Ordinary Chernozem Research Articles

Current state and silvicultural and reclamation efficiency coniferous field-protective forest belts of the Khakass anti-erosion station

Field-protective forest strips are the basis of the ecological framework of agricultural territories. Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) are the main tree species used in field-protective afforestation of the Shirinskaya steppe of the Republic of Khakassia. The studies were carried out in forest belts consisting of coniferous tree species of ordinary and staggered planting methods. Here, using modern techniques, temporary trial plots were laid. The aim of the work was to study the current state of forest belts, consisting of coniferous tree species, and their silvicultural and reclamation efficiency in the area where the Khakass anti-erosion station is located. The features of the sanitary condition and silvicultural and reclamation efficiency of forest stands on trial plots are analyzed depending on the planting methods growing on different types of soils. It has been established that a good and satisfactory condition of trees (1.0-1.2 points) and the highest silvicultural and reclamation score (5a) 34-55 years after planting are observed in larch forest belts with a rare staggered arrangement of trees growing on the southern and ordinary chernozems. The unsatisfactory condition of the trees (2.3-3.0 points) and the reduced silvicultural and reclamation assessment (4a) 55-58 years after planting are noted in pine and larch forest belts with rows of trees growing on chernozem-like sandy loamy soil and southern medium loamy chernozem. These features must be taken into account when designing a new generation of coniferous forest belts in other areas of the Khakass anti-erosion station, where they have not been created before. Measures have been planned to extend the service life of the steppe coniferous field-protective forest belts in the near future.

Динамика гумуса и инвертазной активности в черноземе обыкновенном карбонатном при фолиарной обработке озимой пшеницы гуминовыми препаратами

The article presents the results of an experiment established at the FGBNU FRANZ field station in 2020-2022 to study the effect of single and double treatments of winter wheat crops with humic preparations BIO-Don and ECOSS. The preparations were used as part of tank mixtures with pesticides during the tillering and heading phases of wheat. In the experiment, the arable layer of ordinary chernozem was studied, samples were taken after the resumption of spring vegetation, after each treatment with humic preparations and after harvesting. Soil samples were selected and studied, among other things, for humus content and invertase activity, analytical data are presented after statistical processing in dynamics. According to the research results, a strong dependence of the enzyme activity on weather conditions was revealed. The dynamics of humus has a clearly pronounced seasonal character, its decrease is noted throughout the entire period of 2020-2021, by the end of the growing season, the amount of humus returns to its previous level. At the same time, the activity of invertase increases as the humus decreases. Dry season 2021-2022 in the variants with the use of the BIO-Don preparation, the removal of humus is less pronounced, but a decrease in invertase activity is observed before harvesting, after which the enzymatic activity returns to its previous level. Keywords: HUMIC PREPARATION, BIO-DON, ECOSS, FOLIAR TREATMENT, HUMUS, INVERTASE, ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY

The influence of the aftereffect of long-term use of mineral fertilizers on sorghum grain productivity and quality on ordinary blackearth of the Central Pre-Caucasus

There have been presented the study results of the experiment of the Geographical Network of Experiments with fertilizers, established in 1975 on ordinary chernozem under conditions of unstable moisture in the Stavropol Territory. The purpose of the current study was to reveal the influence of the aftereffect of the long-term use of mineral fertilizers on the agrochemical properties of soil, productivity, and quality of sorghum grain, depending on the weather conditions of the year. There has been established that, after 30 years of action and 14 years of aftereffect of the use of phosphorus fertilizers in doses of 60–180 kg/ha of a.i. the content of residual phosphorus in the soil layer of 0–20 cm before sowing sorghum varied from 25 to 55 mg/kg. The crop productivity was closely dependent on weather conditions and the agrochemical condition of the soil. In arid conditions in 2020, the largest grain productivity (2.5–3.16 t/ha) was obtained in areas of phosphorus fertilizer’s aftereffect with a high content of P2O5 in soil (more than 30 mg/kg). In the wet year, the largest productivity (5.10–5.64 t/ha) were obtained in nitrogen fertilizers’ aftereffect against the background of low phosphates availability (12–16 mg/kg). In different weather conditions, the maximum level of sorghum productivity was obtained in the aftereffect of complete mineral fertilizer or with a balanced nutrient regime of the soil, in 2020 it was 3.81–4.96 t/ha and in 2022 it was 5.4–6.14 t/ha. Sorghum grain quality was also determined by the weather and soil properties. Grain with the highest crude protein percentage (9.9–13.6 %) was obtained in a dry year after the effect of nitrogen fertilizer. In both years of the study, the products obtained after the application of high doses of one phosphorus fertilizer (120–180 kg/ha a.i.) had the least nutritional value. The crude protein percentage in grain did not exceed 2.2–7.8 %. To stabilize productivity and increase the nutritional value of sorghum, it is necessary, first of all, to optimize the nitrogen nutrition of plants, especially in conditions of good moisture supply.

Agroecological Assessment of Heavy Metals and Arsenic Content in Ordinary Chernozem in the Central Chernozem Region of Russia

Agroecological Assessment of Heavy Metals and Arsenic Content in Ordinary Chernozem in the Central Chernozem Region of Russia

Agroecological assessment of the technology of processing ordinary chernozem deposits in the south of Central Siberia

Relevance. In the arid steppe zone, strong wind, weak water erosion and other adverse phenomena are manifested. Similar processes are observed in Siberia. At present, the re-development of deposits is beginning and soil degradation is again manifested in the steppe regions of the Republic of Khakassia. For the effective use of land resources, it is necessary to develop a soil protection technology for soil treatment of deposits in the steppe foothill zone of the south of Central Siberia.Methods. The study of the effectiveness of soil treatment technologies of the erosive agroecological group of fallow lands was carried out in the Baysky foothill steppe soil-geographical agrolandscape region of the Republic of Khakassia, located in the south of Central Siberia. Research for three years was carried out in the link of crop rotation: a four-year–old grain–grass deposit — buckwheat — buckwheat by the method of field experience of Boris Dospekhov. Mеthods of water-physical, agrochemical, economic and energy research were used in the performance of the work.Results. It was revealed that on four-year fallow lands there is soil compaction, low content of elements of mineral nutrition. The influence of the complex application of continuous herbicides (Tornado 500) and soil tillage technology on erosion resistance has been established. During summer tillage of the deposit and timely application of herbicide, there is an increase in wind resistance and productivity of the crop rotation link. In the foothill steppe region, with such a soil protection technology with the treatment of ordinary chernozem, the erodibility is 27.5–30.9 g / 5 min of exposure.

Asimilarea azotului și productivitatea culturilor în diverse procedee de fertilizare cu paie

In order to identify efficient and rational procedures for the valorization of straw surpluses as fertilizer, the authors studied their influence on plant production and nitrogen supply to plants. The experiment was established on clayey-loamy poorly eroded ordinary chernozem, in Cahul district, Republic of Moldova. The experimental design included variants consisting in the application of straw that was not supplemented with nitrogen and variants in which straw was supplemented with low doses of nitrogen. The combination of straw with sheep manure as well as with high doses of chemical fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus was also tested. Straw and associated fertilizers were applied once every four years, in 2009, 2013 and 2017, in July. The most efficient variant consisted in the procedure by which 4 t/ha of chopped straw was spread on the stubble over which chemical fertilizers N20 P20 were distributed. This procedure ensured an average annual increase of 480 kg/ha of conventional wheat. The phenomenon of crop yield decrease because of the incorporation of straw applied separately without nitrogen did not occur in this experiment. This is due to the ability of chernozem soils to form, through humus mineralization, enough nitrogen needed for the microbiological processing of straw applied in the summer. Thus, the soil type and climatic conditions in the South of the Republic of Moldova allow to incorporate straw surpluses as a fertilizer, including without being supplemented with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.

Evaluation of Phytotoxicity of Common Chernozem in the Application of <i>Bacillus</i> sp. and Biochar for Stimulation of Decomposition of Winter Wheat Harvest Residues (<i>Triticum aestivum</i> L.)

Stable functioning of agricultural lands is impossible without maintaining soil fertility. However, there are often a lot of crop residues in the fields, which decompose for a long time and turn into available organic matter. To increase the rate of decomposition of crop residues of grain crops (wheat, barley and others), it is necessary to introduce biostimulants. Biostimulants are a variety of substances that stimulate the decomposition of organic substances and have a beneficial effect on the soil microbiota. The article examines the influence of Bacillus sp. on the processes of decomposition of crop residues of wheat both independently and together with biochar. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phytotoxicity of ordinary chernozem during the decomposition of crop residues of winter wheat under the influence of Bacillus sp. and biochar. To assess the ecological state of the soil, the following research methods were used: assessment of the rate of decomposition of cellulose (determination of cellulolytic activity), assessment of the ecological state of the soil (intensity of CO2 emissions, changes in the intensity of initial growth and development of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)). Introduction of Bacillus sp. × 100 and the joint use of biochar and Bacillus sp. it stimulated the decomposition of cellulose up to 14–15% of the background content. Inoculation of Bacillus sp. on the biochar, it was effective already at the recommended dose both for the decomposition of the cellulose web and for restoring the ecological state of the soil, demonstrating a synergistic effect. The results obtained should be used in carrying out measures to increase soil fertility of agricultural lands and environmental monitoring of soil conditions.

Влияние загрязнения AgNPs на эмиссию углекислого газа черноземом

A study was made of the effect of pollution with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the emission of carbon dioxide by chernozem in an acute ecotoxicological experiment (the first 7 days from the moment of pollution). The ordinary chernozem was contaminated with AgNPs of various sizes (10, 100 and 1000 nm) at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 mg/kg, as well as Ag2O (for comparison). As a result of the study, it was found that AgNPs with a size of 10 nm on the first day of the experiment on CO2 emission are less toxic than other sizes, but after 7 days of the experiment they become the most toxic. The greater the concentration of AgNPs, the greater the toxic effect on CO2 emission. The smaller the size of the nanoparticles, the greater the toxic effect. According to the degree of ecotoxicity, AgNPs form the following sequence: AgNPs (10 nm) > AgNPs (100 nm) > AgNPs (1000 nm).

Agrophysical indicators of ordinary chernozem depending on the methods of its tillage in the Northern Steppe of Ukraine

Topicality. The spread of negative processes in the soil associated with the aggravation of the economic situation in modern Ukraine, the rapid rise in prices for equipment, fuels and lubricants, the replacement of energy-intensive traditional tillage systems with non-moldboard and other resource-saving ones, requires further and deeper research on their impact on her agrophysical indicators. Purpose. To study the influence of the primary tillage on the agrophysical indicators of ordinary chernozem in the link of the field grain-fallow-row crop rotation (winter wheat after maize of milk-wax ripeness - peas for grain - winter wheat) in the conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine. Materials and Methods. Methods of primary tillage based on moldboard plowing and non-moldboard loosening against the background of moldboard plowing for corn were studied. In experimental studies, we used field, laboratory and statistical-mathematical methods. The agrophysical parameters of the soil were determined according to generally accepted methods. Results. No significant difference has been found in the influence of the primary tillage methods on the soil density in the 0–30 cm layer under the crops of the crop rotation link in spring and at their harvesting. In 2011 and 2012, there was a significant increase in the number of water-stable aggregates (over 0.25 mm) in the soil under non-moldboard tillage, compared with plowing, under all crops of the crop rotation link in the spring and during harvesting, mainly in the 0–10 and 10–20 cm layers. This was more often observed in the spring – on average for 2010–2012, the difference in this indicator in the soil layer of 0–30 cm for the crops of the crop rotation link was: winter wheat after maize of milk-wax ripeness – 1.9, peas – 4.4 and winter wheat after peas – 3.0 %, and on average for the crop rotation link – 3.1 It is established that moldboardless tillage contributes to a significant reduction in moisture consumption for unproductive evaporation in conditions of frequently repeated drought events. Conclusions. The studied methods of primary tillage of ordinary heavy loam chernozem equally affect the bulk density and do not cause deterioration of this indicator. The non-moldboard tillage improves the water resistance of the arable soil layer under crops in the crop rotation link and reduces moisture consumption for evaporation, compared to plowing. Key words: tillage, density, water resistance, productive moisture, winter wheat, peas

Mycobiota in soil of different degree of degradation in perennial fruit plantations

The number and species composition of micromycetes in different types of soils with different degree of degradation in perennial plantations of Malus Mill., Juglans regia L., Corylus avellana L., Prunus domestica L., Pyrus communis L., Rubus idaeus L., Fragaria vesca L. were analyzed. The research was carried out during 2012–2022 years in enterprises of different types of ownership located at the area of the Lviv, Volyn, Vinnytsia, Drinpropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Kherson Oblasts. The obtained results confirmed the differentiation in the number of micromycetes based on the type of soil and the degree of degradation. The smallest number and species composition of mycobiota were found in slightly and severely degraded soils. In total, among the studied samples of different types of soils, 109 species of micromycetes belonging to 25 genera of two divisions Zygomycota and Ascomycota were differentiated and identified, including 14 species (almost 13%) which are pathogenic or producers of mycotoxins and present biohazard. In most cases these species were found in moderately degraded, ordinary chernozem with a low content of humus and its frequency of occurrence was 29.5–48.5%. Among 13 pathogenic species of micromycetes, in moderately degraded ordinary chernozem with a low content of humus, four species non-typical for garden agnocenoses were detected: (A. flavus Link (frequence of occurence 32.5%), A. parasiticus Speare (34.8%), A. pseudotamari Bennet and Klich (37.3%), Claviceps purpurea (Fr.)Tul. (29.5%)). In slightly degraded sod-podzolic soil, three pathogenic species Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr, Paecilomyces lilacinum (Thom) Samson, P. verrucosum Dierckx var. Cyclopium (Westling) Samson, Stolk, Hadlok were identified, and their frequency of occurrence was 35.7–45.2%. In non-degraded soils, 93 species of micromycetes were found, including four pathogens (Botrytis cinerea Pers ex Fr, Paecilomyces lilacinum (Thom) Samson, P. verrucosum Dierckx var. cyclopium (Westling) Samson, Stolk, Hadlok, P. expansum Lk), and their frequency of occurrence was 27.5–40.7%.

The yield of winter wheat depending on the sequence in the crop rotation and variety in the conditions of the Rostov region

Relevance . Winter wheat is one of the most valuable and high-yielding grain crops. The growth of its production, quality and stability of gross output is an important aspect of the country's economic independence. The trend of improving agricultural technologies in the conditions of sanctions is relevant. Methods . The experiment was conducted in 2021—2022 agricultural year on ordinary chernozem in the Rostov region. Objects of research: winter wheat plants of Yuka, Grom, Tanya varieties , sown after crop rotation crops Cicer arietinum (L.) and Camelina sativa (L.). Results . The density of the soil in a layer of 0–40 cm in wheat crops was different in variants; a tendency of compaction from germination to earing was observed. Field germination of wheat varied from 61 to 79%. The average linear deviation for Camelina sativa (L.) was 6.44, and for Cicer arietinum (L.) — 6.89. On average, during the period "germination — earing", the moisture supply index in crops sown after Camelina sativa (L.) was higher by 12.1–18.7% relative to crops sown after Cicer arietinum (L.). The highest indicators of the average linear deviation in plant development occur at the germination phase — 1.78 and 1.11 for Camelina sativa (L.) and Cicer arietinum (L.), respectively, the lowest indicators — at the earing phase — 0.89 and 0.67, respectively. A tendency of decrease in the nitrogen content in plants from germination to earing has been established. After the predecessor Camelina sativa (L.), a decrease in nitrogen accumulation in plants was higher by 10.4–16.6% than after Cicer arietinum (L.). Wheat yield varied according to the experimental variants from 4.81 to 5.98 t/ha.

Эффективность возделывания гороха Премьер в зависимости от вносимых минеральных удобрений и норм посева

Purpose: to study the efficiency of cultivation of the variety Premier peas on ordinary chernozem, depending on mineral fertilizers and seed sowing rates. Materials and methods. The experience was laid on the fields of the Department of Agriculture and Crop Production of Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Centre. The objects of research are the elements of pea productivity, yield and protein content in grain, depending on the fertilizers applied and the seeding rate. Statistical analysis of data, records and observations were carried out according to the method of B. A. Dospekhov. Results. The sowing rate influences the el-ements of pea productivity. An increase in the rate to 1.2 million seeds/ha leads to a signifi-cant reduction in the number of formed beans, the number of seeds in a bean, and a decrease in grain weight. Fertilizers did not have a significant effect on the elements of productivity. The introduction of phosphorus and potash fertilizers leads to a significant increase in the yield of peas. The combined application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium leads to a sig-nificant increase in yield when sown 1.0 and 1.2 million seeds/ha. Nitrogen fertilizers do not have a significant impact on the yield of peas. The fertilizers application helps to increase the protein content in the grain. The maximum was obtained in the N₆₀ variant, amounting to 24.8 %. The responsiveness of peas to introduced fertilizers depends on the seeding rate. At the optimal rate of 1.2 million seeds/ha, the highest payback was obtained in the variant with the introduction of 20 kg of a. i. phosphorus and potassium, amounting to 7.7 kg/kg a. i. Conclusions. The best results were obtained when sowing 1.2 million seeds/ha, which pro-vides an opportunity to get the highest conditional net income with high profitability of pro-duction. The maximum conditional net income of 41.7 thousand rubles/ha was observed in the option P₄₀K₄₀, while the profitability of production was 139.39 %, the cost of production was 12.5 thousand rubles/t.

РОЛЬ СЕВООБОРОТОВ В ПОДДЕРЖАНИИ АГРОФИЗИЧЕСКИХ СВОЙСТВ ЧЕРНОЗЕМОВ, ОРОШАЕМЫХ СЛАБОМИНЕРАЛИЗОВАННОЙ ВОДОЙ

Purpose: to determine effects of grain-fodder and vegetable crop rotation on the agrophysical properties of chernozems irrigated with low-mineralized water, in comparison with the non-irrigated counterpart. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in Neklinovsky district Rostov region on ordinary chernozems in grain-fodder crop rotations, non-irrigated (without irrigation) and irrigated with annual irrigation rates of 1500–2500 cubic m/ha and in vegetable crop rotation with annual irrigation rates of 3000–4000 cubic m/ha. The source of irrigation is the Miussky estuary with low-mineralized water. Soil samples were taken in autumn after crop rotations, their granulometric texture, aggregate water stability and humus were determined. In profile pits - the soil bulk density. The selection of soil samples, their analysis and evaluation were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Results. The deterioration of water-physical properties was most clearly manifested during long-term irrigation with low-mineralized water on a plot with vegetable crop rotations, where irrigation rates were more than 3500 cubic m/ha. The arable land of such chernozem is highly compacted (1.41 t/cubic m), the bulk density 40 cm deeper is 1.45–1.47 t/cubic m. By granulometric texture, the upper soil layers acquired the properties of medium loamy soils due to the leaching of clay particles. There are practically no water-stable aggregates along the soil profile (about 10 %). Soil porosity deteriorated to excessively low values. Conclusions. Studies have shown that the higher the water load in crop rotations, the more the negative agrophysical properties of chernozems progress, especially when irrigated with low-mineralized waters.

Капельное орошение молодых плантаций виноградников в условиях Республики Крым

Purpose: to determine elements of irrigation technology for young vineyard plantations using the drip irrigation method on various types of soil in the Republic of Crimea and test them under the conditions of this region. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in the village of Pavlovka, Belogorsky district of the Republic of Crimea. The establishment of field experiments and observations were carried out using generally accepted methods for setting up and conducting field experiments. Results. As a result of the research, the water-physical properties of soils of the Republic of Crimea were analyzed and rational elements of the technology for irrigating young vineyard plantations using drip irrigation on various types of soils (limits of optimal soil moisture, dripper consumption, wetted depth, irrigation period and water application rate) were calculated. When calculating the irrigation regime for the drip irrigation method, it is necessary to take into account the wetted layer depth, the physical properties of soil, the planting pattern, the moisture contour shape, the dripper flow rate and pre-irrigation soil moisture. The elements of irrigation technology for young vineyard plantations vary significantly, for example, the recommended flow rate of drippers varies from 2–4 l/h on chernozems to 6–8 l/h on light chestnut soils and steppe solonetzes, while the duration of irrigation varies from 2–3 h on light chestnut soils up to 6–9 h on ordinary chernozems. Conclusions. When testing the results, it was found that the drip irrigation method has a positive effect on the survival rate of table grape cuttings. On average, this indicator for varieties was 98.8%. For soil and climatic conditions of the Republic of Crimea, the varieties Sport, Podarok to Irina, Baikonur and Zabava turned out to be the most responsive in terms of their morphological characteristics. During the growing season of the first year young table grapes (in a medium-dry year), 16 irrigations of 30 cubic m/ha with an irrigation rate of 480 cubic m/ha were carried out, while the total water consumption excluding the use of moisture from soil was 3740 cubic m/ha.

Влияние приемов возделывания на урожайность и водопотребление подсолнечника в условиях Ростовской области

Purpose: to identify the optimal combination of methods for primary tillage, fertilizer background, seeding rates, as well as optimal seeding time that contribute to increasing sunflower yields under edaphoclimatic conditions of the Azov zone Rostov region. The study was completed in 2021–2022 at the experimental station of the scientific center. Materials and methods. The following options were studied: methods of basic tillage (plowing, combined cultivation, chiseling) (factor A); seeding rates (0.055; 0.060; 0.065 million pcs/ha) (factor B); fertilizer backgrounds (high – 80 kg of active substance NPK per 1 ha; medium – 40 kg of active substance NPK per 1 ha; without fertilizers) (factor C). These factors were studied against the background of two seeding dates. The soils are ordinary chernozems. Results. The most favorable conditions for crop vegetation were created under the conditions of the 2nd seeding time. The seed application rate of 0.065 million pcs/ha ensured an oilseed increase in seed yield of up to 36.0–37.1 %. An average fertilizer background increased the yield to 20.7–21.8 %, a high background provided a similar increase to 38.4–40.1 %. The highest return from the fertilizer application was noted with the 2nd seeding time and a rate of 80 kg of active substance NPK per 1 ha with the best average of 2.92 kg/kg. The lowest coefficients of sunflower water consumption were obtained in the variants of the 2nd seeding time, amounting in different years: for plowing 872 and 963 cubic meters/t, combined tillage – 896 and 993 cubic meters/t, chiseling – 906 and 982 cubic meters/t. These indicators turned out to be lower compared to similar data from the 1st seeding time in 2021 by 22.7; 21.5 and 24.5 %, 2022 – by 14.2; 12.8 and 13.8 %. Conclusions. The highest sunflower yield was obtained during the 2nd seeding time in the variant with plowing, stem density of 0.065 million pcs/ha and a high fertilizer background – 2.59 t/ha. This option shows the best use of moisture to obtain a unit of sunflower yield in 2022 – 872 cubic meters/t.

Водосберегающие поливы кукурузы на мелиорированных землях Ростовской области

Purpose: to develop a water-saving regime for irrigating corn for grain, which guarantees sustainable productivity with a shortage of water resources on the basis of field research. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in Rostov region according to generally accepted methods. The soil of the plot is ordinary chernozem. According to water-physical and agrochemical indicators, it is suitable for crop cultivation. The experiment scheme included three options: in option 1 (control), a previously developed irrigation regime was used; in options 2 and 3, from the beginning of the growing season to the phase of tasselling, irrigation rates were given out completely (as in option 1), and then decreased by 15 and 30 %, respectively. Results. The pre-irrigation soil moisture limit in the 0–60 cm layer was maintained at the level of 70–75 % of the minimum water capacity. The soil water regime influenced the plant growth and development. The differences in the onset of plant vegetation phases were observed from the phase of tasselling. The grain firm ripe stage occurred in variant 3 earlier, then in variant 2. The largest linear growth in the flowering phase (269 cm) was recorded in variant 1, which was 3.7 and 5.2 % higher than the indicators of the variants 1 and 2, respectively. The biological yield of corn in option 1 was 12.9 t/ha, which is 10.1 and 16.3 % higher than the water-saving options. According to the calculations of economic efficiency, with a decrease in irrigation rates by 15 %, the cultivation of corn for grain is profitable. Conclusions. As a result of the research, a water-saving irrigation regime for corn for grain was developed and recommended for agricultural production, which provides for nine vegetation irrigations: the first and second – 300 cubic meters/ha each, the third – 400 cubic meters/ha, from the fourth to the ninth ones, irrigation is carried out at a rate reduced by 15 % – 425 cubic meters/ha. Irrigation rate is 3550 cubic meters/ha.

Comparison of agrophysical parameters and humus content in the soil of virgin and arable land

Topicality. Currently, there is an urgent need to address the following challenges: loss of soil humus content, deterioration of soil agrophysical properties, reduction of the impact of soil agrophysical degradation, restoration and preservation of fertility. Purpose. Comparison of agrophysical parameters and humus content in the soil of virgin and arable lands and development of scientific recommendations on the formation of favourable agrophysical properties and regimes of chernozems to suspend the development of degradation processes in the soil and preserve fertility. Material and Methods. The study of ordinary chernozem was carried out in the virgin lands and experimental plots of the Erastivka Research Station of the Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine during 2010–2016. We studied: total humus content; structural and aggregate composition of the soil; soil structure coefficient; soil density; water resistance of agronomically valuable structural aggregates. In May, soil samples were selected at equilibrium density after mechanical tillage. Sampling was carried out from the soil profile at intervals of 5 cm, to a depth of 0–200 cm in quadruplicate according to DSTU 4287. Results. It was found that deterioration of agrophysical properties (structural and aggregate state, density, water resistance) and reduction of humus content and thickness in the humus horizon in comparison with virgin soil occurred as a result of long-term cultivation of ordinary chernozem. Conclusions. When comparing the properties of ordinary chernozem of arable land with virgin soil, we find that they are significantly degraded. Significant loss of humus and structure degradation leads to an increasing soil density and a partial loss of the ability to resist degradation. To preserve and sustainably use arable chernozems, an improved farming system should be implemented, with scientifically based crop rotations, the latest soil protection technologies, and the proper amount of organic and mineral fertilisers to increase the humus content as its main components. Key words: ordinary chernozem, soil degradation, humus content, structural and aggregate state, density, water resistance

The effectiveness of cultivating soybean varieties of different maturity groups in the conditions of the central Ciscaucasia

The studies were conducted in 2017-2019 at the experimental station of the Stavropol State Agrarian University in conditions without irrigation and on the basis of the experimental plots of Agrosakhar LLC with the use of irrigation. The territories of the research sites belong to the zone of unstable humidification, characterized by unstable and uneven precipitation during the growing season of soybeans, elevated air temperatures in summer, when soybean plants enter the phases of flowering and grain filling. At the experimental plots of the SSAU experimental station, the soil is represented by leached chernozem, at the experimental sites of Agrosahar LLC by ordinary chernozem. The purpose of the research is to determine the biological characteristics and efficiency of growing new, promising soybean varieties of the southern ecotype. It was found that the most quickly-ripening variety with a growing season of 96 days is the Bara variety, the longest growing season was noted in the mid-ripening Vilana variety – 129 days. The maximum photosynthetic potential of soybean crops was formed under irrigation conditions: quickly-ripening Selecta 101 variety – 1376, early-ripening Duar variety – 1678 and mid-ripening Zara variety – 2167 thous. m2.day/ha. In terms of yield, when growing soybeans without irrigation in the quickly-ripening group, the Lira variety stood out – 1.59 t/ha, in the early-ripening Selecta 201 variety – 1.75 t/ha and the midripening Zara variety – 1.94 t/ha, when irrigation was used in the quickly-ripening group, the Selecta 101 variety stood out – 2.34 t/ha, in the early-ripening Duar variety – 2.89 t/ha and the mid-ripening Zara variety – 3.14 t/ha. In the conditions of the SSAU experimental station without irrigation and in Agrosakhar LLC the largest profit in the amount of 16028 to 40912 rub./ha was obtained by cultivating the mid-ripening Zara variety with a yield of 1.94 - 3.14 t/ha, and the level of profitability ranged from 49.4 to 108.8%.

Почвенные влагозапасы и водный баланс посевов ячменя ярового на эрозионно опасном склоне

Purpose: to determine the influence of soil cultivation methods on the value of soil water storage, water balance and water consumption deficit of spring barley on an erosion-hazardous slope on ordinary chernozems. Materials and methods. During the research, the methodological approaches by S. A. Vorobyev, A. N. Kostyakov, S. I. Kharchenko, A. N. Postnikov were used. The experimental design provides for three options of soil cultivation: moldboard plowing, non-moldboard (chiseling) and combined (slotted) plowing. Results. As a result of the research, the advantage of chisel primary cultivation was revealed in terms of moisture reserves accumulation in snow: in the fall-plow it allowed accumulating on average 16.6 % more water than with moldboard tillage. Research has shown that the main flow component of water balance is the total water consumption of spring barley, which varied during the growing season depending on the phase of crop growth and development and on the method of soil cultivation; differences in the productive moisture reserves with the advantage of non-moldboard methods of soil cultivation were noted. The greatest differences were observed on the date of barley sowing; at this time, the excess in water storage in the meter layer was 9.9 % with combined tillage and it was 10.6 % with chiseling, relative to the same indicator with moldboard treatment. Conclusions. It was found that the intensity of the decrease in water storage rose, starting from the earing phase, especially during moldboard cultivation. In the longest period from sowing to booting (97–110 days), an average of approximately 50 % of the total moisture is consumed, from the booting phase to the earing and from the earing phase to milky-wax ripeness by 20 %, and in the last period from milky-wax ripeness to the complete ripeness of corn is only 10 % moisture. In general, during the growing season, non-moldboard cultivation allowed reducing the water consumption deficit of spring barley to 4.7–5.4 % compared to the control, which is very significant under the conditions of a moisture deficit amounting to 276 mm during this period.

Потери почвы от дефляции в Ростовской области

Purpose: collection, analysis and generalization of data on wind speed and the intensity of deflation processes in Rostov region, that helps assessing the quantitative side of soil loss depending on wind speed, weather conditions, terrain, tillage method and other factors, and development of wind corridors for the conditions of the region under consideration. Materials and methods. The research was carried out on chestnut soils, southern and ordinary chernozems of the agricultural enterprise “Rassvet” of Aksai district and the agricultural enterprise “Krasnoarmeyskoe” of Oryol district of Rostov region, and the results of other scientists, who have been conducting research in Rostov region since 1969, were analyzed and summarized. Wind speed was measured with anemometers at a height of 2 m above the soil level, and the soil mass moved by winds was determined by the Erosion bridge (pin method) and dust collectors of our own design. Methods of analysis and synthesis as a systematic approach to achieving the goal were used. Results. The wind direction and speed in Rostov region depend on the seasonal position of pressure centers: the Siberian maximum in winter and the Azores in summer. Over the 54 years of research from 1969 to 2023, dust storms and drifting snow were observed 11 times, i.e. once every five years. Mathematical processing of long-term research data made it possible to obtain dependencies for assessing the effect of wind speed on soil removal on average in 1 hour, to determine soil removal coefficients, to propose zoning of the region into five deflationary regions, to develop a map diagram of deflationary zones and wind corridors of Rostov region. Conclusions. The greatest soil losses in wind-impact directions were in 1969 up to 800–900 t/ha for a duration of 300 h, in 1972 – 170–200 t/ha for a duration of 96 h; in 1984, with a daytime wind speed of 10–14 m/s with gusts of up to 25–30 m/s for a duration of 142 h, soil losses amounted to 218 t/ha.