Natural perfection of black soil. Chernozem - how it is formed, types, characteristics, properties, application in the garden In what natural landscape are chernozem soils formed

Chernozem is a natural wealth. It improves the quality of the soil that is used to grow crops. This material contains humus, which is responsible for fertility. Chernozem includes humus and carbonate profiles. It is formed due to the sod process, as well as complex biochemical reactions.

General information about chernozem, its types, structure

Natural material may be intact or plowed. The sod process occurring in the chernozem involves the accumulation of humus with the inclusion of humate and calcium. Natural wealth contains mineral components necessary for plant photosynthesis, among them:

iron;
calcium;
magnesium.

The structure of the chernozem is lumpy or granular. It is caused by the influence of living organisms, products of their vital activity. Natural material is rich in organic matter, which is also responsible for fertility. The weakening of the sod process is associated with plowing. When performing this procedure, the natural structure of the earth is disturbed, humus is lost.

In the chernozem, carbonates migrate and accumulate. If the carbonate migration proceeds correctly, the earth is saturated with calcium, acquires a neutral alkaline reaction. Migration of carbonate is needed for heat and air exchanges. The forest-steppe chernozem is washed by water, the steppe chernozem receives less moisture. In the latter case, carbonate migration is slowed down, but still the soil receives water.

Description of brown soil

There are such types of brown soil:

typical;
carbonate;
leached.

The latter is formed in forest areas. Leached soil is available on the territory of Russia, Europe, North America. It is suitable for trees and large shrubs. Alkaline soil contains little clay. Carbonate in such land is pronounced. The reaction, as a rule, is slightly alkaline, the pH level is 7 - 7.2. The most popular of the carbonate soils are chestnut and grey-brown. They are distinguished by a dull yellow-brown tint. The pH level is 7.5 - 8.

If a lot of carbonate accumulates in the soil, the surface acquires a light marble color. Certain biochemical reactions take place in the soil. Water washes away salt and carbonates. Humus is a fertile layer. In addition to it, clay is present in the soil, not a large number of iron hydroxide. Under natural conditions, the earth receives not so little water, because of this, natural reactions proceed slowly, a small amount of clay is formed. The formation of brown soil is impossible without rubification. This process is responsible for the shade. Iron oxide is weathered, dehydration occurs, resulting in a microscopic film on the soil. Brown soil is available in coniferous and deciduous forests.

About gray forest soils

They are common in Russia, Europe, America, Canada. The soil of the forest-steppe has a complex composition. It combines several soil mixtures. Soil of this type is washed. The forest-steppe zone has a temperate continental climate, cool and humid summers. In such conditions it is possible to cultivate agricultural plants.

Gray forest soil is found in the forest-steppe zone of Europe, birch forests of Siberia. On the territory of America, there is an alternation: deciduous forests are combined with the steppe. Gray forest soils are distributed throughout the globe. They are rich in aluminum, iron and phosphorus. Beneficial features also due to the content of magnesium, hydromica. There are two types of soil for agricultural purposes: developed and cultivated.

Chernozem in agriculture

Natural material can be called perfect. It is rain and drought tolerant. Chernozem will not replace organics or any mineral compositions. The soil used in agriculture formed over several thousand years. Chernozem ordinary exists in conditions of different climates. The peculiarity of natural material is that it contains humus, which is responsible for fertility.

Fertile soil has a lumpy or granular structure. It contains 40-65% calcium. Red chernozem is rich in acids. They, together with microorganisms, penetrate the root system of the plant and provide deep nutrition. The soil used in agriculture is well permeable to water, however, it is not very loose. To improve the composition of the soil, you can add a small amount of peat. This component will retain water, so the plants will get moisture longer. Fertile soil consists of several parts of black soil, one part of sand and peat.

If the soil is fertile, it leaves a characteristic imprint when squeezed in the hand. Such land contains a lot of humus and is suitable for growing various crops. sandy soil has a porous structure, clay is heavy. Plants take root well in soil saturated with humus. This component is responsible not only for fertility, but also for air exchange. Having black soil on the site, you can forget about chemicals for a while.

Fertile land properties

Speaking of chernozems, it must be remembered that after a while valuable substances evaporate. To make up for the shortage, it is necessary to use organic matter or chemicals. The stale soil is a little pale. A certain amount of valuable substances, including humus, is washed out with water. The roots also absorb valuable components. Microorganisms that live in fertile soil die over time. They are needed for all natural reactions to take place. If the soil becomes scarce, the gardener gets a poor harvest. After 3-4 years, the land becomes less fertile.

If crops are planted in the garden that have a small root system, the soil will deteriorate faster. Trees and large shrubs loosen the ground, which means that they improve air circulation. Thanks to trees and shrubs, the soil is divided into several sectors. Gardeners who grow small plants, after a couple of years they risk getting a heavy substrate.

Chernozem is needed for the growth of large and medium plants. If crops with weak roots are grown on the site, it is worth improving the composition of the soil by adding a small amount of black soil. For vegetables, a soil mixture consisting of garden soil and black soil in proportions of 3: 1 is ideal. If the soil has a neutral pH, acidifying compounds should be added. They include ammonium.

compost;
manure;
organic fertilizers.

Useful minerals. Green manure or auxiliary plants also increase the fertility of the soil. They are grown once every five years, embedded directly into the ground. If the soil has a low pH, such as 5, deacidification is required. For these purposes, use. Make 200 g per 1 sq. m. If there is little magnesium in the soil, dolomite flour must be used. Make 200 g per 1 sq. m.

If possible, use soil that has normal acidity. The optimum pH level should be within 7. You can buy indicator paper. It will allow you to determine the acidity of the soil in a particular area. Chernozem contains humus. This substance is formed naturally when plant residues rot. If the fertile soil has a large amount of humus, a good harvest is guaranteed.

Widespread use of chernozem

Natural material can be added even to depleted soil. It has a healing effect.

When cultivating horticultural crops, it is not recommended to dig into the ground with a shovel. It is better to use a pitchfork, otherwise the ground will become very dense.
Do not destroy earthworms. They loosen the soil and promote formation. By properties, this natural material compared with humus.

How to choose the right thing to pay attention to?

Gardeners are interested in how to choose black soil and not fall for the trick of scammers. There are different reviews about black soil on the network, among them are not only positive, but also negative. Summer residents claim that they bought poor-quality soil mixture instead of the declared black soil. To avoid mistakes, you need to contact trusted specialists. Chernozem cannot be cheap. It is brought from the territory where there are natural deposits. The seller spends a certain amount of money on shipping.

The buyer should contact a well-known manufacturer. A product purchased on the side of the road is likely to be of poor quality. Good black soil improves soil properties. It makes up for the lack of trace elements necessary for the full photosynthesis of the plant. As noted, over a certain time, the black soil loses its properties.

What do scammers do

An unscrupulous manufacturer can sell a soil mixture of soil, sand and peat. She is of no use.
Most buyers "peck" at a low cost. Dried silt resembles black soil. It lies in the depths of the lake and is not used in agriculture. Fraudsters can give out silt for black soil. When exposed to moisture, the sludge becomes acidic and becomes covered with a characteristic crust.
An unscrupulous producer can sell black soil, which contains a lot of chemicals. It is mined in the fields where there was previously agricultural work.
In fact, ordinary land located near the highway can be taken as black soil. It contains heavy metals and can harm the plant.

Before buying black soil, you need to check the documentation. If the seller provides a certificate received in the environmental register, then the product has passed the test. The buyer should know the chemical and physical properties of the soil. The first appear in the documents. The certificate indicates the amount of nutrients, including humus. Such a document indicates what the black soil consists of. Quality soil contains a lot of nitrogen and potassium. These components are necessary for the full photosynthesis of plants. There is little nitrogen in sandy and sandy soil.

It is recommended to carefully examine the ground. It should not contain sand and other third-party impurities. To check the physical properties of the earth, you need to hold it in your hands. It's best to inspect the item. The top layer may be dry, but at a depth of 20 cm - wet. High-quality black soil has a rich black color and a crumbly structure. You should take a small amount of earth and moisten. If it crumbles, then there is little humus. The structure of the earth must be homogeneous. It is not recommended to buy black soil with the inclusion of sawdust, twigs, foliage.

Fertilizers for depleted soil

Now we know what black soil is and what properties it has. Over time, it becomes less loose and fertile.

Ash is used to make up for the lack of valuable substances. It is rich in manganese, boron, lime. Most summer residents use the ashes of deciduous crops. This fertilizer contains more valuable substances. The ash of young trees saturates the soil with nitrogen, which is necessary for the healthy development of the root system. The fertilizer does not contain chlorine - this is an important advantage.
To improve the composition of the soil, you can use manure. It promotes the growth of fruit crops. Gardeners often use rotted manure. It is applied once every 3 years. Bird droppings are also used as fertilizer. Lay in a layer of 15 cm and sprinkle with superphosphate. Manure can be diluted with peat or ordinary fertile soil.
To improve the quality of the soil, you need to make a pile of compost. It includes rotted grass, weeds, food debris. In order for the fertilizer to show its properties to the fullest, it is necessary to moisten it. You can lay weed grass between rows of shrubs. It will decompose and saturate the soil with valuable components. The remains of plants are also buried in the ground, after which they are dug up.

Mineral compositions

To improve the quality of the soil, mineral and organic agents are used. The first allow you to get a rich harvest. The latter saturate the soil with nitrogen, as well as valuable trace elements.

There are several types mineral compositions. Each of them improves the quality of the soil and contributes to good growth seedlings.

Phosphate fertilizers include superphosphate. This substance is embedded in the soil during digging, previously poured with water. When using superphosphate, you must follow the instructions. Fertilizer is not mixed with chalk or lime. Instead of superphosphate, phosphate rock can be used.
Potassium sulfate is applied in the fall, after liming. The fertilizer contains wood ash, which regulates the acidity of the soil. The potassium composition is rich in phosphorus, iron, silicon. The drug of this group is applied in spring or autumn. Potassium chloride is saturated with chlorine, which can harm plants. The agent is applied moderately, clearly following the instructions. Well, if the excess chlorine is washed out by groundwater.
Nitrogen fertilizer is used as root dressing. Compositions of this type have an acidifying effect. Nitrogen is contained in carbonite. If necessary, use sodium nitrate.

The soil is fertilized with green manure. Auxiliary crops make up for the lack of valuable substances and nitrogen. At correct use green manure will suppress weeds. You should grow plants that are rapidly gaining green mass. They are buried a couple of centimeters or left on the surface of the soil. Green manure protects the soil from pests. Gradually, the roots rot and the soil receives the necessary amount of valuable substances. Green manure is often used as a fertilizer, mowed mainly before flowering.

To grow a stronger plant, you need to follow the rules of agricultural technology. When choosing black soil, you should be extremely careful. In the fall, digging is done. Thanks to this procedure, the roots receive more oxygen and air exchange improves. It is advisable to dig up the ground when the air temperature reaches + 13 degrees. It is not recommended to overmoisten the ground, water should be applied moderately, immediately after the procedure. Digging is very necessary if the soil is clayey. When carrying out the procedure, it is important not to damage the roots. To keep the soil loose longer, use a fork.

What mineral fertilizer did you use?

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complex mineral vitamin * 5%, 162 vote

"... the root, incomparable wealth of Russia ..."
(V.V. Dokuchaev. Russian chernozem, 1898)

The parent rocks of chernozems are represented by loose loess-like deposits and loess, but chernozems are also found on derivatives of dense rocks. As a rule, parent rocks have a silty-silty granulometric composition, contain carbonates, their fine fractions consist of mixed-layer mica-smectite formations. The formation of chernozems is facilitated by increased porosity and microaggregation of rocks, their good water permeability and high absorption capacity.

Chernozems are common both on elevated erosive plains and on low accumulative plains (including terraces), as well as in foothills and intermountain basins.

The climate of the distribution areas of chernozems as a whole is characterized by balanced moisture (Kuvl = 1–0.5) with a summer maximum of precipitation and a relatively uniform distribution of them in the rest of the time, warm summers with drying of the profile and its freezing in winter. The alternation of these cycles is necessary for the formation of a kind of "chernozem" humus.

Steppe forb-grass vegetation is traditionally considered an important factor in chernozem formation due to the large mass of roots, increased ash content and easy decomposition of litter and steppe plants, high biodiversity of cenoses, and, consequently, cyclic vegetation and different depths of root systems. These features of phytocenoses, combined with a moderately warm and periodically humid soil climate, provide high biological activity of microbial cenoses, as well as meso- and macrofauna.

Chernozems occupy about 8% of the country's area, they are most diverse in the European part of Russia, where geographic models of their distribution were created. Chernozems form a number of subzonal subtypes: - podzolized, leached and typical; steppe - ordinary and southern. The series is supplemented by facies subtypes: in the south of Russia - Azov-Caucasus, and in Siberia - cryogenic-micellar and powdery-carbonate.

Genetic horizons: The accumulative-humus (dark humus) horizon is the “visiting card” of chernozem, it is almost the same in all subtypes and types of chernozems. It has an excellent macrostructure (a, b) and microstructure (c). Water-resistant aggregates, largely created by earthworms and root systems, form a granular structure and "root beads". High porosity (up to 50%) and low bulk density (~1/cm3) are characteristic. The dark color is determined by the high content of humus (5–8%) and its humate-calcium composition (Cgc/Cphc > 2). The horizon is saturated with bases, its reaction is close to neutral. The thickness of the horizon is 40 - 120 cm.

The accumulative-carbonate horizon in its formation is associated with humus (saturation with its roots and biological activity), hydrothermal regimes of the profile and carbonate content of the rock. The accumulation of carbonates is determined by the seasonal dynamics of CO2 and soil solutions, and the forms of carbonate neoplasms serve as criteria for the division of chernozems. Thus, migratory forms of carbonates - tubules, pseudomycelium (d) - are characteristic of chernozems of a relatively humid and warm climate, in contrast to segregations - white-eye (e), which are formed in a more continental and arid climate.

Chernozems within the forest-steppe are found in combinations (according to the mesorelief) with gray forest ones. Steppe chernozems form vast homogeneous areas; on the Volga Upland, chernozems on dense sedimentary rocks introduce diversity into the soil cover; in the Trans-Volga region, solonetzes and solonetsous soils are common among chernozems. In the western and central regions, medium-thick and powerful, low- and medium-humus species and subspecies of chernozems predominate; to the east, the humus content in the humus horizon increases and the thickness of the humus profile decreases. The maximum thickness of the humus profile with a low humus content is characteristic of the chernozems of Ciscaucasia. Provincial patterns in relation to the humus profile can also be traced in the zonal series of Siberian chernozems, the most complete series of which is presented in the West Siberian. To the east, the areas of chernozems become fragmented - in the foothills and intermountain basins (with forest-steppe cryogenic-mycelial chernozems); in the steppe powdery-calcareous chernozems are combined with meadow-chernozem soils in the basins.

A fertile humus horizon with a high humus content and a thickness of up to 1 m or more is a distinctive feature of Russian chernozems. It is no coincidence that in the early soil classifications, chernozems were distinguished as "fat" and "heavy duty". Increased reserves of humic substances in chernozems are associated with the characteristics of the biological cycle, characteristic of virgin forb-feather grass and fescue-feather grass. The main background in them is cereals with developed root systems, so that the root litter, rich in nitrogen and ash elements, accounts for 40–60% of the total input of organic residues into the soil. Their decomposition under optimal hydrothermal conditions at neutral or slightly alkaline pH values contributes to the formation of humus with a predominance of complex humic acids, which are firmly fixed in the soil. During the period of studies of Russian chernozems by the founder of Russian soil science V.V. Dokuchaev, the level of humus content in the soils of the forest-steppe and steppe zones of what was then Russia ranged from 3–6% to 10–13%, which was reflected on the map of “isohumus bands” (humus content). VV's map illustrates the level of humus content in the black soils of European Russia at the end of the 19th century; it increased from west to east, reflecting both the provincial features of chernozem formation and the longer agricultural use of chernozems in the western regions of the country.

The high fertility of chernozems determines their value in the arable fund of Russia, where they make up more than half. Large reserves of humus and basic plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), favorable water-physical properties led to the active development of chernozems, starting from the 17th–18th centuries. In the 20th century, small areas of virgin steppes remained only in protected areas; almost the entire black earth zone of the country was plowed up.

The natural profile of the chernozems used in soils changes to a lesser extent than is observed in other soils, which is associated with the large thickness of the humus horizon and the preservation of the herbaceous type of vegetation. However, in chernozems under agrocenoses, the nature of the biological cycle of substances changes due to the removal of crop phytomass and the application of fertilizers; the microclimate and all soil regimes are being transformed; for ordinary and southern chernozems, anthropogenic impacts are added Negative influence. Many studies have been devoted to the agrogenic degradation of chernozems, which have proved that its triggering mechanism is a decrease in the humus content and a change in its qualitative (fractional) composition. Dehumification of soils is a consequence of the accelerated mineralization of organic matter and its entry into arable soil in a much smaller volume, as well as direct losses of humus during water and wind. Even V. V. Dokuchaev in his work “Our steppes before and now” noted unfavorable trends in the loss of humus by chernozem soils. The use of intensive technologies in agriculture in the second half of the 20th century caused dehumification of almost all chernozems. The map compiled by G. Ya. Chesnyak (1986) “in the footsteps of Dokuchaev” (that is, based on the results of determining the humus content in the same places as in the expedition of V. V. Dokuchaev), shows the spatial trends of humus losses in the territory of the Russian plains for 100 years that have passed since the publication of the book by V. V. Dokuchaev "Russian Chernozem". Particularly large losses of humus were noted for the Cis-Urals, which is associated with the initial lower thickness of the humus profiles of these chernozems and the widespread development of erosion processes here caused by a combination of natural factors and a relatively low agricultural culture.

In addition to dehumification, the general trend during plowing is the deterioration of soil structure due to the loss of humus, changes in its composition and multiple passes through the field of heavy agricultural machines. The transformation of the granular or lumpy-granular structure of the upper ones, with their high porosity and water permeability, into blocky-silty is accompanied by the transfer of part of the subsoil runoff to the surface and leads to the development of planar (rill) erosion. In addition, arable soils are not covered in all seasons of the year, which changes their hydrothermal regime; due to deeper and longer freezing, the surface runoff of melt water increases. The development of erosion has greatly increased as a result of the reduction in the areas of watershed forests and the unlimited plowing of slopes, especially on the Central Russian and Volga Uplands with their dissected and in some places thin cover of loose deposits.

With a high potential fertility of chernozems, the factor limiting the receipt of high yields may be the instability of the moisture supply of crops (especially in the southern regions and in the Volga region). Large areas of southern and ordinary chernozems are used with regular irrigation. As a rule, secondary salinization does not threaten chernozems when watered at moderate rates, but such negative consequences as solonetzization, alkalization and deterioration of physical properties are observed: the formation of a surface crust and compaction.

Concern about the fate of the Russian Chernozem forces domestic soil scientists to pay increased attention to the study of various aspects of the functioning of these soils. World recognition of the role of chernozem was manifested in the fact that 2005 was declared the Year of Chernozem - the soil that opens the new international social and scientific campaign "Soil of the Year". alarming situation With state of the art and the use of chernozems inevitably raises the question of including a number of chernozems in the Red Book of Soils of Russia.

From school course many people remember well that the highest fertility rate is chernozem, which Russia was once famous for. However, when trying to give a precise and detailed definition of the concept, difficulties may arise.

At the same time, summer residents simply need to have an idea of what chernozem is and what is its main difference from other types of soils and types of soil.

Chernozems are formed in certain soil- climatic conditions and are a living ecosystem. But today there are many companies specializing in the supply of soil to any region of Russia, which expands the possibilities for summer residents and owners of private houses to improve the soil on their land.

Characteristics and properties of chernozem

Chernozem is a special type of soil that forms on loess-like loams or loess under the influence of a temperate continental climate with periodic changes in positive and negative temperatures and moisture levels with the participation of living microorganisms and invertebrates. As can be seen from the definition, chernozem cannot be produced under artificial conditions or obtained by making various kinds fertilizers.

The main characteristic of the soil is the percentage of humus. Chernozem is characterized by a record high content of humus (organic substances formed in the process of complex biochemical reactions and representing the most accessible form for plant nutrition). In the chernozems of our ancestors, its level was 15% or more, but today it is considered to be a maximum of 14%. The fact is that humus does not have time to recover during intensive farming and the soils are depleted.

Do not assume that black soil is just fertile soil. In fact, its concept is much broader. It cannot be compared with organic fertilizers such as manure or humus, since the concentration of nutrients in them is so high that excessive application of them can adversely affect plant growth. In the chernozem, all substances are balanced and are in an easily accessible form.

Next distinguishing feature chernozem - high calcium content, the need for which cultivated plants the highest in all stages of growth.

Chernozem is characterized by a neutral or close to neutral reaction of the soil solution, which makes it universal for growing crops.

Chernozem has a granular-cloddy structure that is resistant to leaching, crusting, weathering and compaction. Thanks to this structure, optimal water-air exchange with the atmosphere is ensured and favorable conditions for root growth. However, according to experts, the chernozem is not loose enough and requires the addition of sand or peat.

Chernozem subtypes

In different natural and climatic zones (Central Chernozem, Volga, North Caucasus and Western Siberia), chernozem is formed with some features. In total, 5 subtypes are distinguished: podzolized (broad-leaved forests), leached (forest-steppe zone), typical (meadows and forest-steppes), ordinary (steppes) and southern (steppes of southern regions). The southern chernozem has the highest humus index.

How to recognize black soil?

Chernozem differs significantly from humus and manure. Manure is a waste product of livestock and poultry farming and is a partially digested plant fiber with a high content of organic matter. Manure that has rotted for several years under the influence of microorganisms and invertebrates (worms and insects) turns into humus containing nutrients in a more accessible form for plants. Both manure and humus contain a very large amount of nitrogen and its compounds.

Peat is very close to chernozem in origin, which is also formed as a result of many years of decomposition of plant residues, but in different natural and climatic conditions.

You can give some advice on how to distinguish black soil from other soils:

has a rich black color;
due to the high content of humus leaves a greasy mark on the palm after compression;
when wet, it resembles clay in consistency and does not dry out for a long time, retaining moisture (unlike peat);
has a coarse texture.

It is quite difficult to buy real black soil with a quality certificate in the Moscow region, since its extraction is limited and it is likely to buy just dark soil. AT best case you will be lucky to get a mixture of black soil with lowland peat, which, with the right proportion, can even be a plus.

The use of black soil in a summer cottage

The desire of summer residents to increase soil fertility in their area to obtain high yields of fruits High Quality explains their willingness to use all available funds. To achieve a high effect and keep it for several years, you need to know how to use black soil in the garden without harming an already established ecosystem.

The main misconception of gardeners is with the help of complete replacement soil on black soil can always solve the problem of plant nutrition without the subsequent application of fertilizers and the use of humus or compost. Nutrients in the chernozem are actively used by plants for the formation of crops and seeds, therefore, without their replenishment, the humus content drops sharply and the soil is depleted.

A gross mistake would be the excessive application of chernozem for vegetable and flower crops, since their thin root system is not able to maintain the necessary porosity, which will eventually lead to soil compaction. It is recommended to add black soil mixed with garden soil and peat. Good result gives its introduction into greenhouses, greenhouses and flower beds for perennial ornamental plants. For these purposes, it is very convenient to use black soil in bags.

Plots where black soil has been introduced should only be dug up with a pitchfork to prevent soil compaction. Earthworms are a good biological indicator of soil condition.

Before applying, it is advisable to check the acidity level of the chernozem using indicator strips. With a slightly acidic reaction, lime, dolomite flour or wood ash will need to be added, and with a slightly alkaline reaction, acidic mineral fertilizers.

How much does black earth cost?

In organizations specializing in the sale of fertile soil, you can buy black soil with delivery to any location in the Moscow region.

Wherein average price 1 m3 of black soil with delivery is 1300 rubles. when ordering a machine for 20 m3. When ordering a dump truck for 10 m3, the price increases to about 1650 rubles. To calculate how much a chernozem machine costs, we take a volume of 10 m3 as the initial data. The result is a quite acceptable amount of 16,500 rubles. The larger the volume, the lower the price per 1 m3.

However, for summer cottages there may not be a need for such volumes. In such cases, you can purchase packaged black soil in bags of 40 or 50 liters. The cost of one bag ranges from 180 to 300 rubles. When buying more than 50 bags from most suppliers, bulk discounts begin to operate.

When planning delivery and unloading operations, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the black soil. Depending on the structure and composition, 1 m3 of black soil weighs from 1 to 1.3 tons.

Chernozem is a highly fertile land, dark in color, chernozems are rich in humus, with a pronounced granular-cloddy structure, usually chernozem is formed in forests, loams or clays, in a temperate continental climate.

Chernozem is rightfully considered the best soil for agriculture, while chernozem is formed under perennial herbaceous vegetation, in the climatic conditions of the steppe and forest-steppe territorial zones.

On the territory of our country - chernozems are located in the central black earth regions, the Volga region, in Western Siberia and in the North Caucasus, there are many black earth lands in Ukraine, as well as in some European countries, China, South and North America.

Chernozem, as soil, is rich in humus, is formed on loess-like loams or clays, as a rule, in a temperate continental climate, with periodic precipitation, under perennial vegetation, usually herbaceous.

Soil formation conditions for chernozems

For stable soil formation of chernozems, the following conditions are necessary - the climate is temperate, or moderately continental, there must be an alternation of moisture and desiccation, with the dominance of a positive temperature regime. The average annual temperature should not be lower than +3 +7 degrees Celsius, and the annual amount of precipitation is 300-600 mm.

The relief of occurrence of chernozems is wavy-flat, in some places it is cut by depressions, ravines, river terraces.

The vegetation on the chernozems is perennial herbaceous, meadow-steppe. Under appropriate climatic conditions, it decomposes, as a result of which humus compounds are formed, which, accordingly, accumulate in the upper layers of the soil.

Together with humus in the chernozem soil, in the form of complex organic, mineral compounds, such nutrients are formed for plants, such as nitrogen, iron, phosphorus and sulfur, etc. site/node/2879

About the properties of chernozem

Chernozems in their properties - have fairly good water-air qualities, but chernozem is distinguished by a lumpy or granular structure, a high content of calcium in the soil from 70 to 90%, inherent in chernozem - a neutral or almost neutral reaction.

Chernozem on earth is valued for its increased fertility, natural and intensive humification, and rather high, about 15%, humus content in the upper layers of the soil.

What are the types of black soil

Chernozems are divided into the following types:

Podzolized chernozem - these chernozems are common in broad-leaved grassy forests;

Leached chernozem - such chernozems are formed under the meadow forb-cereal steppes of the forest-steppe zone;

Typical chernozem - the formation of this type of chernozem occurs under forbs and cereals, i.e. meadow-steppe, vegetation in forest-steppe zones, loess-like and mantle loams;

Common chernozem - these chernozems can be found in the northern part of the steppe zone, and they are formed under forb vegetation;

Southern chernozems - these chernozems are formed under fescue-feather grass vegetation; they can be found in the southern part of the steppe zone.

Chernozem, which has a large amount of humus in its composition, is valued as a highly fertile soil that gives a high and stable yield. It also contains a large number of other useful substances, for fertility, so necessary for plants: nitrogen, sulfur, iron and phosphorus. The chernozem in its structure has a dense cloddy structure, and one of the most fertile is the southern chernozem, it is even called "fat chernozem".

Because of its fertility, black soil has always been valued throughout the world. And now, in modern times - black soil, is the best view land for growing vegetables, fruits, berries, trees and shrubs on it. Although it is worth knowing that for some plants, when planting them in the ground (chernozem), peat, sometimes sand or compost, should be mixed in to loosen the ground (soil), because the chernozem itself is quite dense, it does not differ in high friability.

Chernozem application

As we already know, black soil is the best soil for plants. As the name suggests, chernozem is the earth (soil) of dark color and very fertile.

Chernozem is used as a vegetable soil and is used when laying out lawns, in horticulture and as garden soil, etc. Chernozem is also used when cultivating land with a large composition of clay, land with poor drainage, to create a favorable air-water regime, and also, if necessary, to create a loose, lumpy soil structure.

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Chernozem is the most fertile of all other known soil types. As a rule, Russian chernozem is formed in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Russia, and its formation itself takes more than a dozen years. For the formation of chernozem, the presence of certain natural conditions is necessary, for example, such as a moderately cold and dry climate, an abundance of meadow and steppe vegetation. In the process of decomposition (humification) of a huge amount of vegetation residues that annually accumulate in the soil, the formation and accumulation of the so-called humus, which, in fact, is humus, occurs in the upper soil layer. Humus is considered the most valuable element in the composition of the black soil. It is due to the high content of humus that chernozem has the highest fertility rates, among all other types of soil, and a characteristic black or dark brown color with a “fat” tint. In addition to humus, chernozem is also rich in many other microelements useful and necessary for vegetation, for example, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and others.

Chernozem properties

Thanks to the loamy and granular-cloddy structure of the chernozem soil, which is ideal for the growth and development of vegetation, the most optimal water-air balance is stably maintained in the chernozem soil. The acidity of the chernozem is neutral, and the content of various soil microorganisms and calcium in it is simply huge. The quantitative content of humus in the chernozem soil can reach up to 15%. All of the above properties in the aggregate determine such high fertile properties of chernozem. Depending on the quantitative content of humus and the conditions in which the formation took place, the chernozem is classified as: leached, podzolized, ordinary, typical and southern.

Chernozem application

Chernozem is ideal for almost all types of plantations and, in most cases, does not require additional mixing with other components, such as organic and mineral fertilizers. In climatic conditions with good humidity, black soil can be extremely fertile. Chernozem soil is used with great success in the cultivation of crops such as cereals, vegetables, fodder, as well as in the cultivation of orchards and vineyards, in landscaping work in large cities and megacities, in landscape design. Usually, the extraction and delivery of black soil is carried out in order to form a rich fertile soil layer. It is known that the addition of chernozem even to the most depleted and depleted soil gives an excellent healing effect, which restores almost all soil characteristics, and above all water permeability and nutrient content. The greatest effect is achieved when using chernozem on light sandy and sandy loamy soils. The use of chernozem is possible both separately and together with other soil mixtures. However, it is worth noting that a single use of chernozem to enrich and improve a particular soil will not solve the problem of fertility once and for all. Unfortunately, after a few years, the microbiological composition of the soil will again be depleted and impoverished, which, accordingly, will lead to a decrease in the amount of nutrients.

Chernozem pH 6.0 -7.0

As already noted, chernozem is characterized by the highest, compared with other types of soils, natural fertility and humus content, as well as the presence of a granular-cloddy soil structure and loamy mechanical composition that is optimal for the growth and development of vegetation. It is also important that the chernozem soil contains a huge number of soil microorganisms. In Russia, chernozem soil is most common in the southern regions (Lipetsk, Tula, Ryazan, Voronezh, Belgorod and Kursk regions). As for the Moscow region, there are practically no black earth lands here. Buying black soil to improve fertility on personal plot, do not forget that a one-time introduction of chernozem into depleted soil will not solve the problem of fertility forever, since a change in natural conditions for chernozem will lead to a change in its microbiological composition, a decrease in nutrient content and the destruction of soil aggregates. As a result, in a few years, the black soil will turn into an ordinary clay substrate, cracking when dried and turning into ordinary mud after rain. Chernozem is quite simple to use, however, its use in the conditions of Moscow and the Moscow region should be carried out with the addition of sand or peat, for greater looseness of the soil layer of the earth.

Note

The use of chernozem on heavy loamy and clayey soils is ineffective. The greatest effect can be achieved using black soil on light sandy soil.

If trial digging and trial tree planting holes show that the soil is unsuitable for planting trees, soil improvement should be carried out and soil prepared for filling into the planting holes. Chernozem and humus soils often need the addition of clay and lime: clay will make the soil more cohesive, will contribute to better retention absorbed moisture, while lime helps plants absorb nutrients better. In addition, lime helps to improve the structure of the soil by binding its smallest particles.