Search

This paper is a result of many years of field and laboratory research of the soils in Pčinja river basin, North Macedonia, spread out on 237.640,71 ha ranging from 191 to 1664 m above the sea level in order to gain a better understanding of the productive capacities of the soils and measures for their improvement. The catchment area of Pčinja River is a spatial area that extends in two states in the of the Republic of North Macedonia and the part of the Republic of Serbia, whose boundaries are naturally clearly defined. Soil samples were taken by spade and one composite sample was prepared for each sampling site, each containing about 3 kg of soil. Before sieving the samples were air dried. In laboratory, the following analyses have been carried out on the soil samples: hygroscopic moisture, mechanical composition, pH of the soil solution, humus content and total nitrogen, content of carbonates. The mechanical composition and chemical properties of the soils have been determined by standard methods. This area is very heterogeneous, with numerous relief forms, with different expositions and inclinations, and with great differences of altitude. Additionally, there are several geological formations of a very heterogeneous petrographic-mineralogical composition and climate-vegetation zones. Long-term effects of human involvement should also be noted. The vast diversity of the factors required for soil formation in this area is the reason for the formation of many different soil types as well as the lower taxonomic units. These types of soils are characterized by different properties (chemical, physical, and physical-mechanical, productive). Therefore, they have varied effects on agricultural production. There are 9 different soil types and 18 complexes of more than two land types distributed in the Pčinja River basin together with a considerable amount of subtypes, varieties and forms. The most represented with the largest area are: Vertisol, Fluvisol, Fluvisol (Colluvial Soils) and Cambisol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a result of many years of field and laboratory research of the soils in Crna River Basin, spread out on 497 514,81 ha, with the altitudes ranging from 150 to 2601 m above sea level with the main goal of gaining better understanding of the productive capacities of soils and soil conservation measures for their improvement. The catchment area of the Crna River is a spatial area that extends in two states in the southwest of the Republic of North Macedonia and the northern part of the Republic of Greece. The filed research of the soils and preparation of soil samples has been done according to ISO 10381-1 and ISO 10381-2 protocols. Soil samples were analysed in the laboratory: hygroscopic moisture; mechanical composition; pH of the soil solution; humus content and total nitrogen; content of carbonates; available nutrients P2O5 and K2O. The mechanical composition and chemical properties of the soils were determined by standard methods. Physical-geographical conditions of the studied area are heterogeneous, with numerous relief forms; different expositions and inclinations, and with great differences of altitude. There are several geological formations of a very heterogeneous petrographic-mineralogical composition and climate-vegetation zones. Long-term effects of human participation should also be noted. The vast diversity of the factors required for soil formation in the catchment area of the Crna River are the reason for the formation of many different soil types as well as the lower taxonomic units. There are 14 (fourteen) different soil types distributed in the Crna River Basin together with a considerable amount of subtypes, varieties and forms. The most significant soil types are: Fluvisol and Cambisol. These types of soils are characterized by different properties (chemical, physical, physical-mechanical and productive). Therefore, they have varied effects on agricultural production (field crop, viticulture and fruit production). The aim of this research was to present combined measures of soil conservation for soils from mountain terrains, lake terraces and undulating-hilly terrains, including from sloping terrains and from plain terrains, based on the research that was implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to protect the environment and natural resources for energy production, in the world are increasingly advocating the use of unconventional or alternative energy sources. One of the necessary usages of alternative energy source is geothermal energy, generated in the Earth's crust slow decay of radioactive elements, chemical reactions, or friction in the movement of tectonic masses. The amount of this energy is so great that it can be considered almost inexhaustible, and thus geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy. This type of energy has many advantages over traditional sources of energy based on fossil fuels, and most are as clean and safe for the environment. In addition, geothermal energy is virtually inexhaustible. The simplest and most promising way of utilizing geothermal energy in direct use of heat for various purposes in tourism, agriculture, industry and communal heating. Use may be alone or in combination. Can be combined with other (conventional) methods of heat production or the production of electric energy from geothermal sources. World capacities for the direct use of geothermal energy are estimated at 15 GWt installed capacity and 191 PJ of heat used per year. Direct application in agriculture is the largest for heating greenhouses, barns and other farm buildings, for use in kilns and ponds where termelni source close. Each region has its own characteristics, depending not only on the geothermal potential but also on many other factors. The paper reviews the technological possibilities of geothermal energy in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]