AGRO ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF DARK GREY SOIL IN IMERETI REGION

Georgia, in particular, the dark grey soils of the middle belt of the Imereti mountain-forest zone are widespread. This soil is of bioclimatic type which analogues are found in many regions of the world forest zone and are formed in geographical and landscape conditions similar to Georgia. According to the vertical zoning, forest dark grey soils are spread from 600-900 meters above sea level to 2000-2100 meters. In Imereti, in the lower zone of the distribution of these soils, they border the yellow and red soils, and in the upper zone, the subalpine soils of the mountain-meadow.They, like the relief of the territory of all mountainous countries, the relief strip of forest dark grey soils in Imereti is very difficult in relief. It is fragmented, which in turn is related to the geological structure, lithological composition of rocks, tectonic processes, erosion-denudation occurrences and more.The thickness of the soil changes with the inclination of the slope, gravel, properties, the greater the slope, the less soil moisture, the slower the soil is washed away, and the dryness of the soil is known to be unfavorable for the plant. Under these conditions, a very small amount of humus-accumulation horizon is formed, which is unsatisfactory in terms of soil protection importance and fertility. At the same time it is noteworthy that the soils of the southern exposure are hotter than those of the north.Dark grey soils are developed on the Tertiary and post-Tertiary sandstones, clays and their overcrop products in the southern Imereti region, which includes the northern slopes of the Meskheti Range, within the Zestafoni, Bagdati, Samtredia, Vani districts. Soil-forming rocks are Lower and Middle Eocene sandstones, marls, clay-shales, erupted (andesites, tuffs) rocks.These soils are developed under broadleaf (hornbeam, chestnut, oak) and deciduous-coniferous forest cover.Sandy soils are spread in Khoni, Baghdati, Vani, Tkibuli, Chiatura, Kharagauli, Imereti region.

Influence of phytomelioration on the processes of humus accumulation and microflora of agrogenic soils of Primorye

The monograph is devoted to the study of the influence of various phytomeliorants on the microflora, physicochemical and agrochemical properties of soils. Changes in carbon pools and СО2 emissions from soils, which are most widely used in agriculture of the region, have been studied. The data on the effect of various phytomeliorants on the humus state of soils, their biological activity and optical-energy indicators are presented. Taking into account the change in the integral indicator of the biological state of soils, the most effective phytomeliorants that have a positive effect on soil fertility have been identified. Methods for indicating changes in humus content and catalase activity under the influence of phytomeliorants and various systems of agrotechnical soil cultivation are proposed. The book is intended for soil scientists, ecologists, agrochemists, specialists dealing with agricultural issues, as well as students of relevant specialties.

MICROELEMENT COMPOSITION OF SOD-CARBONATE SOILS OF THE NORTH-WEST CAUCASUS

The aim of the work is to study the peculiarities of the formation of the microelement composition of sod-carbonate soils of the North-West Caucasus. Methods: Determination of the features of the formation of the microelement composition of sod-carbonate soils was carried out in the western part of the Labino-Malkinsky landscape district of forest-steppes and settled meadows. The Kuestov District occupies a band of ridges of the North-western Caucasus, composed of limestones, dolomites and sandstones of the Jurassic (K) and Cretaceous (k) periods. Chemical analysis of the soil was performed by conventional methods. The content of strongly bound compounds Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd by acid decomposition using 5 M HNO3 was analyzed in the humus horizon of soils. The metal content was determined by the methods of inversion volt-amperometric and atomic absorption analyses. Results: In most cases, the microelement composition of sod-carbonate soils is characterized by the enrichment of Pb, Cu, Cd and depletion of Zn in comparison with the Clark soils. The constant anthropogenic input of pollutants into the soil as a depositing medium directly affects the trace element composition-the soils are intensively enriched with all the elements considered, especially strongly accumulated on CD and PB. In the radial distribution of trace elements between sod-carbonate soils and the soil-forming rock, a high intensity of accumulation of chemical elements in the humus horizon of soils was revealed. The intensity of the redistribution of trace elements in soils is largely determined by the position in the terrain. Within the Cretaceous cuesta, high Cd contents are typical for plakor soils, Cu and Zn-for the soils of the slope of the beam. On the slope of the Jurassic questi higher contents of Pb, Cd and Cu are typical for soils of placorestan cavage array Zn for soils of steep hillside with oak and beech forests. Conclusions: The microelement composition of sod-carbonate soils is a consequence of such soil-forming processes as humification, humus accumulation, leaching, glinting, and loess age, the specifics of which are largely determined by calcium carbonates. The microelement composition of sod-carbonate soils reflects the most significant features of the microelement composition of soil-forming rocks, which are characterized by low Zn content. The possible aerotechnogenic intake of trace elements affects the intensity of the radial accumulation of trace elements in the soil relative to the rocks. The degree of transformation of the microelement composition of anthropogenic disturbed soils depends on the intensity of anthropogenic impact on the soil. The conducted research is important in the aspect of revealing the regularities of the formation of the microelement composition of the soil as a depositing component of the landscape in modern conditions of anthropogenic pressure.

Potential resources of organic raw materials in Ukraine and the approaches to their management for increasing soil organic carbon stocks

Ie. Skrylnyk, V. Hetmanenko, А. Kutova, V. Moskalenko. Potential resources of organic raw materials in Ukraine and the approaches to their management for increasing soil organic carbon stocks The available resources of organic raw materials for replenishment of organic carbon in soils in various soil and climatic zones of Ukraine have been analyzed. The approximate supply of organic fertilizers to the regions of Ukraine has been calculated, based on various scenarios. The characteristics of potential resources of organic raw materials of natural origin and organic waste from the standpoint of humus formation are given. Approaches to the management of organic materials are proposed to improve the efficiency of humus accumulation in soils. Keywords: organic raw materials, humus, zonal sufficiency, approaches to resource management.

Effect of Soil and Fertilizer Treatment Systems on Agrochemical Properties of Fertility and Spring Wheat Yields

Многолетний стационарный полевой опыт проводился на дерново-подзолистой среднесуглинистой почве в Ярославской области. В статье представлены результаты исследований по изучению действия разных по интенсивности систем обработки почвы и удобрений на изменение агрохимических показателей плодородия почвы и урожайности яровой пшеницы. Отмечена динамика накопления гумуса в пахотном слое почвы при системе поверхностно-отвальной обработки на 0,17%, совместном внесении соломы и полного минерального удобрения – на 0,15%. Выявлен рост рН при системе ежегодной отвальной обработки, системах без удобрений и одной соломы. Динамике повышения содержания фосфора на 57,00 мг/кг способствовало совместное применение соломы с полным минеральным удобрением. Увеличению содержания обменного калия содействовали: система энергосберегающей поверхностно-отвальной обработки (на 0,92 мг/кг) и система «солома + NРК» (на 44,09 мг/кг). Отмечено увеличение урожайности зерна яровой пшеницы (на 2,04 ц/га) при применении системы энергосберегающей поверхностно-отвальной обработки почвы. Совместное использование соломы с полным минеральным удобрением достоверно повысило урожайность на 8,18 ц/га. Для дерново-подзолистой среднесуглинистой почвы с временным избыточным увлажнением рекомендуется применение системы энергосберегающей поверхностно-отвальной обработки почвы и совместное внесение соломы с полным минеральным удобрением. Long-term stationary field experiment was carried out on soddy podzolic middle loamy soil in the Yaroslavl region. The article presents the results of research on the effect of soil and fertilizer treatment systems different in intensity on changing agrochemical indicators of soil fertility and spring wheat yield. Dynamics of humus accumulation in arable layer of soil at system of surface and moldboard tillage by 0.17%, combined application of straw and complete minerals - by 0.15% was noted. An increase in pH was revealed with an annual moldboard tillage system, systems without fertilizers and straw. The dynamics of the increase in phosphorus content by 57.00 mg/kg were facilitated by the joint use of straw with complete minerals. The increase in the content of exchangeable potassium was facilitated by: an energy-saving surface and moldboard tillage (by 0.92 mg/kg) and a "straw + NPK" system (by 44.09 mg/kg). There was an increase in the yield of spring wheat grains (by 2.04 c/ha) when using an energy-saving surface and moldboard tillage system. The combined use of straw with complete minerals significantly increased yield by 8.18 c/ha. For soddy podzolic middle loamy soil with temporary excessive moistening it is recommended to use a system of energy-saving surface and moldboard tillage and joint application of straw with complete minerals.

The Contents and Distributions of Natural Radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 40K in Permafrost Soils of Central Yakutia

The present study addresses the contents and distributions of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in six main types (subtypes) of soils that have developed in friable alluvial sandy deposits within various layers of the topography of the Central Yakutian Plain. The minimum concentrations of these radionuclides are registered in forest soils of the eluvial type that have developed on weathered sandy deposits of the high level, whereas the maximum concentrations are detected in forest pale-yellow and meadow-steppe soils that have developed on loess-like carbonate loams of the middle level and in polymictic sands of the lower level of the plain, respectively. In addition to the structure of soil forming rocks, the soil formation processes in these soils, such as humus accumulation, podsolization, bleaching, and intra-soil clay deposition have a significant effect on the contents and distributions of 238U, 232Th, and 40K. In the soils examined in this study, 40K distribution followed the eluvial and uniform patterns, whereas the intra-profile distribution of 238U and 232Th was more variable, following the accumulative, eluvial, accumulative eluvial, accumulative eluvial-illuvial, and accumulative illuvial patterns. We have revealed statistically significant correlations between 238U and 232Th contents and soil contents of humus, clay, and silt

Micromorphological features of soils of semidesertic solonetzic complexes under different herbaceous communities with the participation of fodder plant Kochia prostrata (Caspian lowland)

The aim of the study was to research the relationship of chemical and micromorphological properties of soils with the growth of Kochia prostrata. The objects of study were the soils on natural pastures of the North-Western part of the Caspian lowland. It was laid 4 soil pits (soils – light solonetz, solonetzic chestnut) with the maximum penetration depth of the main mass of roots of the studied plants. K. prostratais a very plastic forage species that can grow on soils with a wide range of morphological properties, different salt content and their chemical composition. It is revealed that on the background of almost the same content of humus and high content of exchangeable magnesium micromorphological features represent the different degree of manifestation of primary pedogenic processes – humus accumulation, leaching of soluble salts, gypsum accumulation, carbonate enrichment, solonetzization. Despite the different content of exchangeable sodium, in all soils there are fresh clay or humus-clay illuvial coatings, indicating the manifestation of the modern eluvial-illuvial redistribution of fine matter (lessivage or illimerization).

Smykiv – the new key section of the upper pleistocene of the Volyn Upland

Formulation the problem. The new section at Smykiv in the Volyn Upland has an informative stratigraphic record, showing details of climatic phases in the Late Pleistocene. The site is located in the Rivne Oblast, 40 km south of Lutsk, on slope of the River Dezha (the tributary of the River Styr). Review of previous publications and studies. The loess-palaeosol sequence of the Volyn’ Upland has been intensively studied by Ukrainian, Russian and Polish researchers such as A. Bogucki, M. Lanczont, P. Voloshyn, A. Tsatskin, V. Nechaev, T. Morozova, L. Bezusko, J. Kusiak, S. Fedorowicz, J. Nawrocki, R. Dmytruk and many others. Methods. The section has been studied using lithostratigraphic, palaeopedological, palaeocryological, grain size, micromorphological and partial chemical methods, which enable the reconstruction of past climate and environment. The stratigraphy is applied follows the Quaternary Framework of Ukraine (Veklitch et al., 1993). All the stratigraphical units of the Upper Pleistocene are represented in the section; and, herein, these divided into smaller parts characterized by distinct environmental histories. The purpose of the article is to study the detailed stratified sequence at Smykiv by various methods in order to clarify the regional Quaternary palaeogeographical scheme. Results. The periglacial alluvium of the Dnipro unit, at the base of the sequence, and the analysis of the position of the site in the relief indicate the interpretation that it is located on the Dezha river’s terrace. The alluvium bed is distorted by syngenetic involutions. The overlying Kaydaky unit truncates the alluvium, and is inclined parallel to the present valley slope. Three pedogenetic phases during the Kaydaky times are identifiable: pedosediments formed in the first phase (kda), pedosediments of forest soil formed in the early optimum (kdb1) and a Retisol formed in the late optimum (kdb2). During the Tyasmyn cold event, a network of small soil veins formed. Renewed, but less intense than in the Kaydaky unit, erosion processes started in Pryluky times. It can be demonstrated that the Pryluky polygenetic soil was formed in three phases, divided by a cold event in mid Pryluky times (pl2). A Chernozem with signs of slight podzolisation and biogenic aggregation was formed during the first phase (pl1b2). The soil is disturbed by cryogenic features formed during pl2. An incipient Cambisol was enriched with a fine organic matter during the phase pl3b1. An incipient Calcic Cambisol (pl3b2), aggregated and slightly gleyed, formed at the end of the Pryluky time. Erosion processes were not strongly developed during Pleniglacial. At the beginning of the stadials (in Uday and Bug times), solifluction processes occurred. At the beginning of these stadials, other cryogenic features, such as soil veins, frost fissures and ice-wedges, were also formed. Upper Pleistocene loess beds show slight pedogenesis, particularly very weak humus accumulation and biogenic aggregation. Furthermore, all Pleniglacial units are enriched in carbonates in diverse forms: however, the most common is disperse powdery lime. These last are frequently interpreted as being the result of calcite crystallization under cryogenic processes. During Vytachiv and Dofinivka interstadial times, boreal soils were formed – Gleyic Cambisol and Calcic Gleyic Cambisol, respectively. The first is mostly represented by pedosediments (indicating intense erosion), whereas the second soil is preserved in situ and it is enriched in fine organic matter and is well-microaggregated. The last loess unit of the Upper Pleistocene, the Prychornomorsk loess unit, is subdivided into two loess subunits (pc1 and pc3) which are connected with cryogenic events, and a Gleysol (pc2), indicating a relatively warm period.

THE STOCKS OF ORGANIC CARBON IN THE BLOCK "LITTER – SOIL" OF POLISSIA REGIONPINE ECOSYSTEMS

The results of studies of the content and stocks of organic carbon in the block "litter – soil" of pine ecosystems in Zhytomyr and Chernihiv Polissia are presented. The forest ecosystems are important stabilizers of the carbon cycle as well as stocks of carbon. The components of the forest ecosystem are interconnected by the flows of energy and substances. Binding ÑÎ2 in the block of "plant-soil", followed by the transformation of carbon into insoluble humus compounds is of particular importance. In the research area sod - light-podzolic and sod-medium-podzolic soils on fluvioglacial sands are mostly spread. These soils belong to the category of old arable ones. Present here are also peat – marsh soils. It is shown that the process of humus accumulation is characterized by low intensity, which is caused by a complex of reasons, in particular, the sandy composition of sod-podzolic soils (particle content < 0,01 mm – 7,5 %).The thickness of the profile humus portion is 18 cm. The average content of humus is 0,97 %, and reserves – 28,3 t/ha in a 20-cm layer. Similar indicators of carbon are 0,56 % and 16,4 t/ha, respectively. Organic substance of sod-podzolic soils of pine habitats is resistant to mineralization and for a long time is removed from the cycle of substances of the pine ecosystem. The average carbon content in hydromorphic organogenic soils increases to 18,1 % and its stocks are 168,9 t/ha. The ability for mineralization peat soils is lower than that of sod-podzolic soils. So, they have a high carbon sequestration capacity. Pine litter reserves on the average are 30–33 t/ha, and carbon reserves on the average are – 12,6 t/ha, with its stable content – 40 %.The total carbon reserves in the block "litter – soil" of a typical pine ecosystem of Polissia are on average 29 t/ha, with the bulk of them being concentrated in the soil. Considering that highly productive pine forests are formed on the infertile soils of Polissia, their afforestation will not only stop the intensive degradation of soils of Ukraine, but also will increase the deposition of greenhouse gases, which will help to prevent further climate change at the regional level.

Green alder effects on the forest soils in higher elevations

Presented study documents the effects of green alder (Alnus alnobetula [Ehrh.] C. Koch) on the uppermost forest soil layers in mountain areas, respectively in the top part of the Orlické hory Mts. Three variants effect to the forest soil have been studied: pure groups of green alder, pure groups of Norway spruce and Norway spruce stand under-planted by green alder. The effect of alder stands litter influenced some basic soil characteristics: the surface humus accumulation (low), the bases content and base saturation (decreased). The green alder increased the acidification trends in the forest soils of the humus forms on the studied locality and intensified the mineralization and nutrient losses from the soil profile.