Development of precision farming technologies

The research was carried out on the territory of the Vladimir Opolye (Suzdal, Russian Federation). For the experimental site, in the watershed part of the plakor terrain with a slope of < 1°, a soil map was compiled. Field studies were carried out in a long-term stationary field experiment measuring 86 m by 280 m with the total area of 2.41 hectares. Four tillage systems were studied in the experiment: 1. generally accepted dump-annual dump plowing; 2. combined-energy-saving-alternation of small non-fall treatments with dump plowing of perennial grasses; 3. combined-tier-alternation of small non-fall treatments with plowing with a long-line plow of perennial grasses; 4. anti-erosion-alternation of deep non-fall treatments with plowing of perennial grasses. The results showed a different reaction of soil to agrotechnological techniques. Gray forest soils with a second humus horizon have a higher potential fertility, the advantage of which when applying moderate doses of mineral fertilizers was 3.3-4.4 centners per hectare of grain units compared to the background gray forest soils. A further increase in the dose negates these differences. Deep soil loosening by 25-27 cm also shows the advantage of soils with a second humus horizon, the yield increases were 4.4-5.2 centners per hectare.

Dark-humus soils on the updated soil map of Russian Federation scale 1 : 2.5 M

The dark-humus soil type was included in the updated legend of the Soil Map of the Russian Federation at scale 1 : 2.5 M, converted to the system of Soil Classification of Russia. The soil profile starts with the dark-humus horizon gradually merging to the parent rock; any mid-profile diagnostic horizons are absent. Large areas of dark-humus soils are found in the forest-steppe, steppe and taiga zones of the European Russia, Western and Central Siberia, in the Trans-Baikal region, the Altai-Sayany Mountains, and the Caucasus. The type of dark-humus soils comprises both mesomorphic soils (of normal moisture conditions) and soils with additional surface or ground-water moisture. The main prerequisites for the formation of dark-humus soils are, on the one hand, the climatic conditions favorable for the dark-humus horizon formation, and, on the other hand, parent material - mostly derivates of hard rocks, restricting the development of mid-profile diagnostic horizons. In the updated map, the following initial legend units are partially or completely converted to dark-humus soils: several units of chernozems, dark-gray forest and gray forest non-podzolized soils, soddy-taiga base-saturated and slightly unsaturated soils, several mountain soils, a significant part of soddy-calcareous soils, as well as some mountainous forest-meadow soils. The diversity of dark-humus soils subtypes is determined by secondary carbonate features, weak signs of clay accumulation and podzolization, alteration of the mineral mass, gley and cryogenic phenomena.

Estimation of anti-erosion effect of narrow forest belts around illuvial meadows

Novosilskaya zonal agroforestry experimental station was founded in 1921 for development measures to combat water erosion. In the article, the authors carried out the research to identify the soil-protective efficiency of agroforestry-meadow reclamation measures of the anti-erosion complex. The creation of spruce strips around the meadows, on the slope lands of the Glubkovsky dry fields contributed to a radical change in the soil cover: an increase in the humus horizon, the content of humus, and a decrease in the bulk mass. The studied anti-erosion measures had a positive effect on the fertility of illuvial soils.

Environmental properties of Phaeozems humus horizons of the Voronezh upland oak forest (Russia)

Within Voronezh city there is a green zone, the core of which are forest clusters of natural origin. The study sites are located in the recreational area of an upland oak forest. In such conditions, the forest litter and the upper soil horizon first experience transformation. All results were processed by StatSoft STATISTICA for Windows 10.0. In this study we found that low-thickness forest litter was formed in the Voronezh oak forest, in which the average content of macronutrients was (%): C – 2.91, N – 1.11, K – 0.32, and P – 0.18. These elements can be arranged in a variation series C > N > K > P. It is established that the edaphotope of oak forests of the forest-steppe has a favorable regime for the destruction of organic substances and the accumulation of decomposition products. The content of macronutrients in the forest litter and the upper part of the humus horizon is arranged in the same row N > K > P, which indicates their genetic relationship. The obtained data on the ecological state of the forest litter and the humus horizon of the gray forest soils of the oak forests of the megalopolis are important for understanding the biological cycle under conditions of technogenic and recreational loads.

REGULARITIES OF THE MICROELEMENT COMPOSITION FORMATION OF SOILS UNDER THE MOUNTAIN-MEADOW VEGETATION OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS

Report. The purpose of the work is to identify the features of the formation of the microelement composition of soils under the mountain meadow vegetation of the Greater Caucasus based on the analysis of literary materials and the results of our own field research. Methods. The study of the microelement composition of soils under subalpine and alpine vegetation was carried out on the territory of the Teberdinsky State Biosphere Reserve. Traditional methods of soil-geochemical studies were used with the laying of soil sections, the selection of soil samples and their analysis for the content of four trace elements (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd). Determination of trace elements was carried out by voltammetric and atomic absorption methods. The humus content was determined by the Tyurin method with wet salting, the pH of the water extract was determined potentiometrically. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed in the Statistica 10 program. The microelement composition of soil-forming rocks was compared with the clarks of chemical elements in the upper part of the continental crust; the microelement composition of mountain-meadow soils was compared with the clarks of the soils of the world. The radial distribution of trace elements in the soil profile was analyzed. The qualitative trace element composition of soils was characterized as a sequence of decreasing the content of trace elements in the humus horizon. Results. It is established that the microelement composition of soils under the mountain-meadow vegetation of the Western Caucasus is formed under specific conditions that affect the course of soil processes. High solar insolation, low temperatures, intensive humidification throughout the year affects the features of the processes of humification, the formation of clay minerals in the soil and other products of intra-soil weathering. The predominance of acid hydrolysis processes leads to the predominant accumulation of aluminosilicates, Fe hydroxides, chelated organomineral complexes in the soil profile, which play a leading role in the binding of trace elements. The microelement composition of mountain-meadow soils under subalpine vegetation is formed with more intensive processes of humus formation and oglinivaniya. These soils are characterized by a more pronounced biogenic accumulation of Cu and Zn in the humus horizon, the illuvial nature of the Cd distribution is more pronounced. The microelement composicomposition of mountain-meadow soils under alpine and rock-scree vegetation is formed against the background of relatively weakened processes of humus formation, humus accumulation and oglinivaniya. This affects the lower intensity of biogenic accumulation of trace elements, their leaching into the lower part of the profile. Conclusions. The main regularities of the formation of the microelement composition of mountain-meadow soils are determined by the special conditions in which these soils develop. The fixation of trace elements in mountain-meadow soils occurs mainly on aluminosilicates, Fe, Mn hydroxides and chelated organomineral complexes, which largely form the silty fraction. The movement of silty particles along the soil profile leads to the redistribution of trace elements associated with them. The granulometric composition, which is an indicator of the content of the silty fraction and its distribution along the soil profile, is of great importance when characterizing the microelement composition of mountain meadow soils. The established regularities of the formation of the microelement composition of mountain-meadow soils allow us to determine the main directions of economic activity that will contribute to the preservation of their ecological state. This is, first of all, the rational use of pasture resources of mountain meadows with the introduction of a system of alternating mowing, changing the main pastures with spare ones during the year for their restoration. An important component should be monitoring changes in the trace element composition of mountain meadow soils, which will allow timely response to changes and make adjustments to the structure of the use of these soils.

The Dynamics of the Reduction of Arable Land Areas According to their Long-term Monitoring in the Tomsk Region

The results of agroecological monitoring of arable and fallow lands are considered. It has been established that the content of humus and mobile phosphorus in the soils of the fallow, as well as the value of the salt pH, is lower than on arable land; mobile potassium is higher. This may be due to the migration of deposited potassium from the lower soil horizons into the humus horizon and its release from the absorbed state during the decomposition of organic matter. It was revealed that in fallow soils, the content of mobile phosphorus in the range of 150–600 mg/kg directly correlates with the value of salt pH (4–6 pH units), while this dependence is not observed on arable land.

PROCESSING WASTE FROM LOGGING AND WOOD PROCESSING ENTERPRISES INTO A NON-CONVENTIONAL RECLAMATION SUBSTRATE USING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY

In Russia, in the field of rapidly and dynamically developing woodworking industry, the issue of recycling waste from logging and woodworking enterprises is becoming relevant. The article reflects information about a new devel-oped technology for processing waste from logging and woodworking enterprises. The developers have proposed an environmentally friendly technology for processing organic waste into a product that has an effective reclamation effect and increases the natural potential of soils. The technology proposed by the authors is based on the unique technical capabilities of the developed installation - a highly efficient mill that grinds down to nano-sized fineness, and a highly efficient mixer that makes it possible to obtain homogeneous mixtures of various materials and different fineness. The unconventional substrate obtained in this way, due to the scientifically grounded composition and ratios of the composite components of organic waste, has effective reclamation properties that increase the soil potential, as well as restoring the fertility of the humus horizon. The use of an unconventional ameliorative substrate in nurseries increased the survival rate and growth rates of Scots pine seedlings both in the open field and in the greenhouse. Thus, the installation proposed by the authors in one technological operation enables the processing of waste from logging and woodworking enterprises and ultimately obtain a product that helps to increase soil potential of degraded lands

Effects of stand features and soil enzyme activity on spontaneous pedunculate oak regeneration in Scots pine dominated stands – implication for forest management

Background A challenge in current forestry is adaptation of managed forests to climate change, which is likely to alter the main processes of forest dynamics, i.e. natural regeneration. Scots pine will probably lose some parts of its distribution area in Europe. However, two native oaks, pedunculate and sessile may maintain or expand the area of their occurrence in central Europe. The utilization of spontaneous (not initialized by foresters) oak regeneration in Scots pine stands for the creation of next generation stands is one of the adaptation methods to climate change. Many factors influencing pedunculate oak regeneration are well known, but there is a lack of knowledge on the relation between soil enzyme activity and the establishment and development of the species. The aim of the study was to identify the relationships among stand characteristics, herb species composition, soil enzyme activity and the establishment or recruitment of oak regeneration in Scots pine-dominated stands. Results The one of the most influential factors shaping the oak seedling count was dehydrogenase activity in the humus horizon. We found that plots without litter and fern cover had higher seedling density. The raspberry ground cover and birch crown projection area had a positive influence on oak seedling number. The factor indicating good conditions for high density of oak saplings was phosphatase activity in the organic horizon. The same enzyme activity but in humus horizon described conditions in which more numerous recruits were observed. Conclusions The activity of soil enzymes can be used as the predictor of the establishment and advancement of oak regeneration but also could be seen as a new dimension of oak regeneration. The general density of spontaneous oak regeneration was not sufficient for the creation of new generation forest stands dominated by oak, but it is possible to use them as admixtures in new generation stands.

To the question of diagnostics and protection of soils from deflation in Stavropol territory

The research aim is to assess the degree of deflation when comparing traditional crop cultivation technology using soil treatment and no-till. Object of research is located on the territory of the Ipatovsky district of the Stavropol territory, where the method of evaluating the deflation of ordinary chernozems (WRB 2006 Voronic Chernozems Pachic) by morphometric indicators and properties of the soil profile has been tested on the example of 2 farms using different technologies. Methods. In this research, a morphometric method for estimating deflation was used, based on measuring the capacity of the humus horizon of soils based on data from manual drilling of wells fixed by GPS in 5-fold repetition. Results and practical significance. The obtained data revealed a decrease in the capacity of the humus horizon in the treated soils (on average by 19-21 cm) compared to the soils of the farm that has been using no-till technology for the past 13 years. The forest belt serves as a buffer zone, it accumulates the dusty material of chernozems carried out during deflation with a capacity of up to 40-50 cm. Deflation of arable soils is caused by cultivation and use of pure steam in crop rotations (every third year). It leads to the transformation of the soil profile as a whole, changing the species composition of chernozems by one gradation from medium and carbonate (no-till) to low-power and high-carbon (traditional technology). The reduction or cessation of deflation of chernozems in the no-till technology is associated with its anti-deflation feature – the distribution of crop residues on the soil surface, the refusal to use pure steam, which together leads to the restoration of degraded properties of chernozems. Scientific innovation consists in testing a field morphometric method for estimating deflation in time and space, which can be used for monitoring soil cover (soil mapping, agrochemical surveys, etc.) or targeted research.