Changes in the physical status of the typical and leached chernozems of Kursk oblast within 40 years

Abstract

The changes in the physical properties of the chernozems in the Central Russian province of the forest-steppe zone (Kursk oblast) that took place from 1964 to 2002 are analyzed in relation to the corresponding changes in the agrotechnology, agroeconomy, and agroecology. Three periods of the soil transformation are distinguished. The first period was characterized by the use of machines with relatively small pressure on the soil and by the dynamic equilibrium between the physical state of the soils and the processes of the humification-mineralization of the soil organic matter. The use of power-intensive machines in the next period resulted in greater soil compaction with negative changes in the soil physical properties. At the same time, the physical properties of the chernozems remained close to optimum on the fields where heavy machines were not used. The third period was characterized by the use of heavy machines and by the decrease in the rates of the organic and mineral fertilizers and certain disturbances in the crop rotation systems because of the economic difficulties. The negative tendencies of the changes in the soil physical properties observed during the preceding period continued.