Changes in the biological activity of typical chernozem under different pea cultivation technologies

Abstract

The preservation of soil fertility is a critical task in modern agriculture, necessitating the adoption of technologies that conserve soil resources. This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of typical chernozem under various pea cultivation technologies. The research was conducted on the experimental field of the Kursk Federal Agrarian Research Center, utilizing traditional, differentiated, minimal, and direct sowing methods. The soil used was typical thick heavy loamy chernozem. The study employed the gravimetric method to measure humidity, the application method for the decomposition of flax to assess biological activity, and the Kravkov method to determine the nitrification capacity of the soil. The results showed that differentiated, minimal, and direct sowing technologies for pea cultivation significantly enhanced the nitrifying ability and biological activity of the soil, with average increases of 1.2-1.8 times compared to traditional technology in the 0-20 cm soil layer. These findings highlight the potential benefits of adopting alternative pea cultivation technologies to promote soil conservation and fertility preservation.