MICROMORPHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF THE STABILITY OF CHERNOZEMS UNDER IRRIGATION

Abstract

Chernozems under irrigation for a long period of time have been studied using the micromorphological methods. The soil porosity, the amount of microaggregates, biogeneity, humus microforms and the presence or formation of optically oriented clay were taken as the basic indices for estimating the stability of chernozems to irrigation during 30-50 years. The different ionic composition of the irrigation water serves as evidence of varying anthropogenic evolution of chernozems.

Keywords

• fabric
• humus forms
• optically oriented clay
• solodization
• compactness