Influence of the type of watershed on melt water runoff and soil losses on chernozem

Purpose: to establish the influence of the watershed form on the intensity of snowmelt water runoff and the bulk of eroded soil on the chernozems of Rostov region. Tasks: to analyze long-term (1970–2020) studies of surface runoff bulks, including various types (forms) of watersheds, from compacted and loose arable land; to establish patterns and to obtain the dependence of the bulk of washed soil on the runoff coefficient and the watershed form. Research methods are generally accepted; runoff sites were used on the slopes of Bolshoi Log in Aksai district Rostov region. The indicators of the erosion intensity which make it possible to judge the quantitative loss of soil volumes and bulk depending on the type of watershed, the volume of precipitation, the melt water runoff and other factors were studied. Results. It was found that the amount of soil washed off during melt water runoff varies within wide range, but in most cases does not exceed 3–10 t/ha. The erosion intensity most often coincides with the largest runoff layer, since in these cases it passes over the soil thawed from the surface. Soil washout is decreasing; in the period from 1970 to 1991, the average annual bulk of soil washed away from the fall plowed land was an average of 7.5 t/ha, and from winter wheat crops, 10.2 t/ha. In the next 20 years (1991–2009), soil losses from fall plows amounted to 4.6 t/ha, from winter crops – 6.8 t/ha, and in the last 10 years, respectively, 5.0 and 3.1 t/ha. Soil loss on the slope of the southern exposure was 0.65 from the northern one. In the rills of the northwestern exposure, the melt water runoff was 10–20 % higher than on the slopes between the rills; soil washout along the thalweg of rills reaches 40 % or more of the total bulk of washed out soil. Conclusions. These data, in combination with the conditions for the occurrence of the phenomena under consideration, are used for a scientifically grounded choice of a system of soil protection measures for an adaptive landscape farming system and their forecasting over time.

Efficiency of foliar fertilization in table grapes cultivation under irrigation

Purpose: to assess the impact of foliar nutrition with soluble fertilizers Plantafol and Boroplus on economic and biological indicators and the efficiency of cultivation of table grape varieties in dry conditions under irrigation. The relevance of research is due to the problem of ensuring food security at the national and regional levels. Materials and methods. The subject of research was the grape varieties Codryanka (early), Rizamat (medium) and Moskovsky (late). The studies were carried out in the period 2015–2017 in Astrakhan region. Irrigation was carried out depending on the phase of development at a rate of 500–2250 cubic meters per hectare. The timing of the fertilization treatment was tied to the development phases, and the rates were in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The methodological basis was M. A. Lazarevsky and B. A. Dospekhov methods. The calculation of economic efficiency was carried out on the basis of actual costs associated with technological operations, fertilization, irrigation, protective measures, collection of main and additional products. Results. The most cost-effective is the combined use of soluble foliar fertilizers Plantafol and Boroplus on grape plantations. The Rizamat variety was distinguished. Conclusions. The economic efficiency of the soluble foliar fertilizers application on grape plantations on average for 2015–2017 is the most significant in all three varieties Kodryanka, Rizamat and Moskovsky during combined application of fertilizers, especially in the Rizamat variety, when growing and receiving grape products of which the cost price decreased by 24.6 %, reaching a minimum value of 14947.4 rubles/t, profitability increased to 234.5 %, and the payback up to 3.35 rubles/rubles.

Flow-regulating capacity of forest belts in connection with their taxation characteristics

Purpose: to investigate the flow-regulating role of forest belts in connection with their taxation characteristics. Methods: artificial sprinkling of soils under the forest belts canopy. Results. Pseudoacacia robinia prevails in the forest belts in Rostov region (basin of the Kundryuchya river, ordinary chernozems). By the age of 35, this species can reach an average height of 12 m, an average diameter of 12 cm. Regression equations for the relationship of the runoff coefficients with the average height of Robinia pseudoacacia and its average diameter, wood reserves of forest belts and cross-sectional areas of trunks were obtained. These taxation characteristics determine the precipitation absorption intensity through the tree waste bulk and forest flor, root saturation, water-physical and chemical properties of the topsoil, which change with the age of plantings. When the age of 20 years is exceeded, the forest belts will completely absorb high intensity rainfall. At this age, the Robinia pseudoacacia will exceed the average height of 9.4 m, and its average trunk diameter will approach 10 cm. At the same time, the stock of raw wood in the forest belt will reach 57 m³/ha, and the cross-sectional area of the trunks – 11 m²/ha. The functional relationship between soil erosion and runoff coefficients confirms the close relationship between soil erosion and the main taxation characteristics of forest belts. The analysis of these relationships showed that storm erosion of soil under the forest canopy is completely absent when the taxation indicators reach the following values: the average Robinia height is 9 m, the average trunk diameter is 9.2 cm, the stock of wood is 46 m³/ha, the cross-sectional area of the trunks is 10.2 m²/ha. Conclusions. By the age of the forest belts 20 years, the runoff under the forest canopy will be completely regulated, and there will be no soil erosion. Forest belts older 20 years need to enhance their flow-regulating capacity by combining them along the lower edge with the simplest hydraulic structures.

Study of the reclamed effect of the “Biosolvent” preparation on alcaline soils when washing and irrigating

Purpose: to study the effect of the desalinator “Biosolvent” on the processes of soil desalinization during the washing and vegetative irrigation. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan at experimental sites. The objects of research are saline soils of irrigated fields under cotton. Field observations and soil analyzes were carried out according to generally accepted methods: granulometric composition – by sedimentation method, salinization – by electrical conductivity and water extract, phenological observations – by the SoyuzNIKHI method. Statistical processing was performed in Excel. Results: when spraying soil of strong and medium salinity with 10% Biosolvent preparation before washing and watering cotton, the leaching of ions toxic to plants is higher compared to conventional washing, more harmful ions are washed out: chlorine by 35–42 %, sulfates by 13–16 %, calcium by 21–28 %, sodium by 21–23 %. When treating the surface of furrows with a 10% solution before watering cotton, a more significant decrease in the content of harmful salts was also found than with conventional irrigation. Salts were washed out along the treated furrows by 18–23 % more, and chlorine, sulfate and calcium ions, respectively, by 17, 18 and 14 %. As a result of improved conditions in the root zone of cotton, an increase in yield of 7.5 c/ha was obtained. Conclusions. To increase the efficiency of washing saline soils and regulate the salinity of the root layer of soil during the growing season, it is advisable to apply preliminary spraying of the soil with a 10% solution of the “Biosolvent” preparation. The use of Biosolvent in comparison with traditional technologies contributes not only to a decrease in soil salinity, positive changes in chemical composition of salts in the soil, but also to an increase in cotton yield.

MODEL OF WATER CONSUMPTION RATIONING AND CALCULATING THE OPERATION REGIME OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS IRRIGATION

Purpose: development of a current model of water consumption rationing and calculation of the corresponding rates and terms for agricultural crops irrigation under various hydrometeorological parameters. Materials and methods: the basis for the developed model is a series of field experiments conducted in 2012–2014, as well as analytical studies, the scheme of the experiment, soil and hydrometeorological characteristics, water balance dynamics, precipitation and total moisture supply of the irrigated massif, water consumption according to the development stages of summer planting potatoes were determined. Results and discussion: the model under consideration includes taking into account the water-physical properties of soil, the lowest moisture capacity and moisture reserves, setting critical limit for the irrigation regime, temperature and air humidity deficit, the duration of the growing and inter-irrigation periods, on the basis of which the water consumption of the selected crop is calculated according to the growth phase. Further, the irrigation regime is calculated: the irrigation rate and the difference in moisture reserves, which comparison with the critical limit allows to conclude on irrigation necessity or its prediction for the near future (up to five days) after which irrigation will be needed. A complex for differentiating the irrigation regime with the determining deficits and standards for the parameters under consideration is provided. Conclusions: the model of water consumption rationing, performed on the use of two hydrometeorological factors, taken into account the growth and development phases of the crop under consideration, makes it possible to substantiate the actual calculation of the corresponding norms and terms of agricultural crops irrigation. The model is stable and can be used in land reclamation practice as a part of general technological complex for agricultural crops cultivation on irrigated lands.

THE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE IN CROP CULTIVATION

Purpose: to study the structure of sewage sludge, as well as to reveal the possibility of its use in agriculture in order to increase moisture reserves in the soil. Materials and methods. The object of research is sewage sludge from the Volzhsky wastewater treatment plant. The structure of the sewage sludge was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The field experiment was set up in accordance with generally accepted methods. Results and discussions. The investigated sewage sludge has a high fertilizing value with an increased content of nitrogen (3.30 %), ammonia nitrogen (0.19 %), phosphorus (4.27 %), potassium (0.31 %) and an optimal content of organic matter (32 %), which indicates the broad possibilities of its application in agriculture. Analysis of micrographs of sewage sludge showed that it is a nanostructured material, the presence of a porous structure which proves the presence of adsorption properties in the sludge and the ability to retain moisture when applied as a fertilizer was found. Data have been obtained confirming that sewage sludge contributes to an increase in the amount of moisture and its retention in soil by the example of the cultivation of dyeing safflower in the absence of irrigation. The maximum accumulation of moisture was observed with the introduction of sewage sludge at a dose of 10 t/ha, as well as with the use of deep tillage with the “Rancho” working body and amounted to a layer of 0–0.4 m when sowing dyeing safflower 88.5 mm, in the phase of full ripeness – 4.4 mm. Conclusion: it is advisable to use sewage sludge, which is a nanostructured material with a porous structure and adsorption properties to increase moisture reserves in soil.

Irrigation facilities for drip irrigation of soil in inter-rows of wood and fruit plants

Purpose: technical support for drip irrigation of the inter-row root-inhabited soil space in fruit garden plantations. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the irrigation network of perennial tree-fruit orchard plantations. During the research, analysis and variant comparison were carried out, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the structures under consideration. When improving the design of the drip irrigation facility, the methods of exploratory design were used. Results. During the research, the experience of operating the drip irrigation systems of perennial orchards was generalized and the basic requirements for the drip irrigation network in perennial orchards were formed. As an object for further research, partially satisfying these requirements, a constructive diagram of a drip irrigation facility for moistening the soil in the inter-row root-inhabited soil space of tree-fruit orchard plantations, given in RU Patent no. 2713136, was adopted. The disadvantage of this design of a drip irrigation facility is low reliability of the elastic coupling, which should be deformed when the position of the drip console changes, have the necessary rigidity to lift the drip console from the working position to the idle position, and be a sealed conduit connecting the drip console and the tee. As a result of the research, an improved design of the irrigation structure has been proposed, which does not include deformable elements. Conclusions. The proposed design scheme of a drip irrigation facility for perennial fruit plantations meets the requirements of manufacturability, has the ability to automatically operate in the irrigation mode and in the inter-irrigation period, and provides irrigation water supply to certain points of the location of the developed root system of perennial plants, including the inter-row root-inhabited soil space.

URGENT PROBLEMS OF WATER DISTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT IN MAIN CANALS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Purpose: to analyze the state of modern water distribution management systems in irrigation systems and review strategies for water distribution management in main canals of irrigation systems. Discussion. Rising water consumption and climate change are major sources of water scarcity worldwide. With the load increase on water transportation to irrigation fields, the issues of researching modern methods and means of improving the quality of water distribution management in irrigation canals become relevant. In the process of research, the conditions for water distribution management in the Don Main Canal Rostov region were considered and an analysis of the main currently used water distribution management strategies and the possibility of their implementation in various conditions was made, with an emphasis on currently unsolved problems. As a result of the research, the need to activate the process of transition to the strategy of automated control of water distribution in irrigation systems using mathematical models and modern means, including adaptive control using fractional controllers, has been substantiated. Conclusions. In the field of water distribution management in the main canals of irrigation systems, a number of problems of both theoretical and practical nature still remain, for the solution of which a systematic approach using both traditional methods based on solving differential equations, control theory, and neural networks and cloud calculations is required.

INVESTMENT FACILITY OF MATERIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Purpose: study of the features, state and problems of the material and technical support of agricultural production, substantiation of methods and facilities for investing in the development of material and technical base (MTB) of agricultural enterprises. Materials and methods. The use of statistical and comparative analysis methods in the process of processing and interpreting the data of the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia made it possible to identify the features and trends in the reproduction of MTB of agricultural producers and to determine the directions of investment processes development in agriculture. Results. The comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of the material and technical condition of agricultural enterprises is provided. The tendencies and contradictions in financing the investment needs of MTB reproduction, expressed in an increase in the cost indicators of fixed assets of agricultural enterprises with a decreasing quantitative indicators of agricultural machinery, are indicated. The financial conditions and sources of financing investments in fixed assets which made it possible to identify the dependence of investments on external sources with insignificant state financial support for agriculture have been analyzed. Conclusions. There are internal reserves for the formation of investment funds in agriculture. However, the high risks associated with the essence of agricultural production determine the fact that the investment mechanism development in the agricultural sector largely depends on the forms of state financial support for the industry. Tax incentives, depreciation policy of enterprises, the development of concessional lending and leasing, public-private partnerships in the agricultural sector are designated as tools to stimulate the investment process.

ASSESSMENT OF THE HUMAN POTENTIAL OF RURAL AREAS

Purpose: clarification of the concept “human potential of rural areas”, development of the methodology for assessing the human potential of rural areas based on the study of constraining development factors. Materials and methods: a monographic method to highlight the development potentials and clarify the concept of “human potential”, an economic and statistical method to calculate the consolidated human potential index, as well as analysis and synthesis methods have been used. Results: the dynamic transformation of the market economy requires not only the availability of modern technologies, but also the provision of development with qualified personnel. Human potential accumulates the capabilities of managerial and labor decisions in accordance with the existing external conditions. Rural areas have a certain labor “reserve” that can be determined through human potential. An analysis of the potential of the territory and the institutional environment determines the development opportunities, and the assessment makes it possible to determine the need to attract or constraint labor resources. The development of human potential takes place under the influence of the external environment, and the formation of favorable conditions is an important task of regional development. There are many concepts for assessing human potential, but a holistic concept of criteria has not been formed. The index assessment of the factors restraining development makes it possible to determine the potential of the territory. The following were selected as the main estimated indicators reflecting the main constraining factors: employment of population, wages of population, coverage of children with preschool education, available social space per person, the share of the working-age population, life expectancy, the share of private enterprises in the total number of operating enterprises. Comparison of indicators of rural areas is carried out with data on the city, which makes it possible to identify the optimal criteria for human potential. Conclusions: the proposed methodology for assessing human potential based on indices makes it possible to monitor and quickly respond to the needs of a changing external environment. Based on the methodology for assessing the composite human potential index, problems and constraints on development were identified. The rural area lags behind in almost all indicators from the urban one, which requires solving the problems of creating a favorable environment for the life and work of the able-bodied rural population.