Assessment of degradation transformations of agricultural lands

Abstract

The use of soil for the production of crop products leads to changes in the natural properties of soils and their natural state. When various situations arise, soil properties can change in different forms and with unequal degrees of severity; a process that worsens quantitative and qualitative properties is defined as soil degradation. The significant role of soil in people’s lives should serve as an incentive for its rational use and to prevent the occurrence of degradation transformations leading to a decrease in its environmental and production functions. The purpose of the research is to assess soil contamination of agricultural lands in the Samara region with insecto-acaricides and herbicides. Objectives: - to establish the average and maximum content of residual quantities of pesticides in soils; - determine the area of contamination with residual quantities of pesticides. The research was carried out in 7 districts (Bezenchuksky, Syzransky, Stavropolsky, Volzhsky, Privolzhsky, Bolshechernigovsky, Elkhovsky) of the Samara region in 2020-2022. To assess soil contamination with residual amounts of pesticides, soil samples were taken in spring and autumn to the depth of the arable layer. In selected soil samples, the residual amount of insectoacaricides (DDT, HCH, HCB, metaphos) and herbicides (prometrin, atrazine, simazine, 2.4-D, trifluralin, THAN, dalapon) was determined. The analysis of contamination of agricultural land in the study region showed that the content of controlled pesticides in soils depended on both the period of soil sampling and the year of research.