Intra-Soil Milling for Stable Evolution and High Productivity of Kastanozem Soil

The long-term field experiment on the Kastanozem showed that the standard moldboard plowing to a depth of 22 cm (control), chiseling to a depth of 35 cm, and three-tier plowing (machine type PTN–40) to a depth of 45 cm was incapable of providing a stable soil structure and aggregate system. The transcendental Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) methodology for intra-soil milling of the 20–45 cm layer and the intra-soil milling PMS–70 machine were developed. The PMS–70 soil processing provided the content of 1–3 mm sized aggregate particle fraction in the illuvial horizon of about 50 to 60%, which was 3-fold higher compared to standard plowing systems. Soil bulk density reduced in the layer 20–40 cm to 1.35 t m−3 compared to 1.51 t m−3 in the control option. In the control, the rhizosphere developed only in the soil upper layer. There were 1.3 roots per cm−2 in 0–20 cm, and 0.2 roots per cm−2 in 20–40 cm. The rhizosphere spreads only through the soil crevices after chilling. After three-tier plowing (PTN–40), the rhizosphere developed better in the local comfort zones of the soil profile between soil blocks impermeable for roots. After intra-soil milling PMS–70, the rhizosphere developed uniformly in the whole soil profile: 2.2 roots per cm−2 in 0–20 cm; 1.7 roots per cm−2 in 20–40 cm. Matric water potential was higher, soil salinization was lower, and the pH was close to neutral. Soil organic matter (SOM) content increased to 3.3% in 0–20 cm and 2.1% in 20–40 cm compared to the control (2.0% in the 0–20 cm soil layer and 1.3% in the 20–40 cm layer). The spring barley yield was 53% higher compared to the control. The technology life cycle profitability was moldboard 21.5%, chiseling 6.9%, three-tier 15.6%, and intra-soil milling 45.6%. The new design of the intra-soil milling machine provides five times less traction resistance and 80% increased reliability, halving energy costs.

FEATURES OF ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN LANDSCAPES SURA-SVIAZHSKY WATERSHED PRIVOLZHSKY HILLS

The data of the study of the concentrations of some metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) on the territory of the Sura-Sviyazhsky interfluve of the Volga Upland are presented. In the study area, the processes of accumulation of iron and copper are taking place. The maximum concentrations were registered in the illuvial horizon of the Prisursky GPP - 884 mg / kg. Iron is a typomorphic element for the studied area. In addition to accumulation processes, iron comes from parent rocks. Copper concentrations are also significant - up to 2.39 mg / kg, registered near the city of Alatyr.

Intra-soil milling for long-term efficient land use prospects

<p>Current land-use policy needs for innovative soil processing technologies. We carried out a long-term field experiment on the Kastanozem in following options: moldboard plowing to a depth of 22 cm; chiselling to a depth of 35 cm; three-tier PTN–40 plowing to a depth of 40–45 cm; PMS–70 intra-soil milling of the 20–45 cm layer. Moldboard, chisel and three-tier plowing does not improve soil aggregate system. 20–45 cm soil layer milling by PMS–70 provides the formation of the 1–3 mm aggregates. 30–40 years after PMS–70 processing, the soil profile structure remained fine aggregate. Soil organic matter and dissolved organic matter content, as well as the soil productivity, were higher after PMS–70. New intra-soil milling machine PMS–260 was developed. The moldboard plowing did not change the natural soil profile vertical morphological differentiation. The soil loosening effect was short-term after soil chiselling. After the three-tier PTN-40 plowing, a large part of humus horizon material strews down the soil profile between the chaotically spread large structural blocks of illuvial and transitional horizons. After PMS–70 processing, the content of 1–3 mm size aggregate particle fraction in the illuvial horizon was triple compared to the three-tier PTN–40 plowing. The soil desalination was intensive after PMS–70. The absorbed Na<sup>+</sup> content in solonetz was about 18–20% of soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) in the moldboard option. The same was after the chiselling. The CEC Na<sup>+</sup> content was of 14–16% after the PTN–40. The CEC Na<sup>+</sup> content was of 10–12% after the PMS–70. The SOM content in the 0­–20 cm soil layer was 2.0%, in the 20-40 cm layer of 1.3%; the DOM content was 0.03% and 0.02% respectively in moldboard plowing option. The SOM and DOM content increased slightly in a period 3–4 years after chiselling. The SOM content was 2.2% in the 0­–20 cm, and 1.4% in the 20–40 cm; the DOM content was 0.04% and 0.03% respectively after the PTN–40. The SOM content increased to 3.3% in the 0–20 cm soil layer, and to 2.1% in the 20–40 cm layer; the DOM content increase was 0.05% and 0.04% respectively after the PMS–70. In the moldboard option, the rhizosphere developed only in the upper soil layer of 0–20 cm. The rhizosphere spreads through the soil crevices after chilling. The conditions of rhizosphere development were better in the local comfort zones of the soil profile after three-tier PTN–40 plowing. The rhizosphere developed well and uniformly both in the upper 0–20 cm and in the 20-45 cm layer after intra-soil milling by PMS–70. Improved plant growing conditions provide higher plant resistivity to pathogens.  The technology life cycle profitability: moldboard 21.5%, chiseling 6.9%, three-tier 15.6%, intra-soil milling 45.6%. The new design of intra-soil milling machine provides five times less traction resistance; 80% increased reliability, halving energy costs. Intra-soil milling provides long-term land-use prospects.</p><p>The research was supported by the RFBR, project no. 18-29-25071, and by the President of the Russian Federation, no. MK-2244.2020.5.</p>

FEATURES OF MOISTURE SUPPLY OF GRASSY COVER IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE ARBORETUM

From the analysis of the actual data, it follows that at the beginning of June 2014, there was a significant moistening of the humus horizon of Chernozem under the grass cover. But at the end of the month, the amount of available moisture decreased sharply and continued to decrease during July and August. This led to a shortage of water reserves, which could only be compensated by irrigation. 2016 was generally wetter, although the moisture content in the upper humus horizon was low when it emerged from winter in may. The drop in humidity in Chernozem continued until mid-June, when the ELVs decreased to unsatisfactory values. Since the end of June, regular precipitation has dramatically increased the available moisture reserves, remaining very good until the end of the growing season. As a result, a significant deficit of productive moisture was observed only in late may and early June. In June 2017, the productive moisture reserves in the humus-accumulative horizon were satisfactory. But in the illuvial horizon, the moisture reserves were estimated to be good, which did not require irrigation.

EVALUATION OF THE GROWING CONDITIONS OF SEA-BUCKTHORN PLANTATIONS UNDER INUNDATIVE IRRIGATION

Sea-buckthorn grows well on slope lands that are high-ly drained and lack stagnant water. The optimum soil mois-ture content for sea-buckthorn corresponds to 70% of the lowest moisture capacity. Under continuous soil moisture deficit, the leaf surface area decreased, the fruits were poorly set as a result of ovary drop during the first half of the growing season, and berry size decreased. In this re-gard, the study of the water regime of the soil under sea-buckthorn plantations the possibility of its regulation re-mained quite topical. The available moisture in the humus horizons of chernozem in May 2004 corresponded to a satisfactory level. At the end of summer, the moisture con-tent of the chernozem decreased to unsatisfactory state. As a result, the plants experienced water deprivation throughout the growing season. Naturally, the need arose for irrigation, especially in June and August with irrigation rates of 490 and 280 t per m3, respectively. In the underly-ing horizons, the soil moisture deficit was weaker. In the humus horizons, the available moisture in the chernozem in the middle of the slope did not differ much from the mois-ture content at its top. At the same time, in the transitional BC layer in the second half of summer, the available mois-ture content was significantly higher. This difference was also found in the parent rock. In the lower part of theslope, the one-meter soil layer contained a greater amount of moisture which contributed to the decrease of its deficit during the entire growing season. This was especially no-ticeable in the illuvial horizon and parent rock. In the sec-ond half of summer,the available moisture content here remained higher than in the upper slope sites. In conclu-sion, it should be noted that only humus-accumulative hori-zons A (arable) + AB needed irrigation with different irriga-tion rates depending on the location of the sea-buckthorn plantations on the slope and their growth features.

SOILMOISTUREREGIMEAND ITS REGULATION WHEN MAINTAINING THE GRASS COVER OF GLADES AND LAWNS IN THE ARBORETUM

Glades and lawns beautify any forest-park area, and therefore, when developing them, it is necessary to take into account the size and configuration, relief, path net-work, placement of shrubs and tree species as well as the quality of the grass cover. In small recreation areas or in arboretums, it is advisable to create lawns, not glades. It should be emphasized that there is practically no infor-mation on the processes of the formation of moisture con-tent regimes in soil profiles under glades or lawns in an arboretum. Therefore, the study of moisture accumulation and movement in the genetic horizons of chernozem is a topical issue. It follows from the analysis of the actual data that in early June 2014there was a significant moistening of the humus horizon of the chernozem under the grass cover. But at the end of the month, the amount of available moisture dropped sharply and continued to decrease in July and August. This caused soil moisture deficit that could only be met by irrigation. The year of 2016 was gen-erally wetter although in May the moisture content in the upper humus horizon was low. The drop of moisture con-tent in chernozem continued until mid-June when available moisture decreased to unsatisfactory values. From the end of June, regular rainfall has dramatically increased the available moisture that remained very good until the end of the growing season. As a result, a significant deficit of available moisture was observed only in late May and early June. In June 2017, the available moisture in the humus-accumulative horizon was satisfactory. But in the illuvial horizon, the moisture reserves were evaluated as good and irrigation was not required. Thus, for the research period only in 2014 it was required to irrigate the chernozem soil profile in the glade under grass cover.

The impact of pine self-afforestation on podzolization process in semi-natural grassland areas of Volyn Polissya (Ukraine)

Background. Several theories have been proposed to explain the podzolization process. Currently, the role of organic matter in both weathering and immobilization in the illuvial horizon is clearly stated. The origin of soil organic matter and, accordingly, the various mechanisms of its influence on the soil material, create the basis of these theories. We assume that in the base-poor sandy soils under rich herbaceous vegetation with a well developed sod layer, the process of podzolization may also depend on CO2 soil formation agent . Materials and Methods. Four localities along a Pinus sylvestris L. self-afforestation chronosequence with pine stands of 10, 20, 40 yrs and an adjacent semi-natural grassland area were investigated in order to determine the patterns of podzolization process on sandy glacial till deposits. Soil pH, exchangeable base, soil cation exchange capacity, total content of soil organic carbon, amorphous Fe, Si and Al and total contents of Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Co, Ni, Na, K were determined. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using LibreOffice for Linux. Results. During the pine succession, a previously well differentiated into horizons podzolic soil under the grassland vegetation community gradually degrades. Previously well-defined albic and spodic diagnostic horizons disappear, the soil profile becomes more acidic, the soil organic carbon, the base cation content and the base cation saturation decrease, the leaching rate of aluminium and iron increases. Secondary podzolization features in the soil profiles were detected 40 years after the onset of afforestation. The podzolization has not been intensive enough to develop fully fledged albic and spodic diagnostic horizons over such a short period. Conclusions. Based on the obtained soil morphological, physical and chemical properties, three most important agents of podzolization are proposed as principal for the studied area. The main gent under pine forest is fulvic acids that are produced during coniferous litter decomposition. Low molecular weight organic acids and carbon dioxide produced to the rhizosphere by roots and a root associated microbiota are mainly involved in the podzolization process under the grassland ecosystem.

WATER REGIME OF CHERNOZEM LEACHED UNDER SEA BUCKTHORN ON DEEPFILLING ESTUARIES

In the humus horizons, the productive moisture reserves in the chernozem in the middle of the slope did not differ much from the moisture reserves at its top. At the same time, in the transition layer of the SUN in the second half of summer, they were significantly higher. This difference also occurred in the soilforming rock. In the lower part of the slope, the meter-long layer of the soil layer contained a greater amount of moisture, which helped to reduce its deficit during the entire growing season. This was especially noticeable in the illuvial horizon and the soil-forming rock. In the second half of the growing season, the ELVs here remained higher than on the upper elements of the slope. In conclusion, it should be noted that only humus-accumulative horizons of Ap+AB needed irrigation with different irrigation norms, depending on the location of sea buckthorn plantations on the slope and the characteristics of their vegetation.

Diagnosis of eluvial-illuvial profile differentiation processes in Pre-Carpathian soils

Elementary soil processes, as components of the soil-forming process, play an important role in the formation of morphological and genetic features of soils and are used for their genetic diagnosis. Eluvial-illuvial differentiation of the background profile for Precarpathian soils is due to the passage of processes from the group of eluvial, in particular podzolization, silting and gley-eluvial. The diagnostic criteria for these processes remain controversial and need further development. The article provides some justifications for their objectivity and reliability in identifying individual processes of soil formation and the results of establishing the genetic consequences of their passage. The formation of clay cutanes in the illuvion is considered to be an important sign of lessivage, but the presence of one and a half oxides may also indicate the passage of the processes of podzolization and in-soil clay forming According to another criterion - the presence of "optically oriented clays" in the illuvion is difficult to establish their migration path and the intensity of the lessivage process. Increasing the value of the ratio of silt content to the content of physical clay in the illuvial horizons compared to the eluvial horizons does not allow to distinguish the processes of podzolization and lessivage, and the same ratio in the illuvial horizon compared to the parent rock - lessivage and clay forming. Changes within the profile of the mineral part of the soil, which are reflected by the molecular ratios of SiO2:Al2O3 and eluvial-accumulative coefficients of aluminum, the values of silt and aluminum losses, also the profile distribution of montmorillonite are important criteria for the separation of loess and podzolization and indicate the decisive role of the latter in the formation of the profile differentiation of the soils of Precarpathians. Important criteria for gley-eluvial processes are higher losses from the upper podzolic illuminated of Fe2O3 layer than Al2O3, an increase in the molecular ratio of Al2O3:Fe2O3, the ratio of losses of Fe2O3 and Al2O3, also increase the criterion SiO2:Fe2O3/SiO2. Complementing the national system of parameters for the diagnosis and classification of soils with criteria that are characteristic of the substantive-genetic approach according to the WRB requires further study.