the development of a system of comprehensive measures to organize the rational use of land at the federal and regional levels, landscape agro-ecological condition will continue to deteriorate.

Advantages of grass-grain crop rotations due to prolonged use of clover-alfalfa-timothy mixture

It is known that significant saving of nitrogen fertilizers are due to perennial legume-cereal grasses use in crop rotations. From 2013 to 2018in the Mari El Republic six-field grass-grain fodder crop rotations were compared on sod-podzolic soils with a very high level of phosphorus and potassium. In the third rotation their productivity and bioenergetic efficiency, changes in several important soil fertility indicators, and crud protein content in the produced fodder were evaluated. The main difference between the crop rotations was based on the duration of the clover-alfalfa-timothy grass mixture (CAG) use: from one year to three years. In given experiment there was also studied the effect of mineral nitrogen (variants N0, N60) against Р60К60 background on the yield of crop rotations. During six years, there was no significant soil acidification in the variants. Each additional year of clover-alfalfa-timothy grass mixture use raised the energy efficiency ratio of crop rotations by 24-47 % (from 1.13-1.24 by one-year use to 2.08-2.25 by three years of use). Three-year CAG use as compared with one- and two-years has given to the crop rotation significant advantages in energy efficiency (up to two times) and productivity (approximately 40-80 %) of cultivated crops. After refusing to apply nitrogen fertilizations in such crop rotation, average crop productivity, soil humus and nitrogen content in the soil were better preserved. The average crude protein content in dry matter of the obtained fodder increased from 12.7 % to 14.6 % when prolonging theca use up to two years. The average energy value of the yield per rotation was recorded low (8.4-8.7 MJ/kg) and did not depend on the studied factors.

State of Humus in Soils under Rice Cultivation

The study investigates an anthropogenous influence on the humus content in meadow and meadow-bog soils under rice cultivation in Adygea (Gleyic Phaeozems and Calcic Chernic Gleysol). A field experiment focused on the use of mineral fertilizers N0P0K0 (control); N90P60K45; N120P80K60; N150P100K75 and N180P120K90 is carried out on rice paddies. Soil samples are taken from the plow layer before seeding and after harvesting of rice; a total humus content and fraction-group composition are studied. An increase in fulvic acids is detected in soils as a consequence of dominant reduction and oxidative degradation of humic acids. Heightened amounts of fertilizers make humus more fulvic. A labile fraction in the total humus content is determined to be 7.97-11.02 % in meadow soil and 5.38-8.33 % in meadow-bog soil. In labile humus of meadow soils fulvic acids prevail over humic acids (HA-1: FA (1a+1) = 0.71-0.89). A share of fulvuc compounds is higher in meadow-bog soils (HA-1: FA (1a+1) = 0.38-0.55). Mineral fertilizers taken in ratios of N150P100K75 and N180P120K90 raise a percentage of newly formed humus substances.

Influence of Agricultural Management Practices on the Soil Properties and Mineral Composition of Potato Tubers with Different Colored Flesh

The objective of the work was to investigate and estimate the effects of conventional, organic, and biodynamic farming systems on biological and agrochemical soil properties and mineral composition of potato tubers with different colored flesh. This study compared the same biological and agrochemical soil quality indicators on samples collected at three sampling times: before potato planting, the middle of the potato season, and before harvesting. In addition, macro- and microelement contents were determined in the tubers. The results showed that the highest soil microbial biomass contents, dehydrogenase activity, and humus contents were found before potato planting in a conventional farming system. However, from potato planting until the end of the growing season, these soil biological indicators significantly decreased in the soil of conventional farming, but significant increases were recorded in organic and biodynamic treatments. The highest contents of all tested nitrogen forms, phosphorus and potassium, were found in the middle of the potato growing season in a conventional farming system. Before harvesting, significant decreases in all studied agrochemical soil quality indicators were observed in all farming systems. The organic and biodynamic potatoes contained significantly more K, P, and Ca than conventional potatoes. In addition, organic samples had significantly higher contents of Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and B in comparison to the biodynamic and conventional ones. The cultivar effect on the content of selected minerals in the samples was also observed. Red Emmalie contained more K, N, and B. Salad Blue had the highest contents of Fe, Mn, and Zn in comparison to other studied cultivars.

Use of Temperature Sensors in Testing Soil Humus Content in Saline Wetland in Response to Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Use of Temperature Sensors in Testing Soil Humus Content in Saline Wetland in Response to Freeze–Thaw Cycles

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%.

Environmental monitoring of North-West Pre-Caspian liman lands using GIS technologies

Liman irrigation is an effective irrigation method in arid conditions of the Russian Pre-Caspian, which includes the territory of the Republic of Kalmykia ensuring the rational use of local surface runoff and other types of water resources and serving a reliable source of cheap and quality fodder. Based on the existing experience and experimental data, the paper states methodological bases and regulations of the regional monitoring system of ecological-reclamation state of lands and phytocenoses within limans, which ensure effective control of such indicators as fertility level (content of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and heavy metals in soil); degree of salinization and alkalinization (using a zonal scale that takes into account the level of resistance of phytocenoses within limans to these negative processes); water-physical and structural properties (particle-size distribution, density, field moisture capacity, etc.), as well as species composition of vegetation (using the developed zonal classification scale) and productivity level and quality composition of fodder. The system of local environmental monitoring of Small Captain – the key section of liman irrigation system – is considered as an example. Based on the results of satellite image processing, the areas of liman zones with different NDVI levels in the time interval from 1985 to 2019 are calculated. The dynamics of the NDVI change of the Small Captain liman plant cover is shown, reflecting the true degradation picture of liman irrigation land during the considered period of study.

Changes in humus content in sod-podzolic soils as a result of agricultural use

The purpose of the research is to study the effect of long-term application of fertilizers on the dynamics of humus in the sod-podzolic medium-loam soil of the Republic of Mari El. It was found that in the control grain-grass crop rotation on the natural soil fertility for 24 years, the humus content in the soil gradually decreased. By the end of the second rotation, it decreased by 0.03%, in the third-by another 0.08 % and the fourth-by 0.02 %. The content of humus in the soil of the first fruit-bearing crop rotation decreased even more intensively than in the control. In 2001, the content of humus in the natural soil fertility decreased by 0.05% compared to the initial state. In 2007, at the end of the second rotation, humus in the first crop rotation decreased by 0.09…0.10 % from the initial state. In 2013 - by 0.16…0.17 %. The lowest humus content- 1.55 % for all the time of research was in the soil of the first fruit-bearing crop rotation at the end of the Quad rotation against the background of natural soil fertility. The difference compared to the initial state in this variant was -0.17 %. The highest humus content was in the soil of the second crop rotation, where rotted manure was applied under potatoes-80 t / ha. By the end of the first rotation, the humus content in the soil of the crop rotation increased by 0.03…0.04 %. By the end of the second-by 0.11% relative to the first rotation, the third-by 0.10…0.12 %, the fourth-by 0.20…0.21 %. Against a background without fertilizers, the humus content was always higher than when using N60P60K60. The most stable humus content was in the soil of the third crop rotation. In this rotation of six fields, two fields were under perennial legumes. During three rotations, the content of humus in the soil in this crop rotation was within the range of 1.72…1.74 %. Only after the fourth rotation, the humus content decreased to 1.70…1.73 %.

Mobile humus response of alluvial dark humus soil in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe for vermicompost application

The paper studied the vermicompost effect on the humus content and its mobile forms in alluvial dark humus soil in the conditions of field experience in potato cultivation in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe. The tendency to increase the soil humus content under the action of vermicompost is shown. The use of the latter helped to strengthen the process of humification and the stable structures formation, thereby ensuring the stable humus state.

Chemical Properties of Soil in Four-Field Crop Rotations under Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

In agriculture, the farming system significantly affects chemical soil properties. The organic system, which is based among others on the use of natural (organic) fertilizers, promotes increased soil contents of humus, organic C, and micronutrients. The conventional system, in turn, may cause soil acidification if high rates of mineral (particularly nitrogen) fertilization are used. The crop plant species also modifies soil chemistry by providing different (quantitatively and qualitatively) crop residues. The study was conducted over the period 2013–2016 in Czesławice (Lublin Region, Poland). The aim of this study was to determine the content of some chemical components determining the quality of loess soil on which four plant species were grown under organic and conventional farming systems. This research involved the determination of some parameters of the chemical composition of the soil: soil pH, total sorption capacity, humus content, macronutrient (P, K, Mg) and micronutrient (B, Cu, Mn, Zn) content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content. The content of different forms of nitrogen, N-NO3 and N-NH4, was also determined. The experimental design included two crop rotations (organic and conventional) in which identical plant species were grown: potato—winter wheat—field bean—spring barley. The experiment was established on loess soil with the grain size distribution of silt loam and classified as good wheat soil complex (soil class II). It was carried out as a split-plot design in three replicates, and the area of a single plot was 80 m2. Soil samples were taken using a soil sampling tube from an area of 0.20 m2 (from the 0–25 cm layer) in each plot at the end of the growing season of the specific crops grown. Over the four year study period, it was found that the organic system contributed to an increased soil content of magnesium, boron, copper, manganese, zinc, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Moreover, organic cropping promoted more favorable soil pH and higher soil humus content. Organic cropping significantly improved the total sorption capacity of the soil compared to conventional cultivation. Moreover, the organic system contributed to a higher soil content of nitrogen in the form of N-NH4 and its lower content in the form of N-NO3. Under the conventional system, in turn, a higher soil phosphorus and potassium content was observed. To sum up, the study confirmed the assumed hypothesis that the organic farming system would contribute to an improvement in the chemical quality indicators of loess soil. Regardless of the cropping system, potato and field bean had the most beneficial effect on soil chemistry, whereas cereal crops showed the weakest effect. Winter wheat and spring barley had an effect on significantly lower total sorption capacity of the soil and a significantly lower soil content of N-NO3 and N-NH4.