Virgin Land Research Articles

The impact of technologies for the development and use of virgin, fallow lands on agroecological stability and soil fertility

Relevance. The research was carried out in order to analyze the impact of technologies for the development of virgin and fallow lands on erosion processes in the steppe zone in the 60s and modern conditions.Methods. The analysis of approaches to the prevention of soil degradation and desertification of the territory is carried out based on materials obtained in the steppe zone of the Republic of Khakassia in the second half of the XX century and in modern conditions. We used the results of the application of technologies for the development of virgin and fallow lands of Tselinnoye LLC in different periods. Information about dust storms was taken from data from the Bey and Shire weather stations. In 1954–1960 when plowing the chernozem of the southern virgin lands, technology was used using plows, huskers and other tillage tools. The lack of adapted ways of developing and using new lands has led to an outbreak of wind erosion of soils over large areas, including in the south-east of the country.Results. The dump system of soil treatment during the mass development of virgin and fallow lands in the 60s, without taking into account soil, climatic and other conditions, led to a strong development of wind erosion. The number of days with dust storms in Khakassia reached up to 4.8–11.6 per year. In modern conditions, the removal of highly ventilated soils from arable lands and the use of strip placement of crops and minimal tillage on the rest of the arable land contribute to increasing the erosion resistance of agricultural landscapes. The use of the Tornado 500 herbicide in August during the development of the deposit reduces the erodibility by 2.5 times, compared with the technology with its introduction in early summer.

Interpreting the demic diffusion of early farming in Europe with a three-population model

In 1971, Ammerman and Cavalli-Sforza demonstrated that reaction-diffusion equations could be usefully applied to the archaeological question of the spread of early farming in Europe. Their basic premise was demic diffusion, i.e., the iterative short-range colonization of virgin land by the descendants of the original Near Eastern farmers. This hypothesis has been vindicated by ancient DNA studies, which show limited acculturation of the autochthonous hunter-gatherers, who when converted to farming were apparently assimilated into preexisting farming communities. In this brief report, I describe a reaction-diffusion model incorporating various interactions among the Near Eastern farmers, converted farmers, and hunter-gatherers. Predictions, derived in terms of the model parameters, are examined vis-à-vis the ancient DNA and archaeological evidence. Of particular interest is the theoretical requirement that the hunter-gatherers behaved more competitively toward the converted farmers than the Near Eastern (specifically Anatolian) famers. Based on “Ammerman AJ, Cavalli-Sforza LL. Measuring the rate of spread of early farming in Europe. Man 1971; 6: 674-688.”

The Baltic Peoples in the Development of Virgin Lands in Kazakhstan: Cultural Relations and Standards / Deviations in Everyday Life (The 1950s–1960s)

The Baltic Peoples in the Development of Virgin Lands in Kazakhstan: Cultural Relations and Standards / Deviations in Everyday Life (The 1950s–1960s)

Study on Characteristics of Soil Profile Stability Indexes in Sakita

This research examines the suitability of soil as infrastructure which can help in the classification and identification of its properties for ideal engineering structures. Sakita, an area in Gesse III as a case study, is a virgin land, allocated for residential buildings. The need to investigate the soil profile in the report area prompted these studies as its physical properties are used for classifying its various engineering applications. These properties indicate qualitative behaviors of soil when subjected to various types of loads. Apart from physical/visual observation made of the soil, trial pits were dug to depths of 0.5m, 1.0m, 1.5m, 2.0m, and 2.5m respectively and disturbed soil samples were taken for tests. The disturbed soil samples obtained were analyzed for grading including mechanical sieve analysis, specific gravity, plastic limit, liquid limit, and bulk density tests. The resistances of the cone against penetration, compaction, consolidation, and permeability properties were also assessed. The detected geotechnical properties varied significantly with depth, except for specific gravity, which did not vary significantly at 0.5 m with depth. Soil samples from all pits consist mainly of poorly sorted gravel and sand with little fineness. They contain a medium- to coarse-grained fraction of sand on average above 85%. The puncture resistance obtained from the cone puncture test ranges from 100 knm2 to 950 knm2. The average safe bearing capacity estimated for the footing using a factor of safety of 3 at a depth of 1 m was not less than 473 km2 anywhere in the study area. The samples from the three locations generally have good compaction parameters, medium to high permeability, and low compressibility. The highest load-bearing capacity is associated with the lateralized basement ceiling. This means that the safety depth for placing infrastructure foundations in the prescribed research area (Sakita) is the depth where it meets the lateralized basement.

Organized labour migration of residents of Lithuania to the USSR in the sixth–ninth decades of the 20th century

Referring to archive and historiographic materials, in this paper problematics of labour migration to the USSR from Lithuania in 1953-1984 is analysed. Attention is drawn to migration directions, motivation of residents, quantitative indices, territorial aspects related to persons participating in labour migration process and social picture. Residents of Lithuania became participants of the campaign for organized all Soviet Union-wide labour force migration to participate in implementation of large and important land, forestry and industry projects. By the way, the residents of our Republic joined this campaign later than residents from other Republics – in 1953 only. Organized labour force migration from Lithuania to the USSR was of lower level that it had been planned in Moscow. The main directions of labour force migration were: 1) agriculture intensification program (virgin lands campaigns in Kazakhstan and Russia); 2) Russian forestry development program; 3) program of construction of gigantic transport and industrial objects in Russia (Siberia, etc.); 4) the “Third Semester” program – season-based works of students in industry and agriculture sectors of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and other Soviet Republics. In 6th-9th decades of the 20th century, about 75 thousand residents of Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic were sent to work in other regions of the Soviet Union; labour migrants worked on industrial objects, farms and forestry units. Mostly, they were men from urban areas, by ethnic composition – Russians and Lithuanians. The most intensive time period of sending to work as labour migrants was the 1953-1965 period, as at that time in Kazakhstan and Russia huge programs of economic development had been implemented (virgin lands campaign, forestry development). Namely during this period, over 80 per cent of residents of Lithuania who participated in this campaign were sent to labour destinations. Although in later years the migration campaign covered entire Lithuania, its scale diminished markedly. Due to certain national traits of Lithuanians (sedentary life, attachment to the land) and social-economic situation in the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (fast and intensive industry development ensuring quite good wages, well-developed social infrastructure, etc.), the residents of Lithuania liked to conclude short-term employment agreements, and after termination of these agreements made efforts to return to Lithuania and stay there not attracted by labour migration campaign anymore.

Virgin Land Development: History Lessons for Modern Russian Land and Environmental Law

Virgin Land Development: History Lessons for Modern Russian Land and Environmental Law

Migration of Udmurts from the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic to Kazakhstan in the 1960s

The article is devoted to the migration of Udmurts from the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic to the Kazakh SSR in the 1960s. from the perspective of the frontier concept. The Udmurts are one of the Finno-Ugric peoples, who are also quite large. For a long time, the Udmurts lived relatively compactly, located mainly on the territory of several subjects. The largest part was in Udmurtia, where even in 1959 76.2% of all Udmurts of the Union lived. However, already in 1970 the share had dropped to 68.7%, which was undoubtedly caused by migration. One of the main flows of migrants went to the Kazakh SSR, where virgin lands were actively being developed during this period. In just one intercensus period (from 1959 to 1970), the number of Udmurts in Kazakhstan increased fourfold. Obviously, such an increase in such a short time was ensured by migration. The purpose of the study is to consider the migration of Udmurts from the Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic to Kazakhstan in the 1960s. The sources of the research were mainly statistical materials: population censuses and current accounting materials. Since 1960, mechanical movement materials began to be compiled also for rural areas, which makes it possible to obtain and use more complete information about migrations. Office documentation was also used.

Heavy Metal Accumulation Trends for Tsunga, Tomatoes and Rape in Soils from Two Provinces of Zimbabwe

Tomatoes, tsunga (mustard) and rape were sampled from Mashonaland East and Central provinces of Zimbabwe. Aim was to assess hyper accumulative tendency of these towards heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb). Most of these heavy metals were noted to be of anthropogenic origin. Co, Mn and Cr were noted to be naturally inherent in Mushimbo, Mutoko soils. Heavy metal levels in irrigation water were within internationally acceptable ranges according to ATSDR. There was no direct reflection of level dependency between the water and plants studied. Bioaccumulation of cadmium and lead levels occurred in all vegetables despite low levels in the soil environment. High heavy metal levels in arable land as compared to virgin land proves contamination at play and also the anthropogenic origin. It was concluded that different vegetables accrue different heavy metals at different rates under the same environment. It was recommended to do more investigations on factors that determine absorption and hyper accumulation tendency of heavy metals in plants. This data could be used as a basis for recommending what crops to grow and in specific areas hence promote food safety in addition to food security for the nation.

Processes of humus loss in leached chernozem soils of the North Kazakhstan region

This article discusses the processes of dehumification and loss of humus in leached chernozem soils of agricultural lands of the North Kazakhstan region due to mineralization and as a result of erosion processes. Modern rates of soil dehumification lead to a decrease in the fertility of agricultural land and a decrease in yields, soil fertility is a valuable resource. The intensive process of decomposition of organic matter and its dehumidification occurs as a result of plowing virgin soil and as a result of its improper use in agricultural conditions. In the North Kazakhstan region, after the development of virgin lands, trends of intensive soil dehumidification are widespread. It was found that the object of study, leached chernozem, loses 0.69 t/ha by mineralization of humus and 0.011 t/ha as a result of erosion processes. Due to the long-term agricultural use of the land, improper construction of soil protection works, lack of organic substances that complement the humus composition of the soil, the balance of humus is disturbed, and organic substances connect soil structures with each other, increasing resistance to environmental factors. The destruction of soil structures of the plowed soil layer, the predominance of dust structures, thinning of the humus layer and the intensity of erosion processes were revealed.

КАРТИНЫ «ЦЕЛИННОГО ЦИКЛА» В.Ф. СТОЖАРОВА КАК ОБРАЗЕЦ ЛАНДШАФТНОЙ ЖИВОПИСИ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ЭКСПОЗИЦИИ МУЗЕЯ ЗЕМЛЕВЕДЕНИЯ МГУ)

Scientific and artistic descriptions of three paintings by Vladimir F. Stozharov (1926-1973) are given, namely: “Kazakh small hills”, “Peneplain of Central Kazakhstan”, and “Geologists in Kazakhstan”. The pictures were painted in 1955 following Stozharov’s creative trip to Central Kazakhstan in the summer of 1954 specifically for the Earth Science Museum of Moscow State University, which was being formed at that time. They have become part of the landscape painting gallery, but are almost unknown to a wide range of specialists. Being part of Stozharov’s “Virgin land cycle,” these three canvases are united by a single theme, namely, the landscapes of the Kazakh small hills. The article also examines Stozharov’s life path and the geography of his creative trips. Without pretending to provide an exhaustive analysis of the artist’s work, the authors focus on Stozharov’s “Virgin lands cycle.”

Current status of reference location in the basic model for assessment of external radiation doses to the population living in radioactively contaminated areas after the Chernobyl accident

An open plot of virgin land is the reference location in the basic model used to date to estimate the effective dose of external exposure to the population living in a radioactively contaminated area. As our field observations in the Bryansk region of Russia have shown, at present it is very difficult to find truly reference plots of virgin land due to the fact that many virgin meadows were plowed or reclaimed for more than 30 years after the Chernobyl accident. Without special instrumental survey, such disturbed meadow areas can easily be confused with areas of virgin soil. Therefore, the situation with the use of open areas of virgin soil as the reference location has changed dramatically since the first years after the Chernobyl accident. It requires a change in the approach to choosing such a location for the model and/or some revision of the structure of the model itself. Firstly, we propose and justify the use of a permanently cultivated kitchengarden plot as the reference location. The second way to resolve the current difficult situation with the presence of a sufficient number of the virgin soil sites could be excluding the very concept of “reference location” from the model. In this case, when calculating the effective dose of external radiation, it is proposed to directly use the values of the gamma radiation dose rate in the air normalized to the 137Cs contamination density of soil. The values of the normalized dose rate should be experimentally determined in the required time period for each of the locations taken into account in the model.

Steppe ecosystems of the arid zone of southern Russia as a factor in the effective development of livestock farming

The aim of the research is to assess the current state of steppe ecosystems, which are subjected to human impact and to provide scientifically‐based proposals for the conservation and regeneration of their natural potential.The object of the study is the steppe ecosystems of the arid zone in the Stavropol Territory. The research conducted in 2019–2021 included the use of methods and techniques, encompassing the geobotanical, economic and statistical, abstract and logical, computational and constructive.An analysis of the natural resource potential of the steppes in the arid zone of Stavropol Territory showed a discrepancy between the current livestock and the carrying capacity of this territory. The forage for grazing is about 830 thousand tons of feed units, which is 1.5 times lower than the livestock needs. The predominant plant associations are wormwoodbluegrass‐sedge, bluegrass‐sheep fescue‐wormwood, bluegrass‐feather grass‐wormwood, bluegrass‐ wormwood‐salt grass with low species diversity – from 10 to 17 species per 100 m2. The plant cover of the soil is from 30 to 60 %, which indicates its sparseness. The average biological yield of phytomass is 7.0 kg/ha of air‐dry matter. The species diversity of the steppe communities is represented by weed species that have low forage quality. In natural phytocenoses, the cereals dominant in forming cenoses in virgin land, have been lost. There are no any representatives of the legume family in the plant stand.The scientific approach to sustainable development, conservation and regeneration of the potential of natural ecosystems in agricultural landscapes involves the rational use and improvement (rehabilitation) of the remaining low‐yield natural grass stands that have lost the ability of regeneration.

Comparison quality parameters of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) produced in Herat, Afghanistan and Torbat Heydarieh, Iran

Saffron Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) is one of the most valuable and expensive medicinal plants in the world. In order to compare the quality characteristics of saffron in Afghanistan and Iran, samples of dried C. sativus from different saffron-producing regions of Herat province (Afghanistan) and Torbat Heydarieh county (Iran) were collected in the year 2021. The experiment was analyzed in GLM format and Nested method with three replications. The samples of saffron produced from seven different districts of Herat province in Afghanistan, including Injil, Karukh, Guzara, Pashtun Zarghun, Zendeh Jan, Ghoryan, Obeh and nine saffron-producing villages (Fakhrabad, Kadkan, Nasar, Ghaleno, Feizabad, Khorgh, Abrood, Benhang, Shadmehr) of Torbat Heydarieh county in Iran were examined. The results showed that the effect of country and region (districts and villages) on the quality traits of saffron (crocin, picrocrocin and safranal) was significant. Moreover, the comparison of the mean values indicated the presence of significant differences in the qualitative characteristics of saffron among the different investigated villages of Torbat Heydarieh. The saffron produced in Afghanistan had the highest amount of crocin (on average 279.1 ɷ 440nm) and picrocrocin (on average 101 ϕ 257nm), while the highest value of safranal (on average 34.2 θ 330nm) was observed in saffron samples produced in Iran. The highest amount of the above quality traits belonged to the saffron of Zendeh Jan Herat region 5 (Af5, crocin: 303 ɷ 440 nm, picrocrocin: 106 ϕ 257 nm, safranal: 33 θ 330 nm), while the five Torbat Heydarieh villages had the lowest quality of saffron (Ir5, crocin: 164 ɷ 440nm, picrocrocin: 71 ϕ 257 nm, safranal: 34 θ 330 nm). In the comprehensive analysis of saffron-producing regions in Afghanistan and Iran, in terms of the qualitative attributes (crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal) it was evident that regions 1 to 6 in Herat, Afghanistan (Af1, Af2, Af3, Af4, Af5, Af6) and the Abrood village of Torbat Heidarieh, Iran (Ir7) formed a distinct cluster, demonstrating superior quality compared to other regions. Furthermore, with the exception of the Feizabad village of Torbat Heydarieh (Ir5), all examined samples surpassed the saffron ISO international standard and were categorized as first-grade quality. The exceptional quality of Herat saffron from Afghanistan is likely attributable to the unique geographical features, virgin lands, and specific climatic conditions across diverse cultivation areas.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE VIRGIN LAND MEGAPROJECT: VIRGIN LAND SPACE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

The results of studies of the eastern sector of Eurasia's steppe zone from the Volga region to the Altai on the subject of the dynamics of the steppe titularity are presented. The rapid and almost complete replacement of zonal steppe ecosystems on the plains with grain fields, which was produced by the Soviet Virgin Land Megaproject, formed a specific virgin space in the steppe zone. As a result of subsequent transformations, it developed into a post-virgin space, then transformed into an agro-export one. The leading factors of the formation of these spaces, their main qualitative characteristics, and specific features are described. The totality of the Virgin Land megaproject and the mass abandonment of fields, which has shown the self-restoring potential of the steppes, are considered as a unique experiment in the renewal of steppe grass stands. Taking into account the existing and new trends, we suggest an outline of the transition to a compromising space organized according to the principle of optimum economy and natural communities.

God is not back: the long-term effects of Soviet secularism

ABSTRACT How effective was Soviet secularization and what is its long-term legacy? This paper investigates the lasting effects of Khrushchev’s Virgin Lands Campaign (1950s) on the current level of Orthodox religiosity in eastern Russia using an original district (raion)-level dataset that combines historical and contemporary evidence. By employing various matching techniques and an instrumental variable approach, I identify significant effects of the Virgin Lands cultivation on diminishing the role of religion even 60 years later. Moreover, I demonstrate that the resettlement of Communist Youth League (Komsomol) members and the destruction of traditional social relations may have worked as key mechanisms that contributed to the legacy effects. This study offers one of the first micro-level empirical investigations into the impact of Communism-driven secularization, and contributes to the emerging inquiry into the historical legacy of communism.

Mastering of virgin lands in Uzbekistan (as an example of Surkhan-Sherabad deserts, 1950-1980)

In the article, under the influence of the agrarian policy of the Soviet government in Uzbekistan in the 1950s-1980s, the issues of the mastering of virgin lands in Surkhan-Sherabad, the establishment of regions and cotton fields on new lands were thoroughly analyzed using the information from archival documents and periodical press publications.

THE HISTORY OF PEOPLES IN KAZAKHSTAN DURING THE VIRGIN LANDS: PROCESS AND CONSEQUENCES

The article describes the demographic impact of the peoples who moved to Kazakhstan during the years of development of virgin and fallow lands, one of the largest reforms under the Soviet regime. During this resettlement process, the number of diasporas in Kazakh lands increased dramatically, and the Kazakh people became a minority. This was especially evident in the northern regions of Kazakhstan, where virgin lands were built up. Over the years of developing virgin and fallow lands, Kazakhstan has moved from various industries to the forefront in the union republics. Also during the migration process there were visitors from other countries, except for the union republics. In particular, the Kazakhs who moved to China during the famine were given the opportunity to return to their homeland. Such an event, to a lesser extent, had a significant impact on the share of the Kazakh population in the demographic situation. This migration process was large-scale both territorially and ethnically. During the period in which the chronology of the virgin lands entered, the movement of peoples was also directed to an external channel. Chechens, Ingush, Karachays, Balkars, and others who were involuntarily deported to Kazakhstan during World War II. The peoples were able to return to their homeland. However, most of them remained in Kazakhstan. The article uses monographs, articles and statistical collections of researchers from the beginning of the Mother of God years to the present day. In addition, with the help of the historical-comparative method, the migration process of the peoples of this period was compared with statistical data.

International Scientific and Practical Conference “Problems of Soil Fertility in Current Agriculture” dedicated to the 70th anniversary of virgin and abandoned lands development (Krasnoyarsk, June 24–28, 2024)

International Scientific and Practical Conference “Soil fertility problems in current agriculture” (hereinafter referred to as Conference) took place on June 24–28, 2024, in Krasnoyarsk (Russia) to mark 70 years since virgin and long-abandoned lands were put into the agricultural use. The Conference attracted more than hundred participants, including three full and two corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 doctors and 46 candidates of sciences, as well as postgraduate and doctoral students, researchers from the scientific centers and institutes of Krasnoyarsk and other regions of Russia, and also from Kazakhstan and Belarus. Sectional topics were as following: changes in soil and agrochemical properties during agricultural land use; urgent issues in soil degradation and soil-protection agriculture; assessment and regulation of soil fertility and agricultural productivity; the role of species and cultivar composition of agrocenoses in soil production capacity; digital technologies in agriculture, remote and ground monitoring of agroecosystems; history of virgin and abandoned lands development. The plenary lectures and other Conference materials are published in a book “Soil fertility problems in current agriculture” (2024). Besides the plenary and sectional events, the Conference participants attended a field trip to see experimental fields and soil profiles in Krasnoyarsk Region and Khakassia and enjoyed excursions around Krasnoyarsk and the National Park “Krasnoyarskiye Stolby”. The Conference provided a forum for discussing diverse and the most urgent issues of current agriculture and for getting acquainted with new approaches, concepts and technologies, applied in various spheres of agronomy for solving land use and soil preservation problems. The Conference participants, emphasizing its importance, expressed their confidence that Conference results and resolution will promote the progress of the agricultural industry in Russia.

Исторические предпосылки и современные проблемы вовлечения в оборот неиспользуемых сельскохозяйственных земель

The article presents the results of the historical and economic analysis of the implementation of large-scale projects for the development of virgin and fallow lands in the eastern and southeastern regions of the USSR in the 50-60s and increasing the efficiency of the use of unproductive lands on the basis of their reclamation in the Non-Chernozem zone of the RSFSR in the 70-80s of the last century, which testify to both their positive and negative impact on the development of agro-industrial production and the state of the natural environment. The conclusions of the analysis indicate the need to take into account the lessons of history in the planning and implementation of modern programs for the involvement of unused agricultural land in active turnover.

ПОЧВООБРАБАТЫВАЮЩИЕ ФРЕЗЫ ДЛЯ ОСНОВНОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ ПОЧВЫ И ВОССТАНОВЛЕНИЯ ЗАДЕРНЕННЫХ УГОДИЙ

Milling is one of the most effective methods of processing of heavy over-compacted soils, recultivation of blackened lands and development of virgin and fallow lands. As a result of intensive loosening and mixing of the soil, the mineralization process accelerates. When choosing the type of milling unit and its operating modes, the depth of the humus horizon, the type and density of the soil, the thickness of the sod, the presence of shrubs, stones, stumps, hummocks, the microrelief of the soil, the contamination with rhizomatous and other weeds are taken into account. (Research purpose) The research purpose is analyzing the used tillage cutters for basic tillage and the returning of blackened lands into circulation. (Materials and methods) Considered the design features of tillage cutters used in basic tillage and in blackened areas. Systematized data about them. (Results and discussion) It was determined that various designs of cutters make it possible to effectively grind blackened and compacted soil, destroy above-ground vegetation, and level the surface soil layer. It was found that effective processing of blackened lands includes grinding the sod and embedding it in the soil to a depth of 20-25 centimeters, creating a loose homogeneous fertile soil layer. (Conclusions) Milling allows high-quality processing of heavy, including blackened soils. The technological operation of milling provides shredding of weeds, uniform processing of fields and leveling of the surface layer, increasing the air permeability and infiltration properties of soils, reducing the time to prepare for pre-sowing treatment by combining several technological operations when using combined cutters.