MONITORING OF WATER PERMEABILITY AND EROSION PROCESSES AT DIFFERENT METHODS OF PRIMARY TILLAGE OF CHERNOZEM IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA

Abstract

Purpose: analysis of soil water permeability and runoff-regulating ability of methods of basic soil tillage on chernozems in the south of the European territory of Russia. Materials and methods. The object of research is ordinary chernozem on the erosion-hazardous slope of the experimental station of the Federal State Budget Scientific Institution “Federal Rostov Agricultural Research Centre” (FSBSI FRARC). The methods used are generally accepted in soil science, erosion science, agriculture (S. V. Astapov, 1958; V. N. Dyakov, 1974; E. V. Poluektov, 1982; B. A. Dospekhov, 1985), generalized analysis and analysis of data obtained in field experiments. Results. The results of studies of the methods of basic tillage: moldboard, flat-cut, chisel, surface, for the period from 1975 to 2017 are analyzed. The dependence of water permeability on the methods of basic tillage starting from the moment of its implementation until harvesting of agricultural crops is established. Particular attention is paid to soil permeability during the period of snow melting, since during this period the flow of melt water and soil washout are formed, the relationship between which is quite close. The most intense erosion processes are manifested during moldboard plowing, followed by surface tillage. A higher soil conservation capacity is typical for areas tilled with chisel. Conclusion. According to the data obtained, in autumn period, rainwater runoff and soil washout can be an exception, especially if the basic tillage is carried out to a depth of 25–29 cm. In winter, when the soil freezes, the permeability decreases sharply, especially on surface cultivation, which creates preconditions for melt water formation. The maximum snowmelt runoff is formed on surface tillage, followed by a flat-cut one, and a moldboard and a chisel one close the list. In terms of soil washout, moldboard plowing is in the first place, followed by cultivation methods that leave stubble and plant residues on the surface: surface, flat-cut, chisel.

Keywords

• water permeability
• soil cultivation methods
• melt and rainwater runoff
• soil washout
• ordinary chernozem
• erosion processes