G.G. Mahov — an outstanding Ukrainian scientist in the field of agricultural science, the organizer of agricultural research (1886–1952)

Abstract

Goal. To reveal the milestones of life and creative path, generalize the main scientific achievements of the talented scientist in the field of agricultural science, one of the founders of reclaimed soil science, the organizer of the domestic branch research, and the highest professional education in Ukraine G.G. Mahov. Methods. General scientific — analysis, synthesis, classification; historical — problematic, comparative historical, retrospective, biographical. Results. The contribution is highlighted of the scientist in the formation of leading scientific research institutions on soil science and agricultural melioration, soil science, as a mandatory discipline based on institutions of higher agricultural education in Ukraine and the world. The creative searches of G.G. Makhov are revealed, the author of the first in the state textbook “Soil Science” and training manual “Soils of Ukraine”, to popularize branch achievements as a member of the editorial board of the journal “Soil Science”, the organizer of the First Congress of Soil Science of Ukraine, Director of the Agricultural Museum. Conclusions. The scientific heritage of the scientist is systematized in the following directions: agronomic and meliorative soil science, soil degeneration problems, forest plantation in the steppes, struggle against drought, soil erosion, fertilizer and soil cultivation systems, their influence on the agrophysical properties of the soil. As the priority development G.G. Mahov considered the first detailed map of Ukraine’s soils on a new morphologic-genetic basis, as well as the first map of soil erosion.