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Pinus sylvestris L. is a widely used tree in landscaping, and therefore, its high-quality planting material is most relevant in Kazakhstan. The recent study evaluated the effects of the various biological preparations on the physiological growth of the P. sylvestris L. seedlings in the ordinary chernozem of Northern Kazakhstan. The study used several methods for evaluation, i.e., sowing and planting, measurements, data compilation, formulation, and analysis, and recommended computer software. In 2022, sowing 20 kg seeds of P. sylvestris ensued on a 0.4 ha area. For the agrochemical assessment of the experimental site, soil samples collected underwent a chemical composition analysis. The morphological parameters of the upper and lower parts of the seedlings also reached identification. Concerning the indicators of agrochemical assessment of the soil after using biological preparations, i.e., Agrarka (1.5%) and Agro-MIX (10%), the sum of macronutrients and exchangeable calcium and magnesium was high. The results also showed that the average number of seedlings incurred enhancements using the Agro-MIX (10%). Therefore, Agrarka and Agro-MIX can be helpful in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators in growing planting material for tree and shrub species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of intensive and reduced tillage, fertilization, and irrigation on soil chemical and microbiological parameters were studied in a long-term field experiment in Hungary. The treatments were plowing tillage, ripper tillage, strip tillage; control (without fertilization), NPK fertilization (N: 160 kg/ha; P: 26 kg/ha; K: 74 kg/ha); and non-irrigation and irrigation. Soil samples were collected through maize monoculture in the fall of 2021 in the 30th year of the experiment. The soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil microbial biomass (based on PLFA analysis), and soil enzyme activity were observed to be significantly high in the strip tillage plots, but were lower in the ripper tillage plots, and even lower in the plowing tillage plots. The fungal, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungal, and bacterial biomasses were significantly higher in the strip tillage and ripper tillage plots compared to the plowing tillage plots. The strip tillage treatment was found to be the most favorable cultivation method for improving the microbial biomass and activity of Chernozem soil, followed by the ripper tillage and plowing tillage treatments. The long-term use of chemical fertilizers greatly reduced the soil microbial biomass and negatively impacted the soil microbial community, leading to a decrease in fungi and Gram-negative bacteria. The ratio of cyclopropyl PLFA precursors to cyclopropyl PLFAs, as a "stress factor", indicated the most stressful bacterial environment was that found in the fertilized, non-irrigated plowed soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reclaiming derelict mine land is good for the environment, good for public health, and good for agricultural production. Technologies to optimise soil fertility and crop yields with the least time, cost and damage to the environment have been developed in the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovs'k region which has been extensively strip-mined for manganese and, in some places, restored by replacement of the overburden. Perennial legume-grass mixtures recreate fertile soil, not only in reconstituted chernozem but, also, in raw overburden materials. Different materials respond at different rates but over the longer term (50 years), legume-grass mixtures continue to improve soil physical, chemical and biological attributes. The lessons learned are equally applicable to reclamation of war-torn land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial from the International Journal of Environmental Studies titled "Editorial: Monograph: Rebuilding, Infrastructure & Cultural Heritage of Ukraine." It discusses the devastating impact of the war between Ukraine and Russia on the country's population, culture, infrastructure, and environment. The editorial highlights the destruction of cultural heritage, the loss of lives of Ukrainian writers and cultural leaders, and the need for psychological support to prevent the transmission of trauma to future generations. It also explores the challenges of rebuilding Ukraine's cities, the potential for renewable energy sources, the environmental consequences of the war, and the importance of regenerative agriculture in combating global heating and preserving the water cycle. The document emphasizes the urgent need for international support and investment in Ukraine's recovery efforts. The given text discusses various environmental issues in Ukraine, particularly those related to war and conflict. It highlights the impact of war on nitrogen and sulfur deposition in the Dniester catchment, as well as the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and its effects on water resources. The text also addresses the loss of fisheries and the decrease in soil fertility due to human activities. Additionally, it explores the potential solutions for these issues, such as conservation agriculture and the use of sewage sludge for crop growth. The text concludes by emphasizing the need to address the environmental consequences of war and protect Ukraine's flora and fauna. [Extracted from the article]

Ukraine is an untapped asset. It presents opportunities both nationally and for Europe as an engine of foreign policy in a century troubled by climate change and resources scarcity. Its 32 million ha of arable could easily become 40 million ha which would add 25% of new cropland to the European Union – from 160 million to 200 million ha – making Europe the world's largest agricultural producer. And 65% of Ukraine is Chernozem: the best soil in the world for the arable crops that are crucial to water-short economies in Africa, the Middle East and Asia and, moreover, mainstay of the global corporate food regime. 'Wheat is the currency of currencies'. Although most global breadbaskets are closed or constrained by climate change, Ukraine is an empty country endowed with fertile soil. Clever investment in AI-driven, post-human farming could create a new future: in any case, the minefields and war damage offer no alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chernozem soils occupу 65% of Ukraine's cropland. They are the gold standard of soils thanks to their physical, chemical and biological attributes, the thickness of their topsoil, and their legendary fertility. But these qualities have been degraded under the plough; for instance, the content of organic matter is now only about 20% of what it was in Dokuchaev's day. The further destruction of war poses a direct threat to food security at home and abroad. Restoring the fertility of the chernozem is a key to achieving a more sustainable agricultural system and adapting to climate change. We present recommendations and sustainable management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at reflecting on ways of teaching/learning international relations (IR) critical theories. It does so by analyzing the results of a teaching/learning exercise based on Netflix's series "Black Earth Rising" and put into practice with undergraduate students of a course on IR theory taught at the Argentinian Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Assuming that series of mass consumption work as cultural devices that inform power relations through the production of truths and subjectivities, the exercise had two main objectives: on the one hand, to develop and illustrate otherwise difficult-to-grasp concepts of IR theory and, on the other hand, to make the students aware of how widespread TV series participate in the constitution of both international politics and their own subjectivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilisation with ash from biomass combustion has a positive effect on the quality of nutrients in agrifood raw materials, improving their chemical composition and bioavailability. In the experiments carried out, the protein content and the profile of free amino acids in barley flour were examined from cultivation fertilised with biomass ash at various doses. Barley flour from Haplic Luvisol soil was characterised by a significantly higher (by 13.8% on average) total protein content compared to flour obtained from grains from Gleyic Chernozem soil. The highest protein content but a low content of free amino acids were found in the grains of plants fertilised with the mineral NPK (D1). An increase in the total pool of free amino acids in flour was observed, especially in the case of Haplic Luvisol soil. On average, after fertilising, significantly more ASP, ASN, GLU, GLY, ALA, and CYS were obtained in variant D4 (1.5 t·ha−1), and there were also significantly more TAU and GABA than in the control, up by 30.2% and 23%, respectively. A beneficial effect of fertilisation on the essential amino acid content in barley flour was found, but only up to the dose of D4, when it was significantly higher than in the control and under mineral fertilising (D1), up by 23.7% and 9.2%, respectively. High ash doses reduced the content of free amino acids in the tested barley flour. This study confirmed that using an alternative method of fertilising with plant biomass ash has a beneficial effect on protein quality and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of three years of research on the effectiveness of the influence of the biological product Phytohelp, mineral fertiliser Drip Fert N15P5K30+ME and bioadhesive Liposam on the structure of the winter garlic yield of the Lyubasha variety under drip irrigation. The relevance of the research is due to the search for new approaches to the development of technological methods for growing winter garlic, taking into account the specific conditions of unstable moisture in the Forest-Steppe. The purpose of the article is to establish the optimal doses and the ratio between them to achieve an increase in the quality and yield of winter garlic. The study was conducted on the experimental field of the Department of Vegetable Growing of the National Assessed Contribution of Ukraine of the Uman National University of Horticulture on podzolised heavy loamy black soil in 2017-2019. As a result, it was proved that in the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on podzolic chernozem under drip irrigation, a higher yield was obtained in plots with the combined use of the biological product Phytohelp at a rate of 1-2 l/ha, mineral fertiliser Drip Fert N15P5K30+МЕ and bioadhesive Liposam at a rate of 1 l/ha. This resulted in an increase of 9.0-10.6 t/ha compared to the control variant, respectively. Using the biopreparation Phytohelp and bioadhesive Liposam at a rate of 2/1 and 1/1 l/ha, a yield of 16.6-17.1 t/ha was obtained, where the increase to the control was 7.7-8.2 t/ha. The effect of foliar fertilisation with Drip Fert N15P5K30+ME (4 g/2 l of water or 0.5 c/ha) on the yield of winter garlic was determined. The increase to the control was 1.6%. The results of this study may be useful for agricultural enterprises and farmers who grow garlic and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This extensive 10-year study conducted in Northern Kazakhstan investigates the intricate relationship between soil management techniques, crop rotations, and soil organic matter (SOM) content in Chernozem soils, an essential agricultural resource in the region. The experiments were established at the Karabalyk Agricultural Experimental Station, characterized by a arid continental climate. The study systematically examined the impact of two primary soil management techniques, conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT), in combination with various crop rotations. The crop rotations tested included grain-fallow rotations, fruit-exchange crop rotations, and an eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation. The results provide valuable insights into the sustainable management of Chernozem soils in arid conditions, underscoring the role of crop rotation strategies in preserving SOM content. The findings reveal that among the crop rotations tested, the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation exhibited the most favorable outcomes for SOM preservation. This rotation helped maintain relatively stable SOM levels over the 10-year study period, contributing to soil health and fertility. In the context of the region's arid climate, the choice of soil management technique (CT or NT) had a limited impact on SOM content. The stability of SOM levels across diverse crop rotations and years highlights the dominant influence of crop management practices in this distinctive agricultural environment. This research serves as a valuable reference for tailored approaches to ensure soil health and organic matter preservation in the unique conditions of Northern Kazakhstan. It promotes the adoption of diversified crop rotations, with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation, as a powerful strategy to mitigate organic matter loss, enhance soil quality, and optimize soil fertility in arid agricultural landscapes. The insights gained from this study are vital for sustainable land management in the region and underscore the importance of region-specific, holistic investigations to guide effective agricultural practices. The findings offer a solid foundation for the development of strategies that address soil health and safeguard the integrity of essential soil resources in these unique environments. The study conducted at the Karabalyk Agricultural Experimental Station in Northern Kazakhstan between 2011 and 2021 provides critical insights into the relationship between soil management techniques, crop rotations, and SOM content in Chernozem soils. The research suggests that diversified crop rotations, particularly the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation, represent a promising approach for mitigating organic matter loss and enhancing soil quality in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed three genotypes of industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., under the aspect of fiber productivity indices in relation to plant parameters. The study took place in ARDS Lovrin, Romania. The genotypes Silvana (control), Teodora and Lv-300 were evaluated. The experiment took place under the conditions of a chernozem type soil, non-irrigated system. Several parameters and indexes were analyzed: total plant weight (TPW), stem length (SL), inflorescence length (IL), technical length (TL), middle stem diameter (MSD), dry sample weight (DSW), dry fiber content (DFC), pure fiber weight (PFW), and technical fiber (TF). The DFC index showed positive correlations with SL (r=0.708***), with MSD (r=0.712***), with DSW (r=0.739***), with TPW (r=0.546**), and with TL (r=0.399*). The PFW index showed negative correlations with TPW (r=-0.493**) and with DSW (r=- 0.373*). Technical fiber (TF) showed very strong, positive correlations with PFW (r=0.999***) and negative correlations with other parameters (e.g. with TPW, r=-0.493**, with DSW, r=-0.373*). From the comparative analysis of Teodora in relation to Silvana, average values TFT=31.355 (Teodora) and TFS=28.388 (Silvana) resulted, and the differences showed statistical certainty (t=2.5948, with p=0.013; U=72, p=0.0045; p<0.05). From the comparative analysis of Lv-300 in relation to Silvana (control), mean values TFT=29.357 (Lv-300) and TFS=28.388 (Silvana) resulted, but the differences did not show statistical certainty (t=0.763, with p=0.451; U=117, p=0.158; p>0.05). The regression analysis led to equations and graphic models that described the variation of fiber productivity indices in relation to plant biometric parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study comparatively analyzed the productivity level of 48 commercial sunflower hybrids, under the specific crops conditions of the Western Plain of Romania. The field experiment took place within ARDS Lovrin, agricultural year 2021-2022. 27 hybrids from the Imazamox class (IH; IH1 to IH27) and 21 hybrids from the Tribenuron Methyl class (TMH; TMH1 to TMH21) were cultivated. The cultivation of the 48 hybrids was carried out under the conditions of a chernozem type soil, and non-irrigated system. In the case of Imazamox class hybrids (IH), the production varied between 2012.47 kg ha-1 (IH4) and 3,545.08 kg ha-1 (IH1, and IH23). In the case of hybrids from the Tribenuron Methyl class (TMH), production varied between 2,437.64 kg ha-1 (TMH17) and 3,713.15 kg ha-1 (TMH4, and TMH19). Based on the production data recorded for each hybrid, the average value was calculated for each class of hybrids (IH-Avg=3,038.13 kg ha-1, TMH-Avg=3,287.98 kg ha-1). In order to verify whether there are differences between the two groups IH (N=27) and TMH (N=21) regarding the recorded production, the Null Hypothesis (H0) was defined. The application of the t-test for Equality of Means, led to the value of t=2.302 with p=0.02. Additionally, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was applied. The U=180 value with p=0.03 also indicated significantly different productions between the related series of the two classes of hybrids. The increase in production (kg ha-1, %) was calculated for each class of hybrids (ΔIH, ΔTMH) and a classification was made within each class. The cluster analysis facilitated the clustering of sunflower hybrids in relation to the recorded production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The saturation of sugar beet rotations under different fertilizer application systems and long-term cultivation induces significant changes in soil properties, leading to decreases in humus content, mineral nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The study was conducted in a stationary multifactorial experiment in grain-beet crop rotations: crop rotation, row-crop, and grain-row crop rotations with the application of 40 t/ha of manure under sugar beets + NPK 100:90:90 and a variant without fertilizers. The paper presents the results of monitoring changes in humus content during each rotation, reduction of humus reserves in the plow layer, and physicochemical and agrochemical soil indicators. In the variants without fertilizers, we observed 0.24–0.41% decline in humus content in all crop rotations during 3 rotations of ten-field crop rotations (30 years). Overall, there occurred 0.89–1.00% decrease over 50 years of anthropogenic influence, equivalent to 31.8–35.7 t/ha, or 23.1–26.1% of initial reserves per hectare. Despite application of 40 t/ha of manure + NPK 100:90:90 under sugar beets, humus loss was 27.5 t/ha in the row-crop rotation and 16.8 t/ha in the grain-row crop rotation. Fertilizer application led to increase in exchangeable and hydrolytic soil acidity. With the application of 6.7 t/ha of manure + NPK 53:42:42 per 1 ha of crop rotation area, there was a tendency towards increase in mineral nitrogen content, mobile phosphorus doubled to 280.1–302.8 mg/kg compared to the variant without fertilizers, and exchangeable potassium decreased regardless of the fertilization system, which was associated with its utilization by plants. Sugar-beet yield increased to 44.76 t/ha in the crop-rotation under the organo-mineral-fertilizer application system, exceeding the spring wheat rotation by 4.63 t/ha and the variants without fertilizers by 2.45–2.72 times. Therefore, the modern fertilizer application system under sugar beets did not ensure stabilization of humus content in the soil and increased its acidity. It is necessary to more broadly use cover crops in crop rotations, incorporate crop residues, and apply biological preparations to improve soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil's sequestration capacity is primarily determined by the fine-dispersed fraction of the soil and strongly influences the properties and fertility level of the soil. To assess the sequestration capacity of C-CO2 humus in soil formation and fertility of typical chornozem (black soil), to identify the causes, rates, existing limits of the sequestration capacity decrease, it is important to study the seasonal dynamics of qualitative and quantitative indicators of humus state in time depending on the method of tillage and fertilization in agrocenoses of short rotation crop rotations in the central part of the Forest-Steppe region of Ukraine. During the research, a stationary field experiment was conducted to study the influence of methods of soil cultivation and fertilizer application on the sequestering capacity of chornozem. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the content of humus and to calculate the seasonal reserves of absorbed carbon and phosphorus and to model the absorption capacity of chernozem. When processing with chisel plows and applying fertilizers, the increase in the C-CO2 reserve during the April-July period was +21 t ha-1 (0-0.2 m) and +36 t ha-1a (0-0.3 m). Under moldboard plowing, the growth tended to increase by 1.52 times (0-0.2 m) and 1.25 times (0-0.3 m), but occurred at a lower quantitative level, and in the period July-September, the change in the humus C-CO2 stock was insignificant, indicating the predominance of C-CO2 sequestration processes in the summer-autumn period with chisel plowing. With chisel plowing, the reserve of labile organic substances (LOS) in April exceeded the stock for plowing in the thickness of 0-0.3 m by 4.34-7.67 times (without fertilizers), 1.5-2.76 times (with fertilizers); in July - by 4.59-8.90 times (without fertilizers) and 1.32-3.16 times (with fertilizers); in September - by 4.52-4.04 times (without fertilizers) and by 1.11-1.93 times (with fertilizers), and the C-CO2 stock of the LOS compared to fallow land under chisel plowing without fertilizers in April, July, and September was 1.59-1.78 times, 2.31-3.29 times, and 1.4-1.78 times higher, and under fertilization - by 1.99-2.0, 1.86-4.50, and 1.7-2.6 times, respectively, depending on the seasons. Under fallow land maintenance, the seasonal dynamics of the C-CO2 stock of the LOS is subject to the seasonal dynamics of Porg(LOS). A direct strong correlation was found at the level of R = +0.89 ± 0.02; R2 = 79. In the period April-July, the decrease of Porg(LOS) stock in the thickness of 0-0.2 m was found to be 1.15 times, and in the thickness of 0-0.3 m - 1.1 times. From summer to autumn, the stock of Porg(LOS) was restored, and the stock in the thickness of 0-0.3 m increased by 1.10 times. Conclusions. Trends in C-CO2 stocks of humus and LOS indicate that in the series plowing-chiseling-fallow land, the cyclicality index under chisel plowing was closer to the value of the seasonal cyclicality of fallow land than the seasonal cyclicality under plowing, which indicates the restoration of the CI. Trends in CCO2 stocks of humus and LOS indicate that in the series plowing-chiseling-fallow, the index of cyclicality under chisel plowing was closer to the value of the seasonal cyclicality of fallow land than the seasonal cyclicality of plowing, which indicates the restoration of the ISC. However, the timing of changes in the Porg(LOS) stock indicates that in the series plowing-chiseling-fallow, chisel plowing is directed to fallow land by its seasonal cyclicality. The general regularity of seasonal cyclicality for all parameters of humus condition lies in the fact that a decrease in the values of ISC, as in fallow land or under moldboardless tillage, indicates the ordering of ISC, and an increase in the index of cyclicality to destruction, as under plowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of state agroecological monitoring of soils conducted in the southwestern part of the forest–steppe zone of the Central Chernozem Region are analyzed. It was found that in the Aar layer of the arable chernozem in a typical forest–steppe zone of the Central Chernozem Region, the mean total contents of As and Hg are 4.18 and 0.022 mg/kg, respectively. In the parent rock (C), the content of As is 1.38 times higher, and Hg is 2.22 times lower than in the Aar layer. Organic fertilizers are the main source of As and Hg in the agroecosystems of the Belgorod region, but this does not pose a danger to soil pollution or crop production. The highest mean As content (0.020 mg/kg) was found in winter wheat, peas, and sunflower seeds, and the lowest (0.016 mg/kg) was in corn and soybeans. The highest Hg content was found in barley (0.006 mg/kg) and winter wheat (0.007 mg/kg), while the lowest content of this element (0.002 mg/kg) was found in sainfoin hay. No evidence of exceeding the maximum allowable concentration of As and Hg in food grains and the maximum allowable level in feed products was revealed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Niutitang Formation in the South China Block might be a source of hydrocarbon as it contains an enormous quantity of organic matter. Black rock of the Early Cambrian Niutitang Formation is widely distributed in the Yangtze region, but detailed geochemical understanding of it is still emerging. This research discusses the detailed geochemical characteristics of the Niutitang Formation to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions, employing total organic carbon (TOC) content, major, trace, and rare earth element data. For this purpose, black rock specimens of the Niutitang Formation from two outcrop sections were utilized for geochemical characterization, and the results compared with another eight sections from the South China Block. The average total organic carbon in these sediments is significantly higher (5.80 wt.%). In the platform region, lower quantities of TOC indicate a poor potential to produce hydrocarbons. At the same time, significantly higher TOC is observed in the deep shelf and slope sediments, indicating a significant potential to produce hydrocarbons. The average Ce, Eu and Y anomalies from both Longbizui and Sancha sections studied are 0.74, 0.86, 1.77, 1.07, and 1.19, 1.30, respectively. The chemical index of alteration (CAI) throughout the Yangtze block is higher (averaging 71.32) than that of Post Archean Australian Shale (PAAS 69), indicating a moderately weathered source of the Niutitang Formation relative to PAAS. As the sediments are moderately weathered, this suggests these rocks might have been derived from felsic rocks, mainly granite-granodiorite. The normalization of REEs in the black rocks reveals a reduction of light REEs with increase in heavy REEs enrichment. Similarly, a positive Eu anomaly, negative Ce anomaly, and a moderate Y/Ho (34.61) are clues to a hybrid depositional mechanism associated with hydrothermal action and terrigenous input. These anomalies are also evidence of upwelling in the paleo-ocean and mixing of organic matter, which created anoxic bottom water during the deposition of the Niutitang Formation in the basin and upper oxic water conditions before deposition. The main controlling factors for the distribution of rare earth elements in these black rocks of the Niutitang Formation are pH, terrigenous input, source rock composition, tectonism, an upwelling mechanism, and hydrothermal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing new forage crops such as Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change in the dry steppe zone, expanding forage crop options, and obtaining nutritious feed for the development of animal husbandry. The aim of this study was to assess the productivity and feed value of these crops. Field experiments were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to investigate the changes and variations in the yields and chemical compositions of Japanese millet and pearl millet when grown as sole crops or in mixed cropping in the dry steppe zone of northern Kazakhstan. Among the annual crops sown via sole cropping, the hay of the Japanese millet, sown in the third decade of May and harvested during full heading, was observed to have a higher content of raw protein and other nutrients than Sudanese grass hay, that is, the raw protein content was higher at 1.81%, the raw oil content at 0.12, and the raw ash content at 1.88%. In addition, among the mixtures of crops, the hay of the crop mixtures containing pearl millet, sown in the above period and harvested as hay during the milky stage, the full heading stage, and the formation of spikelets in the grain family stage, differed from the hay of Sudanese grass sown in the same period and collected during full heading in terms of the contents of raw protein and other nutrients and the low content of raw ash, that is, the content of raw protein was at 2.16%, raw oil at 0.39, raw ash at 0.95, without nitrogen extractives (WNEs) at 3.78, and starch at 0.11. The calcium content was higher by 0.08% and carotene by 0.11 mg/kg, and raw lentils were lower by 0.94%. The analysis of the results revealed that the variation in the crops' phenological phases depended on the moisture availability and the sowing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eurasian forest-steppes form a 9000-km-long transitional zone between temperate forests and steppes, featuring a complex mosaic of herbaceous and woody habitats. Due to its heterogeneity regarding climate, topography and vegetation, the forest-steppe zone has been divided into several regions. However, a continental-scale empirical delineation of the zone and its regions was missing until recently. Finally, a map has been proposed by Erdős et al. based on floristic composition, physiognomy, relief, and climate. By conducting predictive distribution modeling and hierarchical clustering, here we compared this expert delineation with the solely macroclimate-based predictions and clusters. By assessing the discrepancies, we located the areas where refinement of the delineation or the inclusion of non-macroclimatic predictors should be considered. Also, we identified the most important variables for predicting the existence of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone and its regions. The predicted probability of forest-steppe occurrence showed a very high agreement with the expert delineation. The previous delineation of the West Siberia region was confirmed by our results, while that of the Inner Asia region was the one least confirmed by the macroclimate-based model predictions. The appropriate delineation of the Southeast Europe region from the East Europe region should be refined by further research, and splitting the Far East region into a southern and northern subregion should also be considered. The main macroclimatic predictors of the potential distribution of the zone and its regions were potential evapotranspiration (zone and regions), annual mean temperature (regions), precipitation of driest quarter (regions) and precipitation of warmest quarter (zone), but the importance of climatic variables for prediction showed great variability among the fitted predictive distribution models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of how the involvement of soils in agricultural turnover affects soil microbiocenosis has been attained. The aims of this study were to investigate the number of the main groups of microorganisms in microbial complexes, the carbon of microbial biomass and the enzymatic activity in permafrost soils under the influence of tillage. The presented data can provide an insight into the stability of the microbiome in region's soils under agricultural influence. The significance of the study lies in obtaining new data on the microbiocenosis of permafrost soils, which will make it possible to reveal the orientation and intensity of microbiological processes during their agricultural use. The study uses the classical methods used in soil science and soil microbiology, which are characterized by accuracy and reliability. The general characteristics of the microbiocenosis of different types of the studied region's soils have been revealed. The quantity of bacteria, including actinomycetes and fungi, in the studied soils was determined. The variability of indicators in time and space is shown. The number of bacteria was revealed to reach its maximum in the autumn period in grey forest non-podzolised soils, and the indicator decreases in the following manner: forest—10.6 billion cells/g, arable land—5.1 billion cells/g, virgin land—2.6 billion cells/g. The lowest indicator of bacterial abundance—0.5 billion cells/g was found on arable permafrost meadow chernozemic soil. A comparatively low bacterial content is characteristic of chernozem meal-carbonated: 1.9 billion cells/g on virgin land and 2.1 billion cells/g on arable land. The length of actinomycete mycelium is dynamic according to the seasons of the year. The maximum length of actinomycete mycelium was observed in grey forest non-podzolised soil (forest) in the autumn period—830 m/g. The maximum length of fungal mycelium was also observed in grey forest non-podzolised soil (forest) in autumn—1200 m/g. In arable variants, the length of fungal mycelium is high in grey forest non-podzolised soils and meadow permafrost soils. In chernozems and permafrost meadow chernozemic soils (virgin and arable) the index is much lower. Assessment of catalase activity showed that the studied soils are poor or moderately enriched in this enzyme. Relatively high invertase activity was found in all variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eurasian forest-steppes form a 9000-km-long transitional zone between temperate forests and steppes, featuring a complex mosaic of herbaceous and woody habitats. Due to its heterogeneity regarding climate, topography and vegetation, the forest-steppe zone has been divided into several regions. However, a continental-scale empirical delineation of the zone and its regions was missing until recently. Finally, a map has been proposed by Erdős et al. based on floristic composition, physiognomy, relief, and climate. By conducting predictive distribution modeling and hierarchical clustering, here we compared this expert delineation with the solely macroclimate-based predictions and clusters. By assessing the discrepancies, we located the areas where refinement of the delineation or the inclusion of non-macroclimatic predictors should be considered. Also, we identified the most important variables for predicting the existence of the Eurasian forest-steppe zone and its regions. The predicted probability of forest-steppe occurrence showed a very high agreement with the expert delineation. The previous delineation of the West Siberia region was confirmed by our results, while that of the Inner Asia region was the one least confirmed by the macroclimate-based model predictions. The appropriate delineation of the Southeast Europe region from the East Europe region should be refined by further research, and splitting the Far East region into a southern and northern subregion should also be considered. The main macroclimatic predictors of the potential distribution of the zone and its regions were potential evapotranspiration (zone and regions), annual mean temperature (regions), precipitation of driest quarter (regions) and precipitation of warmest quarter (zone), but the importance of climatic variables for prediction showed great variability among the fitted predictive distribution models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research evaluates the influence of mineral fertilizers on structural components and the formation of productivity of various Lens culinaris varieties on dark chestnut soils of the dry-steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan. The application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the doses up to P120 (P2O5 25-30 ppm) and N30-60 against the background of P90 (N-NO3 12-17 ppm) with a phosphorus content of 11-15 ppm and nitrogen 7-9 ppm at the control plots contributed to the formation of the highest yield of lentils' varieties "Krapinka", "Vekhovskaya", and "Viceroy" up to 1.44 t/ha, 1.89 t/ha, and 1.92 t/ha respectively. The increase in yield is due to an increase in the number of formed beans (up to 18.2-26.0 pcs) and the weight of seeds per plant (up to 1.04-1.23 g), which is confirmed by correlation analyses (R = 0.91; R = 0.96). The yield relationship with the number of branches is medium (R = 0.72) and with a mass of 1000 seeds from medium to high (strong) (R = 0.70-0.87). The mass of 1000 seeds is the most stable indicator of variation among the structural components of yield, regardless of the background of mineral nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecuador is one of the main balsa wood marketers, thanks to its subtropical zone which presents optimal geographical and climatic conditions that benefit its development. The balsa, O. pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb., is a species native to the American tropics; It is frequently found in disturbed and degraded areas. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of five substrates on the propagation of Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb. seedlings in the Paján canton, province of Manabí. The research was carried out in the field from September to December 2020 in the Paján canton on the "LA RAQUELITA" Farm owned by Mr. Euclides Plaza, located at Km. 4 via Colimes, between the Geographic Coordinates 80°25'12" of west longitude and 01°34'12" south latitude, an altitude of 200 meters above sea level. The ecological zone is a very dry tropical forest type (bmsT), characterized by an average daily temperature of 25 °C, receives average annual rainfall of 1626 mm, with a pH of 7, relative humidity 86% and 1146.6 hours of sunshine per day. anus. The treatments under study were T1 Black earth 100% (Control), T2 (Black earth 75%, sand 25%), T3 (Black earth 50%, sand 25%, humus 25%), T4 (Black earth, 33%, sand 33%, humus 33%) and T5 (black earth 50%, humus 50%), the results indicate that the substrate made up of black earth 50%, humus 50% allows for better results in the propagation of Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb. in nursery stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The article presents the results of studies that allow us to calculate and predict the water consumption of cultivated vegetable crops depending on the moisture availability of the growing season. Hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season have a significant impact on the irrigation regime and water consumption of cultivated crops. Methods: In the present study, the assessment of natural moisture during the growing season was determined by the hydrothermal coefficient (GTC) according to the criterion of T.G. Selyaninov. The irrigation rate was calculated according to the modified formula of A.N. Kostyakov. Biological productivity was taken into account by the method of meter sites in three-fold repetition. Result: The value of the irrigation norm varies depending on the intensity of atmospheric droughts when growing potatoes in the conditions of the dry-steppe zone of the Lower Volga region. To maintain a given pre-irrigation threshold of soil moisture, it is necessary to take into account the hydrothermal indicators of the territory during the entire growing season. The use of modern resource-saving irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, makes it possible to ensure an uninterrupted supply of moisture to plants and, as a result, to obtain high-quality crop yields. Thus, to obtain high and stable yields of potatoes grown on drip irrigation, depending on the heat and moisture availability of the growing season, it took from 2,250 to 3,040 m3/ha of irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the conditions of southern Romania, on a chernozem type soil, without irrigation, for 3 years, 2 isogenic lines of wheat, M1 and M2, with different biological yield potential were analyzed. The analyzed factors were: Nitrogen fertilization doses, Phosphorus fertilization doses and sowing density. Concerning the influence of nitrogen on yield, all calculated average values differ significantly from each other, both for M1 and for M2, the highest average values being recorded at a dose of N150 kg a.s./ha. Regarding the influence of phosphorus on seed yield, both for M1 and M2, no significant differences are recorded between the two averages values calculated for the analyzed graduations. Related to the influence of density on seed yield, the average value recorded at 700 g.s./m², records significant differences compared to the value averages recorded at the density of 500 g.s./m², between the value averages recorded on 600 g.s./m² and the other value averages, no statistically differences being recorded. Concerning the trend models between Nitrogen doses and wheat yield, all the models are mathematically correct, what differs is the regression coefficient. The regression coefficient is higher under phosphorus fertilization and on high sowing density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to determine possible local differences between the parent materials of recent leoss-derived soils in eastern Croatia (Dalj, Zmajevac). Furthermore, it highlights the existence of chernozem and chernozem-like soils in Croatia and describes their basic physical, chemical and mineral properties. For this purpose, two soil profiles (P-3 and P-6) south of the Dalj settlement and one soil profile (P-10) nearthe Zmajevac settlement wereexcavated. The investigation included a detailed pedological analysis, a modal analysis of the heavy and lightmineral fraction and a mineralogical analysis of bulk samples (the < 2 mm fraction) and the fraction < 2 pm. By comparing the obtained results with the criteria of the Croatian Soil Classification and the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, the soil profiles P-3 and P-6 can be defined as Chernozem on Loess or Hortic Calcic Chernozem (Epiloamic, Endosiltic, Arie, Humic). The systematic unit for profile P-10 was defined as Rendzina according to the Croatian Soil Classification or Calcic Chernozem (SiRic) according to the WRB. Based on the results of the pedological analysis of the soil profile horizons, a gradual degradation of the chernozem was observed as a result of anthropogenic influence, but also due to recent climate change. The degradation is particularly evident in the form of a reduction in organic matter and the relocation of carbonates from the surface to deeper zones. Due to the increasing degree of weathering caused by recent climate changes, some differences in the mineralogical composition of the studied soils were also observed. The progressive degradation of the chernozem due to the effects of recent weathering processes is indicated mainly by the presence of goethite in the fraction < 2 pm as a weathering product of iron minerals (magnetite, pyroxenes...). Although the parent material ofall three profiles is loess sediments, the reason why the soil material of profile P-10 has not developed a chernic horizon is the constant contribution of aeolian material and a short period of exposure to pedogenetic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proso millet is an important allotetraploid cereal crop; however, it is the least studied species of the Poaceae family, as it is an under-utilized crop. Genomic resources for proso millet are very limited compared to major crops. An understanding of the genetic relationships among germplasm resources is important for future breeding endeavors. In the present study, simplesequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to assess the polymorphism and genetic diversity of 100 millet accessions from different countries, which were tested in the dry steppe zone conditions of the Akmola region from 2020 to 2022. The use of 20 SSR markers detected a total of 47 alleles, with an average allele number of 2.35 per locus among these proso accessions. Nine of them were polymorphic among the genotypes, which suggests that these SSR markers can be used for genetic studies. The results showed a moderate level of polymorphism information content (PIC) that averaged at 0.424, ranging from 0.125 to 0.795. The markers SSR-67, SSR-82, SSR-85 and SSR-109 showed high PIC values of 0.536, 0.756, 0.795 and 0.758, respectively. Markers SSR 85 and SSR 86 significantly correlated to agronomic traits, such as productive tillering (PT) and grain yield (GY). The genetic structure, UPGMA cluster and PCoA assay indicated that the accessions that originated from Central Asia had higher genetic diversity. Based on structure (K = 3), all the accessions were divided into three groups, where the gene pool that originated from Central Asia wasdetected in all three clusters. Based on a principal component analysis (PCA), the accessions of Central Asian origin were genetically closer to the North Asian group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining soil fertility and optimizing land management strategies on a global scale necessitates a comprehensive understanding of soil's physicochemical properties. This study proposes the deployment of remote sensing techniques as a more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective alternative for exploring the properties of chernozem soils and for predicting soil organic matter (SOM) in specific regions of Kyiv, Ukraine. The spectral properties of the chernozem soils were examined by Landsat 5 TM and 8 OLI satellite imagery. A mosaic of the mean spectral reflectance values for the study period (1986-2015) was created on the Google Earth Engine. The construction of the predictive model employed reflectance values across six bands, a range of vegetation indices (RNDSI, NDWI, NDBI, BAEI, MSAVI, and NDVI), topographic data (slope), and climatic parameters (temperature, precipitation, soil moisture) as regressors. The optimal model was subsequently determined using the Forward stepwise method, which is predicated on F-test and Akaike criteria. This model yielded notable metrics of Multiple R = 0.651, R2 = 0.424, and Adjusted R2 = 0.397. The most significant predictors within the model were determined to be RED, NIR, slope, and soil moisture. Upon validation, the model displayed no evidence of heteroscedasticity, multicollinearity, or potential outliers, thereby underscoring its reliability and robustness. The proposed model serves as a valuable tool, offering both reliability and precision in predicting SOM in specific regions of Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the impact of weather and fertilization treatments (Control, PK, NPK1, NPK2, and NPK3) on winter wheat grain yields in a long-term trial in Ivanovice, Czech Republic, established in 1956. A total of 15 seasons were evaluated. The mean, maximal, and minimal temperatures in Ivanovice have been significantly increasing since 1961, with annual increases of 0.04 °C, 0.03 °C, and 0.05 °C, respectively. Precipitation has been decreasing annually by −0.54 mm (trend is insignificant). Four significant correlations between weather and grain yield were recorded. There were positive correlations between mean (r = 0.7) and minimal (r = 0.5) temperatures in November and negative correlations between mean temperatures in May (r = −0.6) and June (r = −0.6). The combination of naturally fertile chernozem soil and a beneficial preceding crop (alfalfa) enables sustainable cultivation of wheat, even without mineral fertilizers. The application of mineral nitrogen (N) significantly increases wheat grain yield and yield stability. Without mineral N or with high doses of mineral N, yield stability decreases. According to two response models (quadratic and quadratic-plateau), a reasonable dose of fertilizer is 107 kg ha−1 N for modern wheat varieties, corresponding to a yield of 8.1 t ha−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the innovative directions of heat treatment of soil in the technologies of decontamination from pesticides, oil products and disinfection is heating in a microwave electromagnetic field. Numerical studies testify to the effectiveness of the microwave treatment method. This is due to the peculiarities of the interaction of the microwave field with dielectric materials. Unique effects arise, such as the possibility of local heating, volume heating of the material, unidirectionality of pressure and humidity gradients. This contributes to the intensification of transfer processes and the possibility of energy savings. However, the challenge at present is to determine the processing regimes, including load mass, specific microwave field power, electric field strength, material layer thickness, and processing time, under which the microwave method will be energy efficient. Conducting multifactorial experimental studies allows determining the conditions of energy feasibility of microwave soil treatment. Therefore, the object of research is the process of heating a dense layer of soil under the action of a microwave electromagnetic field. The results of studies on the effect of microwave treatment of soil contaminated with organophosphorus pesticides, contaminated with petroleum products, and under what conditions the qualitative effect was obtained, as well as the results of the effect of the microwave field on the pathogenic microflora of the soil used for growing plants, were considered. The high quality of implementation of soil treatment technologies is determined. Energy efficiency was determined on the basis of data on temperature and moisture content, analysis of thermograms of microwave heating of chernozem and clay soil, analysis of the influence of material layer thickness, influence of dielectric properties and power of the microwave field. According to the results of thermal calculations, the values of the efficiency of the microwave chamber and the intensity of the electric field were determined, which are recommended as the basis for scaling in order to transfer the experimental results to industrial installations. During the research, specific experimental methods of research under microwave heating conditions, analytical methods of thermal calculations, developed by the authors of the experimental research methodology were used. Experimental studies were carried out on the installation created by the authors. The results of the research are intended for the wide implementation into practice of technological calculations of microwave chambers for heat treatment of soils, intensification of disinfection processes under the conditions of energy efficiency of the transformation of the energy of the microwave field into the internal energy of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active development of the problems related to the assessment of the role of the pedosphere in global climate change involves the possibility of application of the quantitative determination of soil organic carbon (SOC) as one of the indicators of a climatic response. Here, the authors have summarized the results of their own research over many years (1985–2023), comprising more than 500 determinations of SOC within the area of the Chernozem zone, in the south of the East European Plain (Moldova and Bessarabia, southern Ukraine, southwestern Russia), in the context of regional climate differentiation using evaluations of climatic energy consumption for soil formation. The data were structured for each of the regions through the creation of series of agrogenic soil transformations (virgin land, modern-day ploughed land (<100 years), continually ploughed land (>100 years), fallow land of the modern era (n·10 years), and post-antique long-term fallow land). It has been established, by means of statistical treatment of the data, that the intraregional differentiation of the bioclimatic conditions is the key factor determining the SOC content in the top horizon of soils in the south of the East European Plain. The comparison of the SOC content within the five variants of land use demonstrated that all the regions under study differed, with statistical significance only found in a single type of 'continually ploughed land' (>100 years). This fact reflects the leading role of the duration of agrarian loads in agropedogenesis. If the steppe Chernozems even 145 years ago had a SOC content of up to 4%, then the Chernozems in the forest-steppe zone, which used to have habitats with a SOC content of 4–7%, occupied the largest areas, and have now lost 30–40% of the original values in the 0–50 cm layer. Besides the rates of the SOC degradation, which are known and are comprehensively evaluated in the present work, the phenomenon of progradation was established in certain situations, in particular arising during the rotation regime of land use (from ploughing to fallow fields, and vice versa), which stimulated effective mechanisms of reproduction of organic substances. Thus, in one of the ancient agricultural regions, where in antiquity the land was cultivated by such ancient Greek states as Tauric Chersonesos and the European Bosporos in Crimea, post-antique long-term fallow lands possess higher SOC contents than their virgin analogues. It is not justified to consider virgin lands as absolute references for the evaluation of the humus conditions since the analysis of agrogenic series of Chernozems has corroborated an essential role of the soil organo-mineral matrix in the formation of the carbon protection capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the state agroecological monitoring program, the Cd content in the main components of the forest–steppe agroecosystems in the Belgorod region located in the southwestern part of the Central Black Earth Region was studied. The soil cover was mainly composed of leached and typical chernozems. According to the study results, the average total Cd was 0.32 mg/kg in the 0- to 20-cm layer of arable leached black soil, while mobile forms were 0.08 mg/kg, corresponding to the background values and much lower than the approximate allowable concentrations. The background Cd concentrations were excessive in the soils of roadside ecosystems at a distance of up to 60 m from the roadbed. Most Cd was brought into the Belgorod agroecosystems with organic fertilizers, but it did not cause contamination of the soil or crop products. Out of the crops studied, the minimum level of Cd was in white lupine grain (0.011 mg/kg), and the maximum was in sunflower seeds (0.086 mg/kg). The average Cd contents of corn, barley, and winter wheat grains were not drastically different and ranged from 0.037 to 0.042 mg/kg. In clover and alfalfa hay, the average Cd was almost the same: 0.012–0.013 mg/kg; these values were much lower than in natural forbs (0.045 mg/kg). The maximum allowable Cd concentrations of food grains and maximum allowable Cd level of feed were not excessive in the crop products studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of extreme climate change on terrestrial ecosystems continues to intensify. This study was conducted to understand extreme climate–vegetation interactions under exacerbated frequency, severity, and duration of extreme climatic events. The Inner Mongolian Plateau (IMP) was selected due to its sensitive natural location, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and daily meteorological station data from 1982 to 2020, changes in the patterns of vegetation and extreme climate in the three ecological zones (forest, steppe, and desert steppe) of the IMP were identified. Furthermore, the effects of extreme climate on vegetation were quantified using correlation analysis and a geographical detector. The results showed that the annual NDVI of 95.1%, 50.6%, and 19.5% of the area increased significantly in the forest, steppe, and desert steppe, respectively. The Tx90p (warm days) and Tn90p (warm nights) increased significantly at the rate of 0.21 and 0.235 day·yr−1, respectively, while the Tx10p (cold days) and Tn10p (cold nights) showed a significantly decreasing trend at the rate of −0.105 and −0.117 day·yr−1. An extreme warming phenomenon was observed in all extreme temperature indices on the IMP. The results of both the correlation analysis and factor detector indicated that extreme temperature intensity and frequency greatly affected forest vegetation. In contrast, extreme precipitation intensity and frequency were relatively more important to the vegetation of the desert steppe. The lag in NDVI response to extreme temperature intensity was not less than three months in the IMP; however, extreme precipitation intensity exhibited a two-month time lag in the NDVI. This study can improve our understanding of extreme climate–vegetation interactions, provide theoretical support for disaster mitigation, and aid in understanding the ecological environment of the IMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-quality feed base is a must to ensure the growing of numerous animals via selecting promising high-yielding crops that can provide livestock with feeds at the entire production stage. This study purposed to develop new technologies for reinstating a balanced use of pastures in Kazakhstan's steppe and forest-steppe zones. Several investigations succeeded in 2019-2022 at the Service-ZHARS Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) production fields of District Kyzylzhar, North Kazakhstan. Five chosen pasture combinations created multifactor pasture lands, as follows: common alfalfa + Festulolium; awnless brome + yellow sweet clover; common alfalfa + pasture ryegrass + Festulolium; white sweet clover + awnless brome + Timothy grass, and sainfoin + Festulolium + pasture ryegrass + Timothy grass. For haymaking and pasture chain construction, the following grass combinations selected comprised two-pasture grasses (previous years' brome and Timothy grass + common alfalfa + sainfoin) and seven hay grasses (vetch + oats, Sudan grass, sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid + sorghum, corn for silage, sorghum, peas + oats + barley + wheat, and peas). The use of droughtresistant legumes, cereals, and arable crops and their mixtures positively impacted intensifying the feed base and reducing the pasture areas' degradation. Thus, in the first experiment, the green mass collection was higher than 3.33 t ha-1, while in the second one, it was below 4.75 t ha-1, which fully bestowed the physiological needs of animals. The species diversity of pasture vegetation has improved because of beans' inclusion, possibly enhancing the protein ratio in green feed and hay as the main component of the farm animals' diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity of SOC (soil organic carbon) fractions can provide information on soil organic matter proxies and kinetically defined components related to their chemical composition and oxidability. The purpose of this study was to assess the stability of SOC on five soil types (Arenosols, Chernozems, Fluvisols, Vertisols and Solonetz) and three land uses (cropland, meadow and forest). To obtain SOC functional fractions chemical, physical and density fractionating methods were used as follows: SOC susceptible to oxidation with 333 mM KMnO4 (SOCKMnO4S), SOC with varying degrees of oxidation resistance by the modified Walkley-Black method (SOCwb1, SOCwb2, SOCwb3, SOCwb4), particulate SOC (SOCpar); mineral-associated SOC (SOCmas), aggregate-associated size classes of the SOC (SOC >2000, SOC2000–250, SOC250–53, SOC <53). The relative contribution of fractions in SOC was as follows: SOCKMnO4S (7.9–42.5%), SOCwb1 (35.6%) > SOCwb2 (27.5%) > SOCwb4 (22.7%) > SOCwb3 (14.2%), SOCmas (56.6–76.4%) > SOCpar (23.6–43.4%), SOC >2000 (8.2–44.8), SOC 2000–250 (27.4–34.9), SOC 250–53 (13.4–27.4%), SOC <53 (5.4–28.8%). Fractions SOCpar, SOCwb4, SOC >2000 and SOC <53 showed sensitivity to land use, whereas SOCmas, SOC KMnO4S, SOCwb3 showed variations among soil types. The fraction SOCwb1 indicated sensitivity to both land use and soil type. Considering obtained functional fractions of SOC it was possible to determine discriminators between particular soil types or indicators of land use changes due the anthropogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contents and chemical speciation of vanadium(V) in different types of soil and soils with different particle were studied by the modified BCR method. The results indicated that the V content was in the order of as red soil > cinnamon soil > chernozem soil, and the content of V in red soil was as high as 264.9 mg/kg, which posesa potential risk to the environment and biosecurity. In cinnamon soil, V exhibitedan obvious gradation effect; that is, the content of V in fine particles was higher than in large particles. In addition, V(IV), with low toxicity, accounted for more than 87% of the total V in the three types of soil, and most V existed in the residual fraction. The pH was the main factor affecting the V valence state in the soil, and when the environmental conditions change due to various agricultural measures, such as applying fertiliser, long-term cultivation and intensive irrigation, V(IV) is easily oxidised to V(V) with high toxicity, and reduceable and oxidisable V is converted into an acid-soluble fraction, which leads to increased bioavailability and a potential threat to the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen environmental risk assessments and monitoring of heavy metals in cultivated soils, especially in areas with high background values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulometric aggregate fractions (20 µm–2 mm) of chernozem soils with different agriculture-use histories (native steppe, permanent bare fallow, arable land, and shelterbelt) were investigated in mid-IR and far IR regions (4000–100 cm−1) by heating in the air from 25 to 215 °C, using ATR FTIR and linear discriminant analysis to differentiate the land-use samples without chemical perturbation. The temperature dependences of the band maxima significantly differed for bands of silicate matrix and bands with the contribution of soil organic matter and were more stable to experimental conditions compared to the absolute positions. The thermal behavior of the integral intensities of the IR bands at 790–750 cm−1 and 440–420 cm−1 that was different compared to pure quartz, may be attributed to –C–H bending of alkanes and (poly)aromatic structures and skeletal bending, and could be used to distinguish intact soils from agriculturally used samples. The different temperature behaviors of the bands for fractions of soils with different land use are shown, with the maximum difference in fractions below 20–50 µm and medium fractions (50–200 µm). Changes in the band-maximum frequencies and the integral intensities of the bands were reversible for a heating–cooling cycle. The linear discriminant analysis of the spectra obtained for granulometric fractions of chernozem soils made it possible to separate the samples of native steppe, arable land, bare fallow, and shelterbelt with a high probability based on the type of vegetation and agrogenic load, mainly on the basis of the spectral ranges associated with biogenic forms of quartz and phytoliths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In soils of the temperate zone, there is an increase in the magnetic susceptibility χ of an upper layer compared to χ C of parent rocks. The difference between χ and χ C characterizes the magnetic "enhancement" Δχ, which is usually considered as associated with mean annual precipitation (MAP), allowing the reconstruction of MAP of the past from Δχ values of paleosols. which is widely enough used. However, in regions with a wide MAP range, non-monotonic dependence of Δχ on MAP is observed, making this reconstruction ambiguous. To construct climatic functions for reconstructing the past climate, we subdivided the south of European Russia into three regions, where climatic functions such as MAP(Δχ) of modern soils are monotonic and close to linear. These regions are relatively dry, humid, and semi-humid cold. We considered an extended set of climatic features including potential evapotranspiration (PET), actual evapotranspiration (AET), water deficit (WD = PET–AET), moisture index (MI = MAP/PET), an index of De Martonne (IDM = MAP/(MAT+10), where MAT is the mean annual temperature). The links of Δχ with MAP were positive in dry and negative in humid and semi-humid cold where they are weaker, but there were closer links with temperature-dependent WD and PET. Reliable (with R 2 > 0.7) climatic functions were constructed for dry and semi-humid cold, but such reliable functions were absent in humid part. Since the differences in soil - forming material, it is necessary to identify some parameter to characterize lithological factors. For this reason, we include in consideration median grain sizes (lgSz) in soil profiles and total iron (Fet) to obtain some explanations for the results. Although the use of Δχ, lgSz and Fe t together made the climatic functions more reliable (R 2 ∼ 0.8), but Δχ played the main role, while lgSz and Fe t were not always significant. Based on the obtained data, it appears possible to provide a more detailed subdivision of paleoecological periods in the Late Holocene for the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the Eastern Europe. Taking into account the diversity of soil conditions in different regions, equations using soil profile MS enhancement to reconstruct rainfall should be used locally and regionally, taking into account the identified limitations and eliminating the possible ambiguity of reconstructions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a case study carried out on a farm in the town of Șag, Timiș county, where cereals (wheat, barley, corn), sunflower and alfalfa are cultivated. The total area of the farm is 149 ha, of which, as of 2018, 28 ha are cultivated in an ecological system, the study being carried out on 20 ha out of the 28, namely: 10 ha are cultivated with corn, 5 ha with sunflowers, 2 ha with wheat, 1 ha with barley and 2 ha with alfalfa. The objectives considered were: the description of the geographical, pedological and climatic conditions; identification and presentation of the main soil types; culture technology practiced; the range of crops and the areas occupied by the three basic crops. The soil is of cambic chernozem type. In this farming system, crop rotation is very important, this being one of the factors that determined an expansion of areas and crops. The introduction of legumes and the future use of green manures in addition to the practice of direct sowing are desired. In the fall of 2022, along with the sowing of wheat, red clover was sown in a mixture with wheat on an area of 3 ha, to be used as fertilizer. The purpose of the work is to obtain a fund of pedological and agrochemical information regarding the soil cover in the perimeter of the town of Șag, Timiș county, in order to make a correct and rational use of the edaphic resource in conjunction with a sustainable development of the entire agricultural activity in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is the evaluation seeds diversity of different species in the genus Rhododendron after pre-sowing treatment with organic compounds. As the signs of the seeds diversity is understood the seed germination and the seedling height. The research was conducted at the B.M. KozoPolyansky Botanical Garden of Voronezh State University (geographic coordinates: E 39°12’, N 51°42’; 168.2 meters above sea level), Central Chernozem region (chernozem soil) in 2019-2020. It has been used ornamental shrubs. The study was made about the pyrimidinecarboxylic acids effect on the seed germination and the seedling height of Rhododendron species. The diversity of seeds is manifested in their heterogeneity according to morphological characteristics (the seedling height) and sowing qualities (seed germination) of Rhododendron species. The sowing properties (germinating capacity, seedling growth) were improved after treating the seeds with the organic compounds. There is the trend of increasing the seed germination and the seedling height of Rhododendron depended on the concentration of applied compounds. The seed germination for Rh. ledebourii, Rh. luteum, Rh. molle was increased from 5 to 7%, for Rh. schlippenbachii – from 5 to 10%. The seed treatment with pyrimidinecarboxylic acids at concentrations 0.01%, 0.05% and 0.1% allows to increase the seedling height for Rh. ledebourii from 37.5 to 75%, for Rh. luteum, Rh. molle – from 18.2 to 45.5%, for Rh. schlippenbachii from 20 to 40% concerning the control. To increase the seedling height, 2-benzylamino-4-methylpyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid at concentrations 0.05% and 0.1% is most effective. Morphologically close Rhododendron species (Rh. luteum, Rh. molle) indicated similar reactions to the seed treatment with compounds of the pyrimidinecarboxylic acid series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forage pea (Pisum arvense f. aestivale), also known as field pea, is one of the important species cultivated in our country for the feed of several animal species, due to the remarkable content of the grains in proteins, calcium, vitamins, but also in other essential elements for animal nutrition. Also, together with oats, it forms the spring mash, which is well-known for its high fodder quality. The research carried out during three experimental years, in the climate and soil conditions of the Arad Plain, regarding the cultivation of spring forage pea, highlighted the importance of soil fertility, as well as the importance of the water from precipitation during winter and growth period. Among the three experimental years (2020, 2021 and 2022), the best results regarding grain production were recorded by the spring forage pea variety Salamanca with determined growth, in the year of 2021, on a cambic chernozem, low carbonate, medium loam/medium loam clay type of soil, when the grain production exceeded 4.800 kg/ha, STAS grains. The same genetic material (Salamanca variety), cultivated under identical technological conditions, on a weakly stagnoglazed vertosoil, medium loam clay/dusty-clay type of soil, achieved a significantly lower grain production, of less than 4.000 kg/ha. It is remarkable that, in the all three years of spring forage pea cultivation, the grain production obtained on the cambic chernozem type of soil exceeded, each time, the value of 4.000 kg/ha, while, in the case of the vertosoil, every year recorded a production below the value of 4.000 kg/ha, making soil fertility as one of the most determinant factors for production of this significant legume crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important part of soil science research is the classification of soils. Numerous soil scientists have paid special attention to various dependencies related to the content and distribution of iron forms in the soil profile. This allows the taxonomic unit to be determined according to soil classifications. The research objective was to evaluate the distribution of iron forms as an indicator of soil-forming processes in four profi les of arable black earths. The research subject was soils formed from glacial sediments in the Chełmno Lake District (northern Poland). They were determined by morphological description to be Phaeozems representing four subtypes: Haplic Phaeozem, Luvic Gleyic Phaeozem, Gleyic Phaeozem and Gleyic (Cambic) Phaeozem. Soil horizons were described according to FAO guidelines. The soil samples were analysed for the content of free iron oxides (Fed) according to Mehra and Jackson's method, as well as the content of amorphous iron oxides, (Feo) according to Schwertmann's method. Based on the content of Fed and Feo, the content of crystalline iron oxides (Fec) was calculated using the formula: Fec = Fed-Feo and the iron oxides activity index was calculated from the Feo/Fed ratio. The content of Fet was highest in the Bt horizon of profile II. In individual profi les, Fed content was highest in the Bt horizon of gleyic Phaeozem and the AB horizon of gleyic (cambic) Phaeozem. In Luvic Gleyic Phaeozem and Gleyic (Cambic) Phaeozem iron was removed from the surface horizon to be accumulated in the illuvial horizon. The uniformity of content of total iron and its free iron oxides in the parent material of the analysed soils indicates its genetic homogeneity. The release of iron in the Ap horizon is characteristic of chemical weathering. The relationship between the content of Feo and Fed determines the degree of crystallization of free iron oxides. Based on the statistical analysis, a significantly positive correlation between the content of clay fraction and all the iron forms determined was found. All the profi les were characterized by similar degrees of weathering of the soil material, which was determined on the basis of the Fed/Fet ratio. The soils also demonstrate a low value of iron mobilization, as confirmed by the values of the Fed/Fet ratio. Determining iron forms and interpreting analysis results help in the correct classification of soils, because the distribution of iron forms in soil profiles depends mainly on pedogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature-dependent IR spectroscopy capable of revealing specific changes in the band intensities, positions, and shape was used to increase the information on humic substances (HS) from soils. Temperature dependences of IR spectra of HS isolated from silicate-based soils differing in the contents and nature of organic matter, chernozem and soddy podzolic soil, were investigated by attenuated total internal reflection FTIR in the mid-IR region (4000–400 cm−1) in the air within the moderate temperature range of 25–215 °C (298–488 K) with a step of 2.5 °C. The dependences of shifts in frequency (wavenumber) corresponding to band maxima and integrated band intensities were built for all major bands. Observed reversible frequency shifts upon heating and cooling can be interpreted as forming structures in the dry state. The behavior of integrated intensities of bands assigned to C–H and C–C vibrations, characteristic vibrations of polyaromatic compounds, carboxylic acids, and carboxylates were shown, and similar behavior for the same group (symmetric and antisymmetric stretches) were revealed. Differences in the temperature trends in chernozem and soddy podzolic soils due to different structures (aliphatic and aromatic) and functional groups (carboxylic and carboxylate) are shown. The different behavior of the bands corresponding to carboxylic groups and skeletal vibrations differentiates soil types with different organic matter. The temperature trends of band maximum and intensity shifts are less prone to measurement conditions and may serve as qualitative parameters characterizing the composition of soil humic substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse reflectance FTIR measurements with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) are used for accurate band identification of chernozem comprising soil organic matter (SOM), including humic substances and mineral silicate matrix. Samples of different land use (native steppe, shelterbelt, bare fallow, and arable land) of a long-term field experiment were compared. Homospectral 2D-COS maps for size fractions obtained by wet fractionation were built, and the fraction size was used as a correlation-building variable (external perturbation) of 2D-COS. Synchronous 2D-COS maps are characterized by main correlation regions at 4000–3600 (hydrogen bonds), 1800–1150 (SOM), and 1100–200 cm−1 (quartz matrix). SOM range can be used as a signature of the samples distinguishing two pairs, native steppe–bare fallow and arable land–shelterbelt, by correlations at 1340–1320 cm−1 (CH2) and 1670 cm−1 (aromatic –C=C–). Asynchronous 2D-COS maps show bands at 3690–3620, 2930–2830, in the range of 1640–1250 (8 bands), 1160, 1070, 797, 697, 505, and 400 cm−1, the latter 5 indicate the increasing proportion of silicate to quartz in small fractions. The manifestation of asynchronous correlation bands at 1650, 1580–1560, 1444, 1340, and 1250 cm−1, which have no major contribution from inorganic soil components, are due to carbonyl, carboxylate, and aromatic C–C; their appearance order (accumulation of corresponding substances in larger factions) is different for each land use. The proposed approach provides the identifying SOM components with enough reliability for SOM IR bands that are weaker compared to mineral matrix bands in original IR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissipation and residue of picoxystrobin in three different soils (Xerosols, Yermosols and Chernozem) was investigated. An easy-to-implement and sensitive method was established to determine picoxystrobin in the three different soils via modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) combined with HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). The photodegradation process of picoxystrobin in three different soils was detected by HPLC-mass spectrometry. The linearity of picoxystrobin detection was studied in the range of 0.3–10 mg/L (0.3, 0.5, 1, 2 and 10 mg/L), good linearity was obtained and the correlation coefficients (R2) was 0.9999. The recoveries of picoxystrobin ranged from 78.4% to 106.4% and relative standard deviation of 0.67%-4.46% in three kinds of soil spiked at 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg. The results of the recovery study indicated that the method meets the precision and accuracy requirements for picoxystrobin in the three different soils. The photodegradation experiments revealed that the compound had a degradation half-life ranging from 3.80–4.29 days. The rule of photodegradation of picoxystrobin on the surface of three soils was consistent with first-order reaction kinetic model. Finally, two possible routes of picoxystrobin fragmentation were indicated by mass spectrometry. This work will provide a theoretical reference for the analysis of picoxystrobin residues in soil and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical structure of organic matter (OM) pools in the arable layers of agrochernozems (non-eroded, eroded, and depositional has been studied by solid-state 13C-NMR spectroscopy. As has been shown, two competing processes simultaneously take place in the erosional zone: decomposition of the OM of the underlying horizon exposed due to erosion, and the stabilization of fresh OM having entered with the crop residues (OM dynamic replacement). Analytical data suggest that the OM dynamic replacement in the erosional zone efficiently compensate for the OM decomposition, as is evidenced by the highest C/N ratio of all studied OM pools in the eroded agrochernozem along with the absence of statistically significant differences in the integral characteristics of their chemical structure. However, a continuous removal of the upper soil layer from the eroded agrochernozem with each erosion event does not fully compensate for the quantitative OM losses there. The most labile OM part can be mineralized during transportation of the eroded material to the depositional zone. Accordingly, the OM entering the depositional zone is to a greater degree transformed as compared with that of the eroded agrochernozem. Nevertheless, characteristic of the depositional agrochernozem is an increased accumulation of organic carbon in the bulk soil and all examined OM pools. Correspondingly, the continuous OM inputs from the slope position subject to erosion with its subsequent burial after each consecutive erosion event, as well as the repacking/aggregation of the newly deposited OM, efficiently contribute to the deposition of organic carbon in the depositional zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]