EFFECT OF NO-TILL ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SOUTH RUSSIA SOIL

References: 17th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2017, www.sgem.org, SGEM2017 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-05-8 / ISSN 1314-2704, 29 June - 5 July, 2017, Vol. 17, Issue 32, 185-192 pp, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2017/32/S13.025

ABSTRACT

The influence of seven years of using the direct seeding technology on the eco-biological properties of black soils in the Rostov region has been comparatively studied. These soils are found in vast areas of the South of Russia, and are the most productive arable soils. Seasonal comprehensive studies have shown that, if compared to the traditional ways of tillage, direct seeding results in changes in the soils’ physical and biological properties. The studied parameters of soils considerably depend on the cultivated agricultural crops. With the use of various agricultural technologies, soil temperature varies only slightly. In the surface soil layer (0 - 10 cm), humidity, density and hardness (resistance to penetration) (during the dry season), biogenetic and soil biological activity of soils increase. The influence of the no-till technology on the physical properties in the middle and the bottom parts of the profile, as compared with the traditional soil treatment technology, is insignificant. Therefore, the soil-saving direct seeding technology may be a radical way of preserving and improving potential soil fertility.

Keywords: biodiagnostics, no-till, anthrpogenous impact, black soil.