Humus and physicochemical properties of Forest-Steppe chernozems at minimization of treatments and biologization of the fertilizer system

Abstract

Goal. To determine the ways of restoration of the fertility of typical and podzolic chernozems at long-term use with minimal tillage and biologization of crop fertilizer systems in short crop rotations of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. Methods. Field, laboratory, comparative-calculation, and statistical. Soil samples according to the variants of stationary experiments were taken from depths of 0–15, 15–30, 30–45, and 45–60 cm. The content of total humus, hydrolytic acidity, and the amount of absorbed bases were determined in them. Results. The research was carried out in 2 long stationary experiments to study the impact of tillage and fertilizer systems on the content and reserves of humus and indicators of physicochemical properties of the soil. The use of straw and green manure on podzolic chernozem instead of manure helped to increase the content and stocks of humus. The combination of manure, straw, green manure, and half of the dose of mineral fertilizers with the use in the crop rotation of tillage with periodic plowing under sugar beets formed the highest reserves of humus in the 0–45 cm soil layer. For typical chernozem, the best results of humus state were fixed at shallow tillage and use of straw, green manure, and mineral fertilizers. Conclusions. Minimization of tillage and biologization of the fertilizer system in short- crop rotations of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe contributed to the increase of humus reserves, improvement of physicochemical properties of typical and podzolic chernozems, which led to the restoration of their fertility. The highest fertility of typical chernozem was restored by shallow tillage with different depths using a straw, greens, and mineral fertilizers. The highest fertility of the podzolic chernozem was restored by shallow tillage with periodic plowing and application of manure or straw and straw and green manure and complete mineral fertilizer.