Soil Physical Conditions Research Articles

KARAKTERISTIK FISIK DAN TINGKAT BAHAYA EROSI TANAH ULTISOL

Soil erosion is a major factor leading to cause land damage in the upstream region. Therefore, erosion control should be done in the preservation of land resources and the environment can be maintained and the welfare of farmers can be improved. Land Ultisol widespread in many Kalimatan Islands, ultisol soil types other than guilty of fertility, soil types have the property ultisol easy erosion. As a result of coal mining activities carried out by PT KPC lead to peeling layers of top soil to the depth of rock. This stripping has directly changed the soil condition. Ultisol soil physical conditions in Kalimanan (available water capacity, density lumps, texture, structure, pore space and permeability of the soil) are relatively low, so they need to improve theaddition of organic materials, and lime. The process of reclamation of former coal mining PT. KPC has been done very well. The analysis of fertility levels and the amount of potential soil erosion occurs indicates that the post-miningrehabilitation revegetation way to post-mining land with the procedure referred. It can be seen from the parameters of soil fertility and erosion rates of post-mining land have been rehabilitated (56.5614 erosion rates tons/hectare/year) with areas of pristine forests (erosion rates 52.175 tons/hectare/year) were not show significant changes.Keywords: ultisol, rehabilitation, physical soil, erosion

Enhancing Water and Phosphorus Use Efficiency Through Moisture Conservation Practices and Optimum Phosphorus Application in Rainfed Maize–Chickpea System in Vertisols of Central India

Conserving soil moisture in the rainfed region is a challenging task as it plays a significant role in crop productivity and livelihood security of rainfed farmers. The soil moisture conservation practices (MCPs) coupled with the addition of root augmenting nutrition are crucial for sustaining crop yields and maintaining soil phosphorus (P) in a rainfed Vertisol of Central India. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effect of MCPs and P application in maize–chickpea in a Vertisol. A five-year study showed that the MCPs integrated with P nutrition significantly helped in growing chickpea (Cicer arietinum) without irrigation or with limited irrigation. Under the normal rainfall conditions such as normal onset time, distribution and cessation time during the experimentation, the MCPs proved useful in obtaining chickpea yields in the range of 776 to 933 kg ha−1. The best MCP was the practice of late intercultural operations + Gliricidia cover in the inter-row spaces of standing maize (@ 5 t ha−1 fresh weight basis) + maize stover application (after sowing up to germination), which recorded higher chickpea grain yield (932 kg ha−1) on account of higher moisture content in the soil and reduced stress in the plants. Another comparable treatment was Gliricidia cover + one pre-sowing irrigation of 6 cm for chickpea, which recorded 933 kg ha−1 of chickpea yield. Both the treatments recorded significantly higher yields than the under control (637 kg ha−1). We also found that the application of Gliricidia cover on the soil surface coupled with either pre-sowing irrigation and/or late intercultural operations had beneficial effect on soil physical conditions increasing soil moisture which in turn affected the crop growth. Under normal monsoon years, the best treatments (MCP4 and MCP5) recorded around 46% higher chickpea yield as compared to the control. It is concluded that these soil MCPs are very useful in rainfed areas for sustaining crop yield.

Soil physical properties under a 'Tanzânia' grass pasture fertilized with mineral nitrogen or intercropped with stylosanthes

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the physical properties of a soil with a 'Tanzânia' grass (Megathyrsus maximus) pasture fertilized with mineral nitrogen or intercropped with the legume 'Campo Grande' (Stylosanthes spp.), and subjected to continuous grazing and variable stocking rate, in a three-year chronosequence. The treatments were: 'Tanzânia' grass and Stylosanthes; and 'Tanzânia' grass fertilized with 75, 150, and 225 kg ha-1 N per year. The experiment was carried out in an Oxisol, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, in split plots divided according to time (first, second, and third experimental years). The following soil properties were assessed annually: soil bulk density, porosity in the soil macropore domain, soil water and air storage capacity, and soil penetration resistance. After three years, the highest animal stocking rate due to increased forage yield did not affect the soil physical conditions. The intercrop of 'Tanzânia' grass with the legume shows values of soil water and air storage capacity close to the ideal ones (0.66 and 0.34, respectively). After the second experimental year, there is a decrease in the penetration resistance values, which are inferior to the critical limit of 2,500 kPa. The intercropping of 'Tanzânia' grass with stylosanthes 'Campo Grande' can be a remarkable alternative for the maintenance and improvement of soil physical conditions.

Evaluating the impact of synthetic herbicides on soil dwelling macrobes and the physical state of soil in an agro-ecosystem

This study evaluated three herbicides active ingredients: Paraquat, Glyphosate and 2,4-D Amine in commercial formulations as Frankoquat, Roundup and Agriherb respectively under field conditions to determine their influence on soil dwelling macrobes and the physical state of soil. Herbicides were serially diluted to three treatment concentrations for each plus three controls. Herbicide concentrations were applied to the demarcated field on three consecutive occasions in splits. Macrobes extraction from soil was done under a stereo microscope at 20 × magnification. The Simpson's diversity index was used to calculate the soil macrobes diversity. Soil water content, bulk density and total porosity of sampled soils were determined. The study revealed that both herbicides and non-herbicides treatment had no statistical significance (p > 0.05) on the soil dwelling macrobes. Also, a Simpson's index of diversity, estimated as 53.46%, showed how the experimental area is lowly diverse in the specific soil dwelling macrobes identified. Significant correlations existed between the soil water content, bulk density, total porosity and number of soil macrobes at p < 0.05. This level of significance showed in most instances for Frankoquat herbicide concentration treatments as well as Roundup. For Agriherb and control treatments the correlations were present but majority was not significant. In most situations, the soil dwelling macrobes decreased with increasing soil physical conditions. Thus, the dynamics in soil physical properties affected macrobes abundance in soil, with the slightest influence coming from the herbicides concentrations used in the experiment. The study recommended that Frankoquat and Roundup herbicides could be used to control weeds on farmer's field because, their influence were slightly felt on the soil macrobes and also, quite a number soil dwelling macrobes recovered after application.

Practical model of deformation prediction in soft clay after artificial ground freezing under subway low-level cyclic loading

Settlement was investigated after the long-term operation of a subway system, particularly at segments where the artificial ground freezing (AGF) method was applied in the soft clay area. In this paper, five group soil samples under different freezing temperatures (−5 °C, −10 °C, −15 °C, −20 °C, and −30 °C, respectively) were prepared to simulate different locations perpendicular to freeze tubes during one AGF circulation. Including one group of undisturbed soils, cyclic tri-axial tests were conducted on all samples, and the dynamic strains were measured and analyzed. The results show that the residual cumulative plastic strain of soft clay after artificial freeze-thaw under subway low-level repeated cyclic loading behaves quite differently from the typical Monismith’s power function development. A hyperbolic model of cumulative plastic strain of soft clay after artificial freeze-thaw is established and the relevant model parameters has been discussed for practical prediction. A critical cyclic stress ratio (CSR) of soft soil can be empirically calculated out by this practical model, only based on soil stress and soil physical state parameters without numerous cyclic tri-axial tests. All the results could provide significant reference for the safe control and environmental protection during AGF construction and subsequent subway operation.

Soil texture affects root penetration in Oxisols under sugarcane in Brazil

Two field trials were set up in Brazil to investigate the effects of soil tillage practices on soil physical condition, root distribution, and sugarcane yield in areas under sandy loam and clayey soils. Additionally, we identified the critical limits for sugarcane root development in soils under contrasting texture using the boundary line approach. The treatments with two tillage practices (conventional tillage - CT and no-tillage - NT) were established in a randomized block design with four replications within two paired areas, one under crop rotation and the other under bare fallow during the sugarcane replanting period. Measurements of soil bulk density (BD), macroporosity (MaP), microporosity (MiP), soil resistance to penetration (Pr), root biomass (RB) and sugarcane yield were performed. Soil MaP and MiP were not affected by the treatments in both soils. The Pr values were higher in NT than CT in both sites, especially in surface layers. For clayey soil, BD values were higher in NT at depths of 0.0–0.1 and 0.1–0.2 m in crop rotation and at the depth of 0.1–0.2 m in bare fallow area. Sugarcane yield for clayey soil (153 Mg ha−1) was more than twice that measured at the sandy soil (58 Mg ha−1). In general, the CT promoted a slight increase root production and did not affect sugarcane yields. In both soil types, most part of RB (60 to 70%) was concentrated near the sugarcane row (horizontal aspect) and within the top 0.4 m of depth (vertical profile), indicating that much of the root system is retained within the planting furrow. Our study demonstrates the potential for using the boundary line method to estimate the effects of BD and Pr on root growth. Root system was severely restricted at sandy soil when BD > 1.70 Mg m−3 and Pr > 1.5 MPa, while for clayey soil the critical values were BD > 1.25 Mg m−3 and Pr > 2.5 MPa. While our study provides valuable insights, we advocate that further studies should be done to better understand the effect of differing levels of BD and Pr for sugarcane yields in soils of different textures.

Simulated Traffic Dynamic Loading on Physical Properties of a Red Latosol under No-Tillage

The use of intensive mechanization in no-tillage areas can change soil physical conditions, mainly in the “Cerrado”, which has reduced cover ratio. This study aimed to evaluate physical and mechanical properties of a red latosol under no-tillage and subjected to simulated dynamic traffic in different surfaces conditions. For this, soil samples were collected, with dimensions of 0.2 × 0.2 × 0.3 m (height, width and length), in an area subjected to no-tillage in the last four years. Subsequently, samples were transported to the laboratory and subjected to different traffic levels in a simulator. Shortly after, a completely randomized experimental design was set up, in factorial 2 × 5, with two covers (with and without haystack) and five traffic levels (zero, one, two, four and eight run overs) applied by the simulator. Assessed physical properties were superficial settlement, soil density, compaction degree and pre-consolidation pressure. Results showed that superficial settlement, soil density and compaction degree were significantly influenced by soil cover and traffic intensity. Pre-consolidation was not affected by cover, and had higher values when subjected to more traffic intensity.

Physical-hydraulic soil attributes in an integrated production system with different “paricá” forest component arrangements

Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare the structural quality and water retention curve of a Haplustox under single, double, and triple “paricá” (Ochroma pyramidale) lines in an integrated production system at 50 months of implantation. Soil was collected from five sampling points considering the distances from the tree lines. Undisturbed samples were collected from the 0.00-0.10 and 0.10-0.20-m layers in order to assess porosity, density, soil penetration resistance, soil water retention curve, and the “S” index. The forest arrangement based on three paricá lines promoted better soil physical conditions than the system using single lines. The main changes were recorded in the 0.10-0.20-m layer, with increased microporosity and decreased cryptoporosity and resistance to penetration. The arrangements using single and double paricá lines result in higher volume of available water and greater soil compaction.

Effect of brackish water irrigation on soil degradation and performance of salt tolerant wheat and maize genotypes

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of brackish water on soil physical and chemical conditions and yield of wheat and maize genotypes at the farmers’ field. Two salt tolerant genotypes for each crop were selected from previous hydroponic and lysimeters studies. Wheat-maize cropping system was followed using tubewell brackish water alone and with chemical (gypsum) and organic (FYM) amendments. The results revealed that treatments have significant effect on all growth and yield parameters and followed the trend of T1&gt;T3 &gt;T4 &gt; T2. Highest grain yield of wheat genotypes (SARC-1 &amp; V-8670) was observed in control (4050 &amp; 3800 kg/ha) and lowest was in T2 (2862 &amp; 2200 kg/ha). Similar trend was observed in maize fodder yield that was 9625 &amp; 8875 kg/ha in control and 4350 &amp; 2253 kg/ha in T2 for Sahiwal-02 and Akbar, respectively. Maximum reduction in wheat grain and maize fodder yield observed in T2 (tubewell water alone) where high EC, SAR and RSC water was applied that was 39 &amp; 57% for 1st year (wheat crop) and 89 &amp; 74% for 2nd year (maize crop) respectively. Data revealed that use of gypsum and FYM along with brackish water improved the wheat grain yield and maize fodder as compared to T2. More adverse effect of brackish water was observed in high EC, SAR and RSC treatment (tubewell water alone) as compared to other treatments. Application of amendments (gypsum and FYM) along with brackish tubewell water reduced adverse effect of brackish water. Among genotypes SARC-1 and Sahiwal-2002 performed better in all treatments and textures especially under brackish water treatments.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(4): 693-705, December 2017

Factors influencing the natural regeneration of the pioneering shrub Calligonum mongolicum in sand dune stabilization plantations in arid deserts of northwest China.

Calligonum mongolicum is a successful pioneer shrub to combat desertification, which is widely used for vegetation restoration in the desert regions of northwest China. In order to reveal the limitations to natural regeneration of C. mongolicum by asexual and sexual reproduction, following the process of sand dune stabilization, we assessed clonal shoots, seedling emergence, soil seed bank density, and soil physical characteristics in mobile and stabilized sand dunes. Controlled field and pot experiments were also conducted to assess germination and seedling emergence in different dune soil types and seed burial depths. The population density of mature C. mongolicum was significantly different after sand dune stabilization. Juvenile density of C. mongolicm was much lower in stabilized sand dunes than mobile sand dune. There was no significant difference in soil seed bank density at three soil depths between mobile and stabilized sand dunes, while the emergence of seedlings in stabilized dunes was much lower than emergence in mobile dunes. There was no clonal propagation found in stabilized dunes, and very few C. mongolicum seedlings were established on stabilized sand dunes. Soil clay and silt content, air‐filled porosity, and soil surface compaction were significantly changed from mobile sand dune to stabilized dunes. Seedling emergence of C. mongolicm was highly dependent on soil physical condition. These results indicated that changes in soil physical condition limited clonal propagation and seedling emergence of C. mongolicum in stabilized sand dunes. Seed bank density was not a limiting factor; however, poor seedling establishment limited C. mongolicum's further natural regeneration in stabilized sand dunes. Therefore, clonal propagation may be the most important mode for population expansion in mobile sand dunes. As a pioneer species C. mongolicum is well adapted to propagate in mobile sand dune conditions, it appears unlikely to survive naturally in stabilized sand dune plantations.

Humic substances and aggregate stability in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil

PurposeThe paper describes rhizospheric (Rs) and non-rhizospheric (nRs) soil to demonstrate the zone of the plant root impact on physical and chemical properties of the soil. The effects of the process accompanying the transformations of organic matter into humic substances in the rhizosphere of “common dandelion” Taraxacum officinale have been determined, and the properties of humic acids (HAs) were described. The importance of iron and clay minerals for the formation of a stable and water-resistant soil structure has been emphasized.Materials and methodsThe laboratory analysis involved determination of basic physical and chemical soil properties: texture, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity, and content of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and quality of humic substances: optical properties of HAs and its separation into hydrophilic (HIL) and hydrophobic (HOB) fractions, speciation of iron, glomalin operationally described as an easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP), and soil aggregate stability (SAS) of six size classes of soil aggregates.Results and discussionThe Rs was reported with a higher TOC and DOC content (measured in the CaCl2 extracts), however not significantly. The HAs isolated from Rs revealed a significantly higher content of humic substances at its initial decomposition stage, as compared with nRs. A significantly higher concentration of EE-GRSP was noted in the aggregates of the rhizospheric zone (mean 1.14 g kg−1) than in the aggregates collected from root-free soil (mean 0.94 g kg−1). There was noted the highest mean share of 1–3 mm soil aggregates in Rs as well as in nRs, respectively 44.4 and 38.3%. The soil material both in Rs and in nRs contained high amounts of exchangeable Ca2+, and smectite is the predominant clay mineral. It was favorable for the accumulation of organic carbon and for the formation of good soil physical condition (tilth). Higher but insignificant SAS values were observed for Rs (mean SAS = 95.6%) than for nRs (mean SAS = 93.9%).ConclusionsThe studies confirm the role of common dandelion roots in the process of organic carbon accumulation in rhizospheric zone and a favorable effect on the mechanism of the formation of water-resistant aggregates. Higher values of SAS for the Rs were affected by the content of TOC, DOC, exchangeable Ca2+ and the concentration of EE-GRSP, and, less considerably, the content of Fe and clay minerals.

Changes in Methane Flux along a Permafrost Thaw Sequence on the Tibetan Plateau.

Permafrost thaw alters the physical and environmental conditions of soil and may thus cause a positive feedback to climate warming through increased methane emissions. However, the current knowledge of methane emissions following thermokarst development is primarily based on expanding lakes and wetlands, with upland thermokarst being studied less often. In this study, we monitored the methane emissions during the peak growing seasons of two consecutive years along a thaw sequence within a thermo-erosion gully in a Tibetan swamp meadow. Both years had consistent results, with the early and midthaw stages (3 to 12 years since thaw) exhibiting low methane emissions that were similar to those in the undisturbed meadow, while the emissions from the late thaw stage (20 years since thaw) were 3.5 times higher. Our results also showed that the soil water-filled pore space, rather than the soil moisture per se, in combination with the sand content, were the main factors that caused increased methane emissions. These findings differ from the traditional view that upland thermokarst could reduce methane emissions owing to the improvement of drainage conditions, suggesting that upland thermokarst development does not always result in a decrease in methane emissions.

Sustainable rice-wheat cropping system in eastern India-Long term effects on soil physical conditions with integrated nutrient management

Sustainable rice-wheat cropping system in eastern India-Long term effects on soil physical conditions with integrated nutrient management

Effect of Cropping Sequence on Agricultural Crops: Implications for Productivity and Utilization of Natural Resources

Offensive land uses system with continuous growing of similar crops on the same land largely affect soil physical condition, crop development and had big concerns on long term adverse effects of environmental pollution. The choice of sequence highly based on agricultural system, finance and environmental condition. Conventional monoculture agricultural systems can reduce the soil organic matter contents and structures. The accumulation of crop residues with frequent inclusion of pulse crops in a rotation is vital to improve the biochemical and physical properties of the soil via increasing the labile of organic matter. Surface residue of crops is one of the most effective erosion control measures and increase soil moisture content. Different crops have dissimilar growth and development periods thus, one crop may provide protection from erosive forces during a period of the year and the other may not. Besides, crop rotation combines with different management practices are essential to improve the physical, chemical, biological properties of the soil and thereby control erosion and to maximize crop yield by maintain soil moisture and control disease and pests infestation.

Strength and Stability of Aggregates as the Key Indicators for Evaluating Soil Physical Conditions

Strength and Stability of Aggregates as the Key Indicators for Evaluating Soil Physical Conditions

The effect of soil physical amendments on reclamation of a saline-sodic soil: simulation of salt leaching using HYDRUS-1D

Poor soil physical conditions such as low hydraulic conductivity can limit salt depletion from surface soil. Altering the pore system by addition of organic and inorganic amendments may improve salt leaching as a reclamation strategy. Column studies were conducted to investigate salt leaching in amended and non-amended soil profiles. A one-dimensional water and solute transport model (HYDRUS-1D) was also assessed for its applicability to simulate salt leaching for amendment strategy. Columns of length 300mm were filled with saline-sodic soil at the lower end (100–300mm) and then covered with soil amended with 40% (wt/wt) fine sand and 20% (wt/wt) wood chips, separately. A control column was filled with saline-sodic soil only. One rainfall scenario typical for a location in south-west Queensland (Australia) was applied to the columns. Water potentials were monitored using tensiometers installed at three depths: 35, 120 and 250mm. The concentrations of individual cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+), electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio of the soil solutions were also monitored for the investigated depths. A reduction in surface salinity (up to 28.5%) was observed in the amended soil profiles. This study indicated that the addition of wood chips to surface soil improved salt leaching under the tested conditions. The simulation successfully predicted both hydrology and chemistry of the columns. This study also concluded that HYDRUS-1D is a powerful tool to simulate salt leaching in the amended soil profiles, and can be applied to predict the success of amendment strategy under natural climatic conditions.

Mycorrhizal Symbioses of Cotton Grown on Sodic Soils: A Review from an Australian Perspective

The majority of terrestrial plants form some type of mycorrhizal symbiosis. This established symbiosis therefore exists in most commercially important crops, which includes cotton. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) can colonise 50%–90% of cotton root length under field and controlled conditions. Mycorrhization improves growth and nutrient uptake (especially phosphorus) of cotton, particularly at the early growth stages. Mycorrhizal symbioses help plants to counter the stresses imposed by physical and chemical soil constraints; however, adverse environmental conditions may restrict the mycorrhizal associations and consequently may reduce nutrient uptake and impair plant growth. In Australia, cotton is mainly grown on sodic soils that contain more than 6% of the total cations as exchangeable sodium. High levels of sodium in the soil create adverse physical and chemical soil conditions that may negatively affect mycorrhizal symbioses of cotton. This review discusses the cotton mycorrhizal colonisation, plant growth, and disease protection effects, potential negative effects of physical and chemical properties of sodic soils, and influences of some agronomic management practices. In addition, the research gaps were identified and some practical applications of the research outcomes were suggested.

Carbon stocks and fluxes in the high latitudes: using site-level data to evaluate Earth system models

Abstract. It is important that climate models can accurately simulate the terrestrial carbon cycle in the Arctic due to the large and potentially labile carbon stocks found in permafrost-affected environments, which can lead to a positive climate feedback, along with the possibility of future carbon sinks from northward expansion of vegetation under climate warming. Here we evaluate the simulation of tundra carbon stocks and fluxes in three land surface schemes that each form part of major Earth system models (JSBACH, Germany; JULES, UK; ORCHIDEE, France). We use a site-level approach in which comprehensive, high-frequency datasets allow us to disentangle the importance of different processes. The models have improved physical permafrost processes and there is a reasonable correspondence between the simulated and measured physical variables, including soil temperature, soil moisture and snow. We show that if the models simulate the correct leaf area index (LAI), the standard C3 photosynthesis schemes produce the correct order of magnitude of carbon fluxes. Therefore, simulating the correct LAI is one of the first priorities. LAI depends quite strongly on climatic variables alone, as we see by the fact that the dynamic vegetation model can simulate most of the differences in LAI between sites, based almost entirely on climate inputs. However, we also identify an influence from nutrient limitation as the LAI becomes too large at some of the more nutrient-limited sites. We conclude that including moss as well as vascular plants is of primary importance to the carbon budget, as moss contributes a large fraction to the seasonal CO2 flux in nutrient-limited conditions. Moss photosynthetic activity can be strongly influenced by the moisture content of moss, and the carbon uptake can be significantly different from vascular plants with a similar LAI. The soil carbon stocks depend strongly on the rate of input of carbon from the vegetation to the soil, and our analysis suggests that an improved simulation of photosynthesis would also lead to an improved simulation of soil carbon stocks. However, the stocks are also influenced by soil carbon burial (e.g. through cryoturbation) and the rate of heterotrophic respiration, which depends on the soil physical state. More detailed below-ground measurements are needed to fully evaluate biological and physical soil processes. Furthermore, even if these processes are well modelled, the soil carbon profiles cannot resemble peat layers as peat accumulation processes are not represented in the models. Thus, we identify three priority areas for model development: (1) dynamic vegetation including (a) climate and (b) nutrient limitation effects; (2) adding moss as a plant functional type; and an (3) improved vertical profile of soil carbon including peat processes.

Formation, properties and revegetation prospects for bauxite processing residue and the effects of seawater neutralisation

Partial neutralisation of bauxite residue (by treatment with seawater) prior to its deposition in land-based lagoons or impoundments minimises the need to treat the alkaline, sodic drainage both during operation of the alumina refinery and following its closure. Some of the Na present in the residue is replaced by Mg, Ca and K present in the seawater and reactive, soluble alkalinity is converted to poorly soluble alkaline solids (Mg and Ca hydroxides and hydroxycarbonates) with the result that the pH is reduced from 10-13 down to 8.5-9.0. However, the extent to which pH rises again during storage is unclear. There are, as yet, no reports of revegetation of seawater neutralised material. Growth limiting factors are likely to include alkalinity, sodicity, salinity, nutrient deficiencies and poor soil physical conditions but the severity of these constraints are as yet unknown. Research into the technology required for revegetation of this material is warranted.

Agrophysical and Biological Properties of Drainage Soils in Land Reclamation

This paper presents the results of the research carried out in the All-Russian Research Institute of Reclaimed Lands. It has been established that land improvement techniques increased the integral index of physical soil conditions from 0.41-0.60 to 0.80-0.86. The soil demonstrated a greater total number of microorganisms, as well as certain physiological groups such as actinomycetes, autochthonous and especially nitrogen-fixers; but the number of fungi and denitrifiers, as well as the fungi causing the Fusarium wilt of the plants, decreased.Average crops increase achieved with the help of deep reclaiming band tillage of drained gleyish soil to depth 50-60 cm was 9.0-24.1% in both wet and dry years. This land improvement technique effect lasts for two-three years or longer. The ridged plowing compared to the ordinary plowing raised the spring crops by 0.55-0.61 ton/ha (by 16.9-17.5%) without making any additional expenditures.