Soils are one of the most valuable natural resources that Russia possesses. These are resources for both agriculture and forestry. Fertility and productivity are the most important factors economic development and economic use of a large number different regions Russia. These qualities enable the development of agricultural industries and various enterprises engaged in the production of various food products and various raw materials.
The disproportionate size of the territories that the country possesses, their vastness and length, various climatic conditions, differences in the water regime and temperature features, different geological structure and the diversity of the relief, the presence of completely dissimilar plant communities determined the formation of such various types soils in Russia.
Russia, with sufficiently large territories, still has not such a significant amount of land suitable for economic activity as it might seem. About 10% of the country's territory falls on the tundra, which is basically unproductive, 13% of the area is occupied by swamps or waterlogged. Only 13% of Russia's land is agricultural land, these are gardens and arable land, pastures and hayfields. Arable lands in the camp occupy only 7.7% of the entire territory. Chernozems account for 52% of arable land, which provide 80% of all agricultural products.
Gray and brown forest soils are also a significant part of agricultural production. They are the most fertile soils of the Russian forest zone.
gray forest soils
Gray forest soils are a type of soil that is common in areas of the temperate climate zone. They are formed mainly under broad-leaved forests with a herbaceous cover community and forest-steppes, in the presence of a sufficiently active leaching water regime on soil-forming parent rocks, such as moraines, mantle loams, etc. They, as a rule, have a sufficient content of calcium.
Under a layer of litter or forest litter is the horizon dark gray, humus-accumulative, its structure is finely lumpy. The thickness of this layer is 15-30 centimeters, further down to a depth of half a meter lies the humus-eluvial horizon, in which there are more or less pronounced signs of podzolization. The brown illuvial horizon is located at a depth of up to 100 cm, which is then replaced by an illuvial-carbonate layer at a level of 100-150 cm. The latter passes into the soil-forming parent rock. The profile layer located at the top gives an acidic reaction, the lower part of the profile is neutral and alkaline in reaction.
Gray forest soils are divided into light gray, gray and dark gray. Light gray soils contain from 2% to 4% humus, they are the most podzolized, the structure of these soils is very weak. Gray and dark gray forest soils contain up to 7-9% humus, they are less podzolized soils, have fairly good physical properties, these soils have a significantly high and well-defined biological activity, their fertile qualities are better than those of light gray forest soils.
Gray forest soils are quite widespread throughout the territory of Russia, this is the European part of the country, and quite large areas, both in Western Siberia, and in Eastern.
Gray forest soils have long been actively involved in agricultural production, they are used to grow various grains, they are productive for vegetable crops and technical. Horticulture develops on such lands. However, gray forest soils are enough to maintain high quality agriculture needs fertilizers, various mineral elements and organic substances, grass sowing has a positive effect.
Brown forest soils
Brown forest soils belong to the type of soils, the formation of which occurs under various forests: broad-leaved, mixed, less often coniferous forests of the temperate climatic zone, in a rather warm and humid climate.
This type of soil is characterized by the accumulation of iron oxides, which cause the brown color of the soil layer, weak differentiation of horizon profiles, and the presence of claying processes. According to the structure, brown forest soils are formed as lumpy and nutty. The humus horizon is well developed, the thickness of this layer reaches 20-30 centimeters. Humus content is high, it reaches 10%. The reaction of the soil is expressed from slightly acidic to acidic. Often these soils are podzolized.
Brown forest soils are highly fertile. On the territory of Russia, these soils have spread to Far East, are present in the Crimea and the foothills of the Caucasus.
In agricultural production, brown forest soils are well suited for growing tea and grapes, citrus fruits, many vegetables and various varieties. fruit crops, some cereals and fodder crops.
The areas of arable land are constantly shrinking, they are withdrawing from agricultural circulation for growing cities and the construction of reservoirs and roads, industrial production.
Another problem of modern land use is the process of soil erosion. Often it is of natural origin, but industrial and other human intervention increases this damage many times over. soil like natural resource is easily destructible, and the problem of rational use of soil resources is significant at the moment.
No farmer would agree with the famous line, "Nature has no bad weather." Climatic conditions can be very unfavorable for agriculture. The same applies to soils. To have chernozem http://keramzit-pesok.ru/chernozem.html, good timely rains and a sunny summer, any gardener in central Russia would be happy. But if the situation with moisture and heat changes in different years, then with the land you have to be content with what you have or buy what you want in the relevant companies.
What soils are the most fertile?
Russian gardeners are lucky in this regard. True, not for everyone, but only for those living in certain regions of the country. Chernozems are the most fertile soils in the world. They form on loess-like loams. By their own unique properties literally comparable to minerals: they are not found everywhere and are of great value. Their humus layer can be as thick as more than a meter, and in ravine forests up to four, which is a record that is absolutely not achievable for other types of soils.
Where are black soils located?
More than 50% of all their world reserves are concentrated in Russia. Mainly in the strip from the middle and lower reaches of the Don and further east to Western Siberia. Voronezh black soil was even kept in Paris as a standard of fertility. In addition to Russian, Ukrainian ones are very rich. They occupy almost half the area of this country and make up about one-twelfth of all existing in the world. There are black soils not only in Eurasia, but also in the western United States, southern Canada, Argentina and Chile.
- the surface layer of land, which has fertility. Exist different kinds soils, almost all of them are used in agriculture. Knowing the fundamentals about the characteristics of the soil, about which soil is the most fertile, and what to do to improve this unique quality, is extremely important for everyone involved in gardening and horticulture.
Work on the cultivation of vegetable and fruit crops on such soil requires a lot of effort, since:
despite the presence of a large number of compounds, they do not reach plants well, because the density
- soil is elevated;
- it is difficult to handle;
- there is not enough oxygen in it and air circulation is difficult;
- soil heating is slow;
- water stagnation is often observed on the surface, since the soil has insufficient moisture permeability;
- in hot weather a hard crust forms on the surface of the soil.
It is easy to determine this type: if a lump of moistened soil rolls into a rounded sausage, the ends of which are connected by a ring without any problems, then this is clay soil.
Increasing the fertility of clay soil
Peat, sand, lime and ash - this is a list of those substances, the systematic introduction of which improves the structure clay soil.
Peat acts as a loosening material, which increases the water-absorbing qualities. But it must be taken into account that peat has hyperacidity, therefore, it is necessary to add lime along with it, dolomite flour or ash for neutralization. Sand helps loosen the soil.
River sand is recommended for application, but construction (quarry) sand is ineffective, since it does not pass air and water well, it is practically not fertile, it contains clay. Ash is an excellent nutrient enrichment for the soil, and lime helps to reduce acidity and increases air permeability.
The cultivation of clay soil is helped by the introduction of organic matter (preferably horse manure), cultivation of green manure plants.
What to grow in clay soil
- planting in high ridges and ridges;
- small embedding of seeds;
- planting seedlings at an angle;
- frequent;
- mandatory mulching.
The application of all these measures will help increase the fertility of clay soil and collect excellent yields.
sandy soil
Such soil is classified as a type of lung. Her outward signs is friability, flowability. A dense lump of such earth is practically not formed. Sandy soil has its pros and cons of quality. TO positive qualities relate:
- fast heating;
- easy moisture permeability;
- good breathability.
At the same time, sandy soil is characterized by rapid drying, cooling, and leaching of nutrients into the deep layers of the soil.
Cultivation of sandy soil
The fertility of this type of soil is increased by the following activities:
- the systematic introduction of additives such as peat, compost, humus, clay or drill flour.
- sowing green manure plants;
- quality .
If you systematically follow the above tips, then after 4-5 years the quality of sandy soil will improve.
To create fertile ridges on this type of soil, many gardeners use the following method:
- The garden area is fenced off.
- A layer of clay is laid at the bottom of the fenced area.
- At least 30 cm of imported sandy or loamy soil is poured on top of the clay.
Such artificial beds will allow in the shortest possible time and with least cost get good harvests.
What to grow in sandy soil
On sandy soil, you can get a good harvest of almost all horticultural crops subject to frequent use in small doses liquid dressings fast acting .
sandy soil
If a clod of wet earth in your area rolls into a rounded sausage, but such a sausage does not hold its shape well, crumbles, then you have sandy loam soil in your hands. In its structure, it is light and resembles sandy soil, but with a large amount of clay inclusions. Therefore, it retains nutrients better, is able to retain heat and moisture for a long time.
On such soil, subject to the usual agricultural practices, all the main vegetables, as well as fruit crops, grow well.
loamy soil
A handful of loamy soil easily rolls into a sausage, holds its shape well, but does not curl into a ring. The positive qualities of loamy soil include:
- ease of processing;
- sufficient amount of nutrients;
- good absorption and moisture retention;
- enough oxygen;
- fast heating and slow cooling.
The structure of loamy soil does not require improvement, it is only necessary to replenish the supply of nutrients by introducing organic matter during digging (half a bucket per square meter), feeding plants with minerals, mulching plantings. Almost all plants on loam give a good harvest.
calcareous soil
The calcareous soil has a light brownish tint, which becomes off-white when moistened. In its structure, it is very similar to sandy, but it is distinguished by a high content of lime. It also quickly overheats and dries out.
Plants in such soil suffer from a lack of iron and manganese, so their leaves turn yellow and poor growth is noted. According to the degree of acidity, calcareous soil is alkaline.
The introduction of a large amount of organic matter is the most quality way increasing the fertility of calcareous soil. Organics are embedded in the soil not only during autumn digging, but also by mulching plants with humus.
Such soils are favorable for plants that prefer weak acidity. When growing crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, it is recommended to apply fertilizers that can acidify the soil (urea, ammonium sulfate).
Growing vegetables and horticultural crops on calcareous soils requires a large amount of watering, loosening, reasonable top dressing. This laborious process, but otherwise get decent harvest from calcareous soil is not possible.
Peaty-marshy soil
Many people believe peat-marshy soil fertile. But this is an erroneous opinion. It is loose, water-permeable, but contains an insufficient amount of elements such as phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, it dries quickly, warms up for a long time. Application river sand improves the fertility of peat soils. In addition, the introduction of organic matter, microbiological additives, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and clay is mandatory. Only then will the soil become suitable for growing garden and garden plants.
love peat soil and crops such as gooseberries, chokeberries grow well on it.
The most fertile and potentially promising for agriculture are chernozem soils, but, unfortunately, they are quite rare on household plots. The structure of the chernozem is granular-cloddy, it has excellent water-absorbing and water-retaining abilities, it contains a large amount of nutrients available to plants.
Therefore, the first 2-3 years of planting on chernozem practically do not require top dressing. Over time, chernozem, like other types of soil, will become poorer, therefore, the introduction of organic matter during digging, sowing green manure plants is necessary for it.
Chernozem soil is determined simply: a handful of earth strongly compressed in the hand leaves a greasy imprint on the palm.
While watching the video, you will learn about soil types.
More than a hundred years ago, V.V. Dokuchaev established the geographic zonality along which the main types of soils on Earth are located. It shows where fertile gray soils are located. On the territory of Russia, zonality is more pronounced than in other countries. This is due to the large extent of the country from south to north and the predominance of flat relief.
Soil types
Within the territory of Russian Federation zonal change of soils is clearly seen. There are tundra lands, gley, sod-podzolic, podzolic, brown and gray, fertile soils(chernozems), semi-deserts, chestnut, gray soils, gray-brown. In the subtropics, red and yellow soils are common. In the mountains, a feature of soil change is altitudinal zonality. All types are divided by composition, structure. Soil fertility also influences the classification.
Description of types
The northern part of the country is represented by tundra-gley soils. They are thin, contain a small amount of oxygen. In the forest zone, the most common different types lands. Podzolic lands are formed in the taiga under coniferous forests. Due to the decomposition of coniferous litter, acids are formed that increase mineralization and organic decay. From upper layers waters wash out the humus and transfer it to the lower layers. As a result of this, the upper layers become whitish, which is why they got their name - podzol. If upper layer enriched with humus, then such a land is called sod-podzolic.
The most fertile soils - chernozems - are formed in the forest-steppe zone. They are characterized by the absence of a washing regime, and due to steppe plants soil is enriched with organic matter. Because of this, a large layer of humus is formed. In arid lands, a chestnut layer is formed. They are low in humus. Such soils are found to the south, where the climate is dry and warm, and vegetation is sparse. At close proximity ground water salt marshes are formed.
Chernozems
Chernozem is considered the most fertile soil. It is characterized by black color, grain-lumpy structure. This type land is formed under grassy vegetation in the steppe and forest-steppe zone.
Chernozem is characterized by the following:
- A large number of humus. Chernozem contains up to fifteen percent of humus. Because of this, these lands are highly fertile.
- Lots of microorganisms. In each type of soil there are microorganisms, but it is in the chernozem that they are the most.
- The fertile soils of Russia have a granular-lumpy structure.
harvest land
Chernozem soils have the highest yield. In zones with such land, warm temperatures prevail, stimulating the intensity of metabolism in plants.
Natural conditions play a significant role in the creation of soils, which form a favorable regime for the accumulation of nutrients and their conservation. In the black soil layer there are many worms and bacteria. They create favorable conditions for growing any kind of plants.
Where is chernozem found
In addition to the territory of the Russian Federation, chernozem soils are found in America, Canada, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. The Chernozem region in Russia accounts for about half of all fertile lands on the planet. Also, the chernozem on our territory has a rich composition, while in other countries these lands are poorer.
Types of chernozem
And what fertile soils of all types of black soil are the best? The characteristics of the black earth determine the type. So, according to this criterion, podzolized, typical, leached, southern land is distinguished. In the central part of Russia, chernozem has about eight percent humus. The layers themselves lie at a depth of no more than seventy centimeters.
Steppe chernozem belongs to a typical species. It contains about ten percent of humus. In layers North America the humus content is not more than three centimeters. And this despite the fact that the land with its content of less than two percent is considered to be dead. Of all the black soils of Russia, Voronezh is considered the standard of fertility. It is even exhibited in the museum of France as a symbol of fertility.
Chernozem formation
The formation of chernozem is a long and complex process. It is influenced not only by flora and fauna, but also by the location of the land, the climate of the region. In the process of farming, if the land is not replenished with fertilizers, the quality of the black soil is lost. The cut fertile layer loses its properties after a few years. An example of this is the transportation of chernozem layers to Germany in post-war period. Over the years, they have lost their properties.
Sale of black soil
IN last years Soil sales are growing rapidly. This leads to the destruction of the black earth, the creation of which takes decades. The fertility of the land is influenced by many factors, among which the main one is the type of plants growing on the ground. If the plant has a powerful root system, then the fertility of the chernozem will be better. This is due to the fact that large roots loosen the soil when deepened, allowing oxygen to penetrate deep into the formation. The most fertile soils are those on which trees and shrubs grow.
Chernozem use
Chernozem is delivered to various parts of the world. It is used in landscaping major cities where the land is depleted. IN middle lane Russian chernozem soils are used to create the necessary fertile layer. With its help, water permeability, granulometric composition, and density are optimized. After the introduction of soil on sandy lands, there is an improvement, an improvement in fertility.
The territory of Russia is vast, but there are few lands favorable for agriculture. More than ten percent of the land area is occupied by tundra, about thirteen percent is wetland, the same amount of land is used in agriculture. The most valuable lands make up about seven percent of the entire country. Half of them are in the Chernozem region: about eighty percent of the country's total production is produced here. Podzolic and chestnut lands are allocated for pastures and hayfields.
IN soil types, in which, in addition to small particles - sand, dust, silt (the main composition of any soil) - contains significant amount humus and lime are called structural. Air easily penetrates into such soils, moisture is well absorbed. They have an increased vital activity of beneficial microorganisms, due to which the reserves of nutrients available to plants increase. Therefore, such soils are more fertile.
What types of soil are considered fertile
A fertile soil is a soil from which plants receive enough nutrients of all kinds and moisture. Rich soil can contain many nutrients, but due to poor structure, they are in a form inaccessible to plants. Poor soil is characterized by an insignificant amount of nutrients, the availability of which for plants is also limited due to its poor structure.
Some vegetable growers make the mistake of believing that the poorer the soil, the more mineral fertilizers should be applied to it. Large doses of mineral fertilizers create an excessively high concentration of soil solution in such soils, which is harmful to plants. On poor soils, mineral fertilizers should be applied in the spring and only together with organic fertilizers. Most effective in this case garden fertilizer mixture, which is recommended to be mixed with rotted manure or humus before application - one part of fertilizer to two parts of humus
In the middle zone of our country in main soil types the most common are soddy-podzolic, soddy and peat-bog soils.
Soddy-podzolic soils are poor in organic matter, have high acidity: with poor cultivation, after watering and rains, they swim, forming a soil crust. Soddy soils are more fertile, rich in organic matter (humus). They are used as the main component of soil for greenhouses and greenhouses, as well as for seedling pots.
Drained peat bog areas (peat bogs), when certain doses of mineral fertilizers and lime are applied, are most favorable for obtaining high yields of vegetables. Particularly good for vegetable growing are lowland peatlands, which contain a lot of nitrogen and have low acidity. With complex use, such peatlands not only constitute excellent agricultural land, but also serve as a source of peat for fertilizer and soil for greenhouse greenhouses. Raised peatlands have high acidity, are poor in nitrogen and other minerals, therefore, for the cultivation of vegetables in open field are not used. However, high-moor peat is a valuable substrate for hydroponically growing vegetables and a good bedding material for livestock.
According to the mechanical composition, soils are divided into clay, loamy, sandy and sandy loamy. The mechanical composition of the soil is determined by the size of the particles of which it is composed.
Clay soils are heavy, highly cohesive and compact, especially after watering and rain. The soil crust formed in this case sharply impairs the access of air to the roots of plants, such soil warms up poorly and dries out. To increase fertility in autumn (better) or spring, 4-5 kg of peat composts, straw manure, vegetable composts or 0.2-0.3 kg are added to it. wood ash per 1 m². Peat-dung and peat-fecal composts, straw manure are planted on clay soil no deeper than 15-17 cm. Mineral fertilizers usually contribute in the spring (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), also to a shallow depth (up to 20 cm); it is better to apply them locally - in rows and holes. This approach to fertilization on heavy loamy soils is combined with an acceptable shallow incorporation of vegetable seeds and potato tubers.
Loamy soils are more structural and fertile than clayey ones. Them nutrients are in a more accessible form for plants. In practice, these soils are suitable for growing all types of vegetable crops.
Sandy soils are considered infertile. They pass water quickly. As a result, nutrients introduced into the arable horizon are intensively washed into the lower layers. However, due to rapid warming and good aeration, such soils are of some value for early vegetable growing, subject to a constant increase in their fertility. This is achieved by the systematic introduction organic fertilizers, especially peat composts (if possible, pond silt is also added), better in autumn, but it is possible in the spring, subject to intensive watering. Fertilizer consumption per 1 m² - 4-5 kg of manure or 6-8 peat. You can make fractional - half in the fall to a depth of 17 cm, the rest - in the spring. Seeds are sown on sandy soils, and seedlings are planted deeper than on clay soils.
Sandy soils are more fertile than sandy ones, especially for cultivation. early vegetables: the structure is better, they retain nutrients and moisture more reliably.
How to determine the mechanical composition of the soil
It is difficult to accurately determine the mechanical composition of the soil without special analysis. However, there simple tricks, quite affordable for an amateur vegetable grower.
For example, they choose the soil for half a spade of a shovel from the arable layer, pour water into the hole formed and mix it with the soil collected from the arable land. From the resulting dough, make a sausage and bend it into a ring. If the ring cracks, the soil is loamy; if the dough does not form, the soil is sandy; if the ring does not crack, the soil is clayey.
1. Scale for determining the mechanical composition of the soil
| Soil differences by mechanical composition | In wet conditions (if the soil is dry, it is moistened) | |
|---|---|---|
| when rolling | when squeezed | |
| Sands are loose | The ball cannot be rolled. When rubbed on the palm, no clay particles remain - the palm is clean | - |
| Connected sands | The ball cannot be rolled. When rubbed on the palm, clay particles remain | - |
| sandy loam | The cord cannot be rolled up, but you can roll the ball | The ball crumbles with light pressure. |
| loams | A long cord cannot be rolled up - it breaks and crumbles | The ball turns into a cake with cracks along the edges |
| Clay | A long thin cord is formed | The ball is compressed into a cake, does not crack at the edges |