The most fertile soils in Russia. Which soil is the most fertile among existing species? What to grow on clay soil

In the region where I live, there are several types of soil that differ in their fertility. Among them there are chernozems, which are the leader in terms of fertility. Now I will tell you what is so special about this soil.

Chernozem is the most fertile type of soil

Chernozem is black earth. Indeed, it is black. Therefore, many people who have lived their entire lives in a region with such soils are very surprised when they come to another region and see brown or yellow color. Basically, chernozems are concentrated in the steppe and forest-steppe zones.

High level The fertility of these soils is ensured due to the following characteristics:

• a large amount of humus in the composition (5–15%);
• the presence of various microorganisms;
• grain.

Even in the distant past, black soils were a guarantee good harvest. It is impossible to create soil properties like theirs. artificially. No special fertilizers or minerals will make another soil as fertile. This is because it takes thousands of years to form black soils. They are formed under the influence of many natural factors, including climate conditions and biological features. Such soil is home to a large number of microorganisms, as well as worms, which contributes to the formation of a favorable environment for the growth of any plants.

Chernozems in the world

For Russia, chernozems are a real asset. Our country occupies a leading place in the world in terms of the number of such fertile lands. All the territories with black soils taken together in Russia account for 52% of the world's areas. Chernozems are also found in the following countries:

• Hungary;
• Bulgaria;
• Ukraine;
• Canada.

But Russian black soils have best composition. They contain more humus than the soils of other countries, which is key factor fertility. It is practiced to transport chernozem to other regions, for which a certain layer of soil is cut off. Many people think that in this way they can ensure fertility for a long time. long years, but that's not true. The soil is gradually depleted, and within a few years it loses its fertility.

The names of soil types come from the name climatic zones in which they were formed. In the taiga-forest zone there are podzolic And sod-podzolic; in forest-steppe and steppe - forest gray, black soils, chestnut; in the subtropical – red soils and yellow soils.

Many soils get their name from the color of their humus horizon: chernozem, gray forest, brown forest, podzol.

The soil on the surface of particles of clay, sand, and silt contains a large amount of iron compounds. It is because of the iron films on soil particles that it acquires its specific color. The presence of iron hydroxides gives soils various shades of reddish-brown or yellowish-brown. The black color of the soil depends on the presence of humic acid in it.

• Black color – more than 7%

• Dark gray – 5...7%

• Gray – 3...5%

• Light gray – less than 3%

Podzolicsoil - common in the taiga zone. Where coniferous forests grow. The top layer is forest litter, formed from fallen pine needles and branches. Below is a whitish layer that does not have a pronounced structure. Below it is a brown horizon, dense, with a high clay content, the structure is expressed in the form of large lumps.

As a result of the decomposition of pine needles, acids are formed, which, under conditions of excessive moisture, contribute to the decomposition of mineral and organic soil particles. Heavy rainfall, in turn, washes such soil and carries acid-dissolved substances from the upper humus layer to the lower horizons. As a result, the upper part of the soil acquires the whitish color of ash.

These soils are very acidic and therefore always require liming and application. full complex fertilizers Podzolic soil contains only 1 to 4% humus.

In Russia, podzolic soils are common in Siberia and Far East. Trees grow much better on such soils than crops.

Only at the base of the slopes, in damp places, podzolic soils are considered the most suitable for vegetable growing. The soils of these places have a bluish color and a steely sheen when cut. However, they tend to be too wet and need to be drained.

Soddy-podzolic soils- This is a subtype of podzolic soils. They are formed under small-leaved forests mixed with coniferous species. Their composition is largely similar to podzolic soils. Under the forest floor there is a humus horizon, no more than 15...20 centimeters deep, having a dark brown color, followed by a barren whitish layer.

A characteristic feature of these soils is that they are washed out by water more slowly than podzolic soils, therefore they are more fertile, but they also require liming and fertilizer and can be used for growing vegetables only after improvement.

To do this, gradually, no more than 3...5 centimeters annually, deepen the arable layer and apply a large amount of organic, mineral fertilizers and lime. Spring treatment Soddy-podzolic soil should be excavated to a shallower depth than in the autumn, so as not to turn the podzol to the surface.

Gray forest soils are formed in the territory of deciduous forests. An indispensable condition for the formation of such soils is the presence of a continental climate, grass vegetation and the presence of sufficient calcium (Ca). Thanks to this element, water is not able to destroy the soil structure by removing nutrients.

These soils are colored in shades gray. The humus content in gray forest soils ranges from 2 to 8 percent. The fertility of these soils is considered average.

Gray forest soils contain slightly more humus than podzolic soils. Despite a certain amount of calcium (Ca) reserves, they still have an acidic soil reaction and therefore require liming.

Brown forest soils are common in mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests. These soils are formed only in warm temperate climates. The soil color is brown. The top layer, about 5 centimeters thick, consists of fallen leaves. Below it is fertile layer up to 30 centimeters thick. Even lower is a layer of clay of 15...40 centimeters.

Brown soils are divided into several subtypes with a palette of shades of brown color, the formation of which occurs under the influence of ambient temperature.

Chestnut soils are common in steppes and semi-deserts. This soil has chestnut, light chestnut and dark chestnut colors. Accordingly, there are three subtypes of chestnut soil, differing in color.

On light chestnut soils, farming is possible only with abundant watering. Cereals and sunflowers grow well on dark chestnut soils without watering.

The chemical composition of chestnut soil is varied. The soil contains magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), which indicates a favorable acidity (pH) level for most plants.

Chestnut soil tends to recover quickly. Its thickness is maintained by annually falling grass. You can get good yields from it, provided there is sufficient moisture. Since the steppes are usually dry.

Chestnut soils in Russia are common in the Caucasus, the Volga region and Central Siberia.

Soddy soils are distributed mainly in Belarus, the Baltic states, the middle and northern
zones of Russia. They contain a lot of humus, and therefore are structural and fertile. According to the reaction of the soil environment turf soils slightly acidic or neutral.

Chernozems are recognized as a standard. They have an optimal granular structure, they contain a lot of humus, have a high content of nutrients and a neutral reaction of the soil environment. When planting a vegetable garden on black soil, you should apply fertilizer only to maintain the balance of nutrients.

Voronezh black soil kept in the Paris Chamber of Weights and Measures, being the standard of agriculture.

Peat soils are located in the most humid places, occupy about 7% of the entire territory of Russia and are located mainly in the regions of the North-West, central strip Russia, Western Siberia and the Far East.

They are dark, almost black in color when wet. In the thickness you can always see the incompletely decomposed remains of plants. Under the peat layer lies a bluish clay horizon. Such soils are rich in organic matter, but lack some absolutely essential cultivated plants macro and microelements.

Due to their high moisture holding capacity, peat soils require good drainage.
Due to poor water permeability, when there is excess precipitation, they float with water.
Due to poor thermal conductivity, they warm up slowly in the spring, which delays the processing and sowing time.

They are also highly acidic and therefore require liming.

Peat soils are divided into several subtypes depending on the peat that forms them.

Lowland peat contains the most nitrogen, ash, lime, and is therefore slightly acidic. It lies in hollows, river valleys and depressions.

High peat significantly poorer in nitrogen and ash than the lowland one, since it is located on a more high areas. There is very little lime in it, it is sour. High-moor peat is suitable for preparing composts.

Transitional peat in terms of nitrogen, ash and lime content ranks intermediate position.

Peat soils, after draining them, applying the necessary phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, as well as liming, are successfully used for growing vegetables.

Floodplain soils are formed in the floodplains of rivers. During spring river floods, a lot of silt settles on these soils, which makes them especially fertile. Floodplain soils have a neutral reaction of the soil environment and therefore rarely require liming. They are rich in phosphorus, but poor in potassium.

In the high part of the floodplain, sandy and loamy varieties of floodplain soils predominate. In terms of structure and nutrient reserves, they are inferior to the soils of the middle part of the floodplain, but they dry out faster, which makes it possible to begin cultivating them earlier. Groundwater here lies deep, when growing vegetable crops it is necessary to organize watering.

The middle part of the floodplain is represented mainly by loamy soil, which is characterized by a good granular structure and high fertility. Groundwater lies at a depth of 1.5 to 2 meters, which creates favorable conditions water regime. These soils produce the highest yields of vegetables and potatoes.

In the lower part of the floodplain, the soils are also fertile, but heavy and excessively wet, which is explained by the high level of groundwater (from 0.5 to 1.0 meters) and the prolonged standing of the flood. These soils should be drained by installing drainage ditches, after which they are suitable for growing late vegetable crops, especially cabbage.

Soil map of Russia and CIS countries

IN soil types, which in addition to small particles - sand, dust, silt (the main composition of any soil) - contain a significant amount of humus and lime, are called structural. Air penetrates easily into such soils and moisture is well absorbed. They contain increased vital activity of beneficial microorganisms, thanks to which the reserves of nutrients available to plants increase. Therefore, such soils are more fertile.

What types of soil are considered fertile

Fertile soil is one from which plants receive enough nutrients of all types and moisture. Rich soil may contain many nutrients, but due to poor structure they are in a form inaccessible to plants. Poor soil is characterized by a small amount of nutrients, the availability of which for plants is also limited due to its poor structure.

Some vegetable growers make the mistake of believing that the poorer the soil, the more mineral fertilizers should be added to it. Large doses of mineral fertilizers create an excessively high concentration of soil solution in such soils, which is harmful to plants. On poor soils, mineral fertilizers should be applied in the spring and only together with organic fertilizers. Most effective in in this case garden fertilizer mixture, which is recommended to be mixed with rotted manure or humus before application - one part fertilizer to two parts humus

In the middle zone of our country in main soil types the most common are soddy-podzolic, soddy and peat-bog soils.

Soddy-podzolic soils are poor in organic matter and have increased acidity: with poor cultivation, after watering and rains they swim in, forming a soil crust. Soddy soils are characterized by higher fertility and are rich in organic matter (humus). They are used as the main component of soil for greenhouses and greenhouses, as well as for seedling pots.

Drained peat swamp areas (peat bogs) when applying certain doses of mineral fertilizers and lime are most favorable for obtaining high yields vegetables Low-lying peatlands, which contain a lot of nitrogen and have weak acidity, are especially good for vegetable growing. When used in an integrated manner, such peat bogs not only make up wonderful agricultural land, but also serve as a source of peat for fertilizer and soil for greenhouse greenhouses. High peat bogs are highly acidic and poor in nitrogen and other minerals, therefore, for cultivating vegetables in open ground are not used. However, high-moor peat is a valuable substrate for growing vegetables using hydroponics and is a good bedding material for livestock.

By mechanical composition soils are divided into clayey, loamy, sandy and sandy loam. The mechanical composition of the soil is determined by the size of the particles of which it is composed.

Clay soils are heavy, highly cohesive and compact, especially after watering and rain. The soil crust that forms in this case sharply impairs air access to plant roots; such soil does not warm up well and dries out. To increase fertility in the fall (better) or spring, add 4-5 kg ​​of peat composts, straw manure, plant composts or 0.2-0.3 kg wood ash per 1 m². Peat manure and peat fecal composts, straw manure are placed on clay soil no deeper than 15-17 cm. Mineral fertilizers usually applied in the spring (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) also at a shallow depth (up to 20 cm); It is better to introduce them locally - into rows and holes. This approach to fertilization on heavy loamy soils is combined with a tolerably fine placement of vegetable seeds and potato tubers.

Loamy soils are more structural and fertile than clay soils. Their nutrients are in a form more accessible to plants. In practice, these soils are suitable for growing all types of vegetable crops.

Sandy soils are considered infertile. They let water through quickly. As a result, nutrients added to the arable horizon are intensively washed into the lower layers. However, due to rapid warming and good aeration, such soils are of some value for early vegetable growing, subject to a constant increase in their fertility. This is achieved by systematically introducing organic fertilizers, especially peat composts (if possible, pond sludge is also added), better in autumn, but it is also possible in the spring, subject to intensive watering. Fertilizer consumption per 1 m² is 4-5 kg ​​of manure or 6-8 peat. You can apply fractionally - half in the fall to a depth of 17 cm, the rest in the spring. Seeds on sandy soils are sown, and seedlings are planted deeper than on clay soils.

Sandy loam soils are more fertile than sandy soils, especially for cultivation early vegetables: the structure is better, they retain nutrients and moisture more reliably.

How to determine the mechanical composition of the soil

It is difficult to accurately determine the mechanical composition of the soil without special analysis. However there is simple techniques, quite affordable for the amateur vegetable grower.

For example, they select half a shovel's worth of soil from the arable layer, pour water into the resulting hole and mix it with the soil collected from the arable land. Make a sausage from the resulting dough and bend it into a ring. If the ring cracks, the soil is loamy; if the dough does not form, the soil is sandy; if the ring does not crack, the soil is clayey.

1. Scale for determining the mechanical composition of the soil

Soils are one of the most valuable natural resources that Russia has. These are resources for both agriculture and forestry. Fertility and productivity are the most important factors economic development and economic use of large quantities different regions Russia. These qualities make it possible for agricultural sectors and various enterprises involved in the production of a variety of food products and various raw materials to develop.

The disparate size of the territories that the country has, their vastness and extent, varied climatic conditions, differences in water regime and temperature characteristics, miscellaneous geological structure and the diversity of the relief, the presence of completely dissimilar plant communities determined the formation of such various types soils in Russia.

Despite its fairly large territories, Russia still does not have such a significant amount of land suitable for economic activity, as it might seem. About 10% of the country's territory is covered by tundra, which is essentially unproductive; 13% of the area is occupied by swamps or swamps. Only 13% of Russian lands are agricultural land, these are gardens and arable land, pastures and hayfields. Arable lands in the camp occupy only 7.7% of the entire territory. 52% of arable land is chernozems, which provide 80% of all agricultural products.

Gray and brown forest soils are also an important part of agricultural production. They are the most fertile soils in the forest zone of Russia.

Gray forest soils

Gray forest soils are a type of soil that is common in temperate regions. They are formed predominantly under broad-leaved forests with grass cover communities and forest-steppes, in the presence of a sufficiently active leaching water regime on soil-forming parent rocks, such as moraines, cover loams, etc. They, as a rule, have a sufficient calcium content.

Under the layer of litter or forest litter there is a horizon of dark gray color, humus-accumulative, its structure is fine-lumpy. The thickness of this layer is 15-30 centimeters; further down to a depth of half a meter lies a humus-eluvial horizon, in which there are more or less pronounced signs of podzolization. The brown illuvial horizon is located at a depth of up to 100 centimeters, which then at the level of 100-150 cm is replaced by an illuvial-carbonate layer. The latter passes into the soil-forming parent rock. The layer of the profile located at the top gives an acidic reaction, the part of the profile located below has a neutral and alkaline reaction.

Gray forest soils are divided into light gray, gray and dark gray. Light gray soils contain from 2% to 4% humus, they are the most podzolized, and the structure of these soils is very weak. Gray and dark gray forest soils contain humus up to 7-9%; they are less podzolized soils and have fairly good physical properties, these soils have significantly high and well-defined biological activity, their fertile qualities are better than those of light gray forest soils.

Gray forest soils are quite widespread throughout Russia, including the European part of the country and quite large areas in both Western and Eastern Siberia.

Gray forest soils have long been actively involved in agricultural production, they are used for growing various grains, and they are productive for vegetable and industrial crops. Horticulture develops on such lands. However, gray forest soils need only high quality agriculture requires fertilizers, various mineral elements and organic matter, grass sowing has a positive effect.

Brown forest soils

Brown forest soils belong to that type of soil, the formation of which occurs under various forests: broad-leaved, mixed, less often coniferous forests of the temperate climate zone, in conditions of a rather warm and humid climate.

This type of soil is characterized by the accumulation of iron oxides, which cause the brown color of the soil layer, weak differentiation of horizon profiles, and the presence of clay formation processes. The structure of brown forest soils is lumpy and nutty. The humus horizon is well developed, the thickness of this layer reaches 20-30 centimeters. The humus content is high, reaching 10%. The soil reaction ranges from slightly acidic to acidic. Often these soils are podzolized.

Brown forest soils are characterized by high fertility. In Russia, these soils have become widespread in the Far East and are present in the Crimea and the foothills of the Caucasus.

In agricultural production, brown forest soils are well suited for growing tea and grapes, citrus fruits, many vegetables and a variety of fruit crops, some grains and feed crops.

The area of ​​arable land is constantly being reduced; it is being taken out of agricultural use for growing cities and the construction of reservoirs, roads, and industrial production.

Another problem of modern land use is the process of soil erosion. Often it has a natural origin, but industrial and other human intervention increases this damage many times over. Soil like natural resource is easily destroyed, and the problem rational use soil resources is significant today.

None of those involved agriculture people will disagree with the famous line “Nature has no bad weather.” Climatic conditions can be very unfavorable for agriculture. The same goes for soils. Any gardener would be happy to have black soil http://keramzit-pesok.ru/chernozem.html, good timely rains and sunny summers middle zone Russia. But if the situation with moisture and heat is different years changes, then with the land you have to be content with what you have or buy what you want from the relevant companies.

Which soils are the most fertile?

Russian gardeners are lucky in this regard. True, not for everyone, but only for those living in certain regions of the country. The most fertile soils in the world are chernozems. They are formed on loess-like loams. According to their own unique properties literally comparable to minerals: they are not found everywhere and are of great value. Their humus layer can be as thick as more than a meter, and in ravine forests up to four, which is a record absolutely unattainable for other types of soil.

Where are black soils located?

More than 50% of all world reserves are concentrated in Russia. Mainly in the zone from the middle and lower reaches of the Don and further east to Western Siberia. Voronezh black soil was even kept in Paris as a standard of fertility. In addition to Russians, Ukrainians are very rich. They occupy almost half the area of ​​this country and constitute approximately one twelfth of all existing in the world. There are chernozems not only in Eurasia, but also in the western USA, southern Canada, Argentina and Chile.