What does black earth mean? Chernozem is a fertile landhaving a black tint of color, land endowed with a huge amount of humus and having a granular-cloddy structure. As a rule, chernozem soils are formed in the forest, as well as on loams and clays in a temperate continental climate.
Today, chernozem can rightly be considered the best soil for farmers, farmers and gardeners, soil on which flowers, trees and shrubs, as well as fruit crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc. grow well. Therefore, chernozem is an excellent garden soil, excellent land for vegetable gardens, as well as for home indoor plants.
On the territory of our state, chernozem soils mostly prevail in Western Siberia, in the North Caucasus, in the Volga region, in the central black earth regions, and they can also be seen today in Ukraine, in North and South America, in China and a number of European countries .
Chernozem is a land saturated with humus, for the formation of which the following conditions are important:
- temperate climate or temperate continental;
- sequential alternation of drying and moistening;
- positive temperature regime.
As experts have established, the most favorable for the formation of chernozems is the temperature regime above +5 degrees and annual precipitation up to 600 mm, no more.
Chernozem lands lie, as a rule, on a wavy-flat relief, indented in some places by ravines, depressions and river terraces.
As for the vegetation on the chernozem soil, meadow-steppe and herbaceous plants. Under appropriate climatic conditions, the process of decomposition of such vegetation takes place, as a result of which humus is formed, which over the years accumulates in the upper soil layer. Along with humus, chernozem soils also contain a number of other substances, such as mineral compounds and complex organic substances. It is thanks to them that such important nutrients for plants growing on chernozems as phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and some others begin to form in the soil.
About the properties of chernozem
Chernozem differs not only in its granular-cloddy structure from other types of soils, but also in its excellent water-air qualities and a huge content of calcium in its composition. The last substance in chernozem soils contains up to 90%.
Among farmers, chernozem is very valuable and people appreciate it, first of all, for its increased fertility, which in this case is associated with intense natural humification and a very high level of humus in the upper soil layer. Humus in this case is contained in the soil about 15 percent.
Types of chernozem
Chernozem is divided by specialists into 5 main types.
1. Leached. This type of chernozem is formed in the forest-steppe zone in the process of dying off of forb-grass plants.
2. Podzolized. This type of chernozem is inherent in broad-leaved grassy forests.
3. Ordinary. This black soil can be found in the steppe zone. It is formed, as a rule, in the process of dying off of forb vegetation.
4. Typical. The formation of a typical chernozem occurs on loams, in meadow-steppe zones and in forest-steppe regions as a result of the decay of forb-cereal crops.
5. Southern. This type of chernozem can be seen in the steppe zones in their southern part, and it is formed as a result of the death of fescue-feather grass vegetation.
In view of the high content of humus in the chernozem, this type of soil is valued mainly for high level fertility and sustainable yields. Chernozem is sold, that is, garden soil in bags, as well as in packages weighing from 1 kilogram to several tens of kilograms.
It is worth noting that in addition to humus in the chernozem, there are other no less useful for fruit plants substances such as phosphorus, nitrogen, iron and sulfur. In its immediate structure, the chernozem soil resembles small lumps of fertile land, and the chernozem soil of the southern zones is considered the most fertile. Experts also call this soil in another way “fat soil” or “fat black soil”.
Today, black soil is valued not only in our state, but also far beyond its borders, and all thanks to the increased fertility of such soil. At present, it is chernozem that is recognized as the best soil for growing berries, fruits, vegetables, fruit bushes and trees. At the same time, it is important to know that for some individual plant species, black soil alone in the soil will not be very useful and it is important to mix it with other useful components, for example, sand, peat or compost. These components help to make the chernozem looser, which will allow you to get the best fruits of certain types of fruit crops.
Chernozem application
As you know, the most best soil for growing vegetables, fruits, berries, as well as fruit and berry bushes and trees, this is black soil, and all because such soil is very fertile. Chernozem, as the name suggests, has a black color, and at the same time a dense composition.
Chernozem soils are used today in horticulture, horticulture and agriculture as high-quality fruit land for planting various kinds of plants, shrubs, herbs and trees. Chernozem is used today when laying out lawns, as a special vegetable soil, when cultivating lands endowed with a large amount of clay, as well as for diluting lands with poor drainage system in order to create an air-water regime favorable for plant growth on such lands. Chernozem is also best land for seedlings, it is in it in the black soil that the seedlings grow stronger and begin to grow at an unprecedented pace.
Fertile land is sold today in packages and in bags in any volume, you can buy black soil and all kinds of fertile mixtures from it personally from us at the most affordable price.
Chernozem characteristics
Chernozem is a soil that is enriched with a huge amount of humus, and the content of humus in the chernozem in its upper layer is especially pronounced. At the same time, chernozem soils contain a huge amount of nutrients and microorganisms useful for plants, and visually they are a lumpy or granular structure. It is endowed with black soil and excellent water-air qualities, which no other soil of natural origin is endowed with today.
Chernozem, as experts have proven, contains up to 90% calcium, as well as humic acids, which today are the most valuable and simply irreplaceable fraction of humus, quickly absorbed by the roots of absolutely all plant species.
Meanwhile, even despite the fact that the chernozem soil has a number of such significant advantages, there is one drawback in it. Chernozem does not have friability, and therefore, planting plants with a weak root system in this soil, it is important to take care to give friability to the chernozem. This can be done very easily by adding a little sand, peat, or a special compost mixture to the soil, which can be bought at any gardening or hardware store. The most optimal proportion for creating natural friability of chernozem is three parts of the chernozem itself to one part of any of the above components, that is, peat, sand, or a compost mixture.
It is worth noting that chernozem soil is also very fatty soil, and this can be seen by simply picking up such soil and squeezing it. On any hand, after the above actions, a black greasy imprint will remain. It is precisely this that suggests that the chernozem is a fertile land with a sufficiently high content, as already noted, of humus. Due to its such qualities, properties and less porous structure than other types of soil, chernozem does not bake in the sun and does not rot under the influence of moisture, as clay soils do, for example.
Plants in the black soil feel quite cheerful and at ease, because here they are provided in abundance with all the elements and oxygen necessary for nutrition, which is so important for the growth of any living organism. In order to grow good fruit on chernozem soils, you do not need to fertilize the land with some kind of chemistry or bioadditives, the plants will bloom and delight you on it in natural conditions without any soil impurities.
Chernozem types
Today, chernozem is rightfully called by all farmers and gardeners the standard of soil, and this is not in vain, because it is chernozem, consisting of half of humus, that endows plants and fruit crops with everything they need for their life and excellent growth. Therefore, chernozem is the most fertile land and this fact is indisputable.
Meanwhile, depending on where exactly the chernozem was formed, it differs markedly in its composition. So, chernozem soils are poured into the following types:
Typical black soil;
- drained black soil;
- leached chernozem;
- podzolized black soil;
- non-carbonate, etc.
At the same time, despite the difference in species, chernozem in any case remains the most fertile soil.
Chernozem is distinguished not only by the territory of formation, but also by the percentage of humus in it. In this case, scientists divide chernozem soils into the following types:
Low humus (contain up to 4% pure humus in their composition);
- low-humus (contain up to 5-6% pure humus in their composition);
- medium humus (contain from 6% to 9% pure humus in their composition);
- highly humus (contain over 9% pure humus in their composition).
Today, fertile land is sold in bags and packages of various sizes. So, for example, garden soil in packages (5,10,25,60 liters) can be purchased directly from us at a bargain price. Landscaping and landscaping of your homestead territory with such land will be quick and easy. Among other things, you can buy soil for seedlings and other compositions useful for the growth and development of plants.
"... the root, incomparable wealth of Russia ..."
(V.V. Dokuchaev. Russian chernozem, 1898)
The parent rocks of chernozems are represented by loose loess-like deposits and loess, but chernozems are also found on derivatives of dense rocks. As a rule, parent rocks have a silty-silty granulometric composition, contain carbonates, their fine fractions consist of mixed-layer mica-smectite formations. The formation of chernozems is facilitated by increased porosity and microaggregation of rocks, their good water permeability and high absorption capacity.
Chernozems are common both on elevated erosive plains and on low accumulative plains (including terraces), as well as in foothills and intermountain basins.
The climate of the distribution areas of chernozems as a whole is characterized by balanced moisture (Kuvl = 1–0.5) with a summer maximum of precipitation and a relatively uniform distribution of them in the rest of the time, warm summers with drying of the profile and its freezing in winter. The alternation of these cycles is necessary for the formation of a kind of "chernozem" humus.
Steppe forb-grass vegetation is traditionally considered an important factor chernozem formation due to the large mass of roots, high ash content and easy decomposition of litter and steppe plants, high biodiversity of cenoses, and, consequently, the cyclicity of vegetation and different depths of root systems. These features of phytocenoses, combined with a moderately warm and periodically humid soil climate, provide high biological activity of microbial cenoses, as well as meso- and macrofauna.
Chernozems occupy about 8% of the country's area, they are most diverse in the European part of Russia, where geographic models of their distribution were created. Chernozems form a number of subzonal subtypes: - podzolized, leached and typical; steppe - ordinary and southern. The series is supplemented by facies subtypes: in the south of Russia - Azov-Caucasus, and in Siberia - cryogenic-micellar and powdery-carbonate.
Genetic horizons: The accumulative-humus (dark humus) horizon is the “visiting card” of chernozem, it is almost the same in all subtypes and types of chernozems. It has an excellent macrostructure (a, b) and microstructure (c). Water-resistant aggregates, largely created by earthworms and root systems, form a granular structure and "root beads". High porosity (up to 50%) and low bulk density (~1/cm3) are characteristic. The dark color is determined by the high content of humus (5–8%) and its humate-calcium composition (Cgc/Cphc > 2). The horizon is saturated with bases, its reaction is close to neutral. The thickness of the horizon is 40 - 120 cm.
The accumulative-carbonate horizon in its formation is associated with humus (saturation with its roots and biological activity), hydrothermal regimes of the profile and carbonate content of the rock. The accumulation of carbonates is determined by the seasonal dynamics of CO2 and soil solutions, and the forms of carbonate neoplasms serve as criteria for the division of chernozems. Thus, migratory forms of carbonates - tubules, pseudomycelium (d) - are characteristic of chernozems of a relatively humid and warm climate, in contrast to segregations - white-eye (e), which are formed in a more continental and arid climate.
Chernozems within the forest-steppe are found in combinations (according to the mesorelief) with gray forest ones. Steppe chernozems form vast homogeneous areas; on the Volga Upland, chernozems on dense sedimentary rocks introduce diversity into the soil cover; in the Trans-Volga region, solonetzes and solonetsous soils are common among chernozems. In the western and central regions, medium-thick and powerful, low- and medium-humus species and subspecies of chernozems predominate; to the east, the humus content in the humus horizon increases and the thickness of the humus profile decreases. Max power humus profile with a low humus content is characteristic of the chernozems of Ciscaucasia. Provincial patterns in relation to the humus profile can also be traced in the zonal series of Siberian chernozems, the most complete series of which is presented in the West Siberian. To the east, the areas of chernozems become fragmented - in the foothills and intermountain basins (with forest-steppe cryogenic-mycelial chernozems); in the steppe powdery-calcareous chernozems are combined with meadow-chernozem soils in the basins.
A fertile humus horizon with a high humus content and a thickness of up to 1 m or more is a distinctive feature of Russian chernozems. It is no coincidence that in the early soil classifications, chernozems were distinguished as "fat" and "heavy duty". Increased reserves of humic substances in chernozems are associated with the characteristics of the biological cycle, characteristic of virgin forb-feather grass and fescue-feather grass. The main background in them is cereals with developed root systems, so that the root litter, rich in nitrogen and ash elements, accounts for 40–60% of the total input of organic residues into the soil. Their decomposition under optimal hydrothermal conditions at neutral or slightly alkaline pH values contributes to the formation of humus with a predominance of complex humic acids, which are firmly fixed in the soil. During the period of studies of Russian chernozems by the founder of Russian soil science V.V. Dokuchaev, the level of humus content in the soils of the forest-steppe and steppe zones of what was then Russia ranged from 3–6% to 10–13%, which was reflected on the map of “isohumus bands” (humus content). VV's map illustrates the level of humus content in the black soils of European Russia at the end of the 19th century; it increased from west to east, reflecting both the provincial features of chernozem formation and the longer agricultural use of chernozems in the western regions of the country.
The high fertility of chernozems determines their value in the arable fund of Russia, where they make up more than half. Large reserves of humus and basic plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), favorable water-physical properties led to the active development of chernozems, starting from the 17th-18th centuries. In the 20th century, small areas of virgin steppes remained only in protected areas; almost the entire black earth zone of the country was plowed up.
The natural profile of the chernozems used in soils changes to a lesser extent than is observed in other soils, which is associated with the large thickness of the humus horizon and the preservation of the herbaceous type of vegetation. However, in chernozems under agrocenoses, the nature of the biological cycle of substances changes due to the removal of crop phytomass and the application of fertilizers; the microclimate and all soil regimes are being transformed; for ordinary and southern chernozems, anthropogenic impacts are added Negative influence. Many studies have been devoted to the agrogenic degradation of chernozems, which have proved that its triggering mechanism is a decrease in the humus content and a change in its qualitative (fractional) composition. Dehumification of soils is a consequence of the accelerated mineralization of organic matter and its entry into arable soil in a much smaller volume, as well as direct losses of humus during water and wind. Even V. V. Dokuchaev in his work “Our steppes before and now” noted unfavorable trends in the loss of humus by chernozem soils. The use of intensive technologies in agriculture in the second half of the 20th century caused dehumification of almost all chernozems. The map compiled by G. Ya. Chesnyak (1986) “in the footsteps of Dokuchaev” (that is, based on the results of determining the humus content in the same places as in the expedition of V. V. Dokuchaev), shows the spatial trends of humus losses in the territory of the Russian plains for 100 years that have passed since the publication of the book by V. V. Dokuchaev "Russian Chernozem". Particularly large losses of humus were noted for the Cis-Urals, which is associated with the initial lower thickness of the humus profiles of these chernozems and the widespread development of erosion processes here caused by a combination of natural factors and a relatively low agricultural culture.
In addition to dehumification, the general trend during plowing is the deterioration of soil structure due to the loss of humus, changes in its composition and multiple passes through the field of heavy agricultural machines. The transformation of the granular or lumpy-granular structure of the upper ones, with their high porosity and water permeability, into blocky-silty is accompanied by the transfer of part of the subsoil runoff to the surface and leads to the development of planar (rill) erosion. In addition, arable soils are not covered in all seasons of the year, which changes their hydrothermal regime; due to deeper and longer freezing, the surface runoff of melt water increases. The development of erosion has greatly increased as a result of the reduction in the areas of watershed forests and the unlimited plowing of slopes, especially on the Central Russian and Volga Uplands with their dissected and in some places thin cover of loose deposits.
With a high potential fertility of chernozems, the factor limiting the receipt of high yields may be the instability of the moisture supply of crops (especially in the southern regions and in the Volga region). Large areas of southern and ordinary chernozems are used with regular irrigation. As a rule, secondary salinization does not threaten chernozems when watered at moderate rates, but such negative consequences as solonetzization, alkalization and deterioration of physical properties are observed: the formation of a surface crust and compaction.
Concern about the fate of the Russian Chernozem forces domestic soil scientists to pay increased attention to the study of various aspects of the functioning of these soils. World recognition of the role of chernozem was manifested in the fact that 2005 was declared the Year of Chernozem - the soil that opens the new international social and scientific campaign "Soil of the Year". The alarming situation with the current state and use of chernozems inevitably raises the question of including a number of chernozems in the Red Book of Soils of Russia.
Chernozem is the most fertile of all other known soil types. As a rule, Russian chernozem is formed in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Russia, and its formation itself takes more than a dozen years. For the formation of chernozem, the presence of certain natural conditions is necessary, for example, such as a moderately cold and dry climate, an abundance of meadow and steppe vegetation. In the process of decomposition (humification) of a huge amount of vegetation residues that annually accumulate in the soil, the formation and accumulation of the so-called humus, which, in fact, is humus, occurs in the upper soil layer. Humus is considered the most valuable element in the composition of the black soil. It is due to the high content of humus that chernozem has the highest fertility rates, among all other types of soil, and a characteristic black or dark brown color with a “fat” tint. In addition to humus, chernozem is also rich in many other microelements useful and necessary for vegetation, for example, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and others.
Chernozem properties
Thanks to the loamy and granular-cloddy structure of the chernozem soil, which is ideal for the growth and development of vegetation, the most optimal water-air balance is stably maintained in the chernozem soil. The acidity of the chernozem is neutral, and the content of various soil microorganisms and calcium in it is simply huge. The quantitative content of humus in the chernozem soil can reach up to 15%. All of the above properties in the aggregate determine such high fertile properties of chernozem. Depending on the quantitative content of humus and the conditions in which the formation took place, the chernozem is classified as: leached, podzolized, ordinary, typical and southern.
Chernozem application
Chernozem is ideal for almost all types of plantations and, in most cases, does not require additional mixing with other components, such as organic and mineral fertilizers. In climatic conditions with good humidity, black soil can be extremely fertile. Chernozem soil is used with great success in the cultivation of crops such as cereals, vegetables, fodder, as well as in the cultivation of orchards and vineyards, in landscaping in large cities and metropolitan areas, in landscape design. Usually, the extraction and delivery of black soil is carried out in order to form a rich fertile soil layer. It is known that the addition of chernozem even to the most depleted and depleted soil gives an excellent healing effect, which restores almost all soil characteristics, and above all water permeability and nutrient content. The greatest effect is achieved when using chernozem on light sandy and sandy loamy soils. The use of chernozem is possible both separately and together with other soil mixtures. However, it is worth noting that a single use of chernozem to enrich and improve a particular soil will not solve the problem of fertility once and for all. Unfortunately, after a few years, the microbiological composition of the soil will again be depleted and impoverished, which, accordingly, will lead to a decrease in the amount of nutrients.
Chernozem pH 6.0 -7.0
As already noted, chernozem is characterized by the highest, compared with other types of soils, natural fertility and humus content, as well as the presence of a granular-cloddy soil structure and loamy mechanical composition that is optimal for the growth and development of vegetation. It is also important that the chernozem soil contains a huge number of soil microorganisms. In Russia, chernozem soil is most common in the southern regions (Lipetsk, Tula, Ryazan, Voronezh, Belgorod and Kursk regions). As for the Moscow region, there are practically no black earth lands here. Buying black soil to improve fertility on personal plot, do not forget that a one-time introduction of chernozem into depleted soil will not solve the problem of fertility forever, since a change in natural conditions for chernozem will lead to a change in its microbiological composition, a decrease in nutrient content and the destruction of soil aggregates. As a result, in a few years, the black soil will turn into an ordinary clay substrate, cracking when dried and turning into ordinary mud after rain. Chernozem is quite simple to use, however, its use in the conditions of Moscow and the Moscow region should be carried out with the addition of sand or peat, for greater looseness of the soil layer of the earth.
Note
The use of chernozem on heavy loamy and clayey soils is ineffective. The greatest effect can be achieved using black soil on light sandy soil.
If trial digging and trial tree planting holes show that the soil is unsuitable for planting trees, soil improvement should be carried out and soil prepared for filling into the planting holes. Chernozem and humus soils often need the addition of clay and lime: clay will make the soil more cohesive, will help to better retain absorbed moisture, while lime helps plants absorb nutrients better. In addition, lime helps to improve the structure of the soil by binding its smallest particles.
The first classification of chernozems was given by V.V. Dokuchaev, who singled them out as independent type and divided according to topographic conditions into mountain chernozems of watersheds, chernozems of slopes and valley chernozems of river terraces. In addition, V.V. Dokuchaev subdivided all chernozems by humus content into four groups (4-7; 7-10; 10-13; 13-16%).
Considerable attention was paid to the classification of chernozems by N.M. Siberians. In his classification (1901), the chernozem soil type was divided into subtypes - northern, rich, ordinary, southern.
Later, the subtype of northern chernozems began to be called, according to S.I. Korzhinsky, degraded, and then it was divided into two independent subtypes - podzolized and leached chernozems.
In 1905 L.I. Prasolov, on the basis of the study of the chernozems of the Azov and Ciscaucasia, identified a subtype of the Azov chernozems, later called the Ciscaucasian. The accumulation of information on the chernozems of these regions made it possible in the future to consider their genetic features as a result of the provincial and facies conditions of soil formation and not to single them out at the level of an independent subtype.
Based on the generalization of extensive materials on the study of chernozems in various regions of the country, the following division of the chernozem soil type into subtypes and genera is currently accepted.
Below is a description of the main genera of chernozems.
Ordinary - stand out in all subtypes; signs and properties correspond to the main characteristics of the subtype. In the full name of the chernozem, the term of this genus is omitted.
Weakly differentiated - developed on sandy loamy rocks, typical features of chernozems are poorly expressed (color, structure, etc.)
Deep-boiling - boil more deeply than the genus "ordinary chernozems", due to a more pronounced flushing regime due to a lighter mechanical composition or relief conditions. stand out from the typical ones. Ordinary and southern chernozems.
Non-carbonate - developed on rocks poor in silicate calcium, there is no effervescence and release of carbonates; are found mainly among typical, leached and podzolized subtypes of chernozems.
Alkaline - within the humus layer, they have a compacted solonetzic horizon with an exchangeable Na content of more than 5% of the capacity; stand out among ordinary and southern chernozems.
Solodified - characterized by the presence of a whitish powder in the humus layer, leakage of humus color, varnishing and smearing along the edges of the structure in the lower horizons, sometimes the presence of exchangeable sodium; common among typical, ordinary and southern chernozems.
Deep gley - developed on two-membered and layered rocks, as well as under conditions of long-term preservation of winter permafrost.
Merged - developed on silt-clay rocks in warm facies, characterized by a high density of horizon B. They stand out among the chernozems of the forest-steppe.
Underdeveloped - have an underdeveloped profile due to their youth or formation on strongly skeletal or cartilaginous-rubble rocks.
All chernozems are divided into types according to the following criteria:
According to the thickness of the humus layer - super-thick (more than 120 cm), powerful (120-80 cm), medium-thick (80-40 cm), thin (40-25 cm) and very thin (less than 25 cm);
In addition, chernozems are divided into types according to the degree of severity of the accompanying process (weakly, medium, strongly leached, weakly, medium, strongly solonetzic, etc.).
In the geographical distribution of subtypes of chernozems, a clear zonal pattern is observed. Therefore, the zone of chernozem soils from north to south is divided into the following subzones: podzolized and leached chernozems, typical chernozems, ordinary chernozems and southern chernozems. The most clearly indicated subzones are expressed in the European part of the country.
Chernozem soils in the forest-steppe zone are represented by podzolized, leached, and typical chernozems.
Chernozems are podzolized. In the humus layer, they have residual signs of the impact of the podzolic process in the form of a whitish powder - the main distinguishing morphological feature of this subtype. The humus profile of podzolized chernozems is gray, less often dark gray in horizon A and noticeably lighter in horizon B. Whitish powder, with its abundant content, gives the chernozem profile a grayish-ashy tint. Usually, in the form of a whitish coating, it seems to powder the structural units in the B1 horizon, but with a strong podzolization, a whitish tint also occurs in the A horizon.
Carbonates occur significantly below the boundary of the humus layer (usually at a depth of 1.3-1.5 m). Therefore, in podzolized chernozems under the humus layer, a brownish or reddish-brown illuvial horizon of a nutty or prismatic structure leached from carbonates with distinct varnishing, humus smears and whitish powder on the edges is distinguished. Gradually, these signs weaken, and the horizon turns into a rock containing carbonates at a certain depth in the form of calcareous tubules, cranes. They are divided into genera - ordinary, poorly differentiated, fused, carbonate-free.
When classifying podzolized chernozems into types, in addition to dividing according to thickness and humus content, they are subdivided according to the degree of podzolization into slightly podzolized and medium podzolized.
Chernozems are leached. Unlike podzolized chernozems, they do not have silica powder in the humus layer.
Horizon A is dark gray or black in color, with a distinct granular or granular-cloddy structure, loose texture. Its thickness ranges from 30-35 to 40-50 cm. The lower boundary of horizon B 1 lies on average at a depth of 70-80 cm, but sometimes it can go even lower. A characteristic morphological feature of leached chernozems is the presence under horizon B 1 of horizon B 2 leached from carbonates. This horizon has a clearly expressed brownish color, humus streaks and smudges, and a nutty-prismatic or prismatic structure. The transition to the next horizon - BC or C - is usually distinct, and the boundary is distinguished by the accumulation of carbonates in the form of lime mold, veins.
The main genera are common, weakly differentiated, carbonate-free, deep-gley, merged.
Chernozems are typical. Usually they have a deep humus profile (90-120 cm and even more) and contain carbonates in the humus layer in the form of mycelium or calcareous tubules. Carbonates appear more often from a depth of 60-70 cm. For a more detailed morphological characterization of the humus layer, two horizons transitional in humus color - AB 1 and B 1 - are distinguished below horizon A.
Horizon AB 1 is dark gray with a faint, brownish tinge downwards, and B 1 is already distinguished by a distinct brown tint. In the lower part of the AB 1 horizon, or most often in the B 1 horizon, carbonate efflorescences are visible.
Horizon B 2 (BC) and the rock contain carbonates in the form of mycelium, calcareous tubules and cranes.
They are divided into the following genera: Ordinary, non-carbonate, deep-boiling, carbonate solod.
Chernozems of the steppe zone
Chernozems in the steppe zone are represented by ordinary and southern chernozems.
Chernozems are ordinary. Horizon A is dark gray or black, with a distinct granular or lumpy-granular structure., 30-40 cm thick. Gradually passes into horizon B 1 - dark gray with a clear brownish tint, with a lumpy or lumpy-prismatic structure. Most often, the thickness of the humus layer in ordinary chernozems is 65-80 cm.
Below horizon B 1 lies the horizon of humus streaks B 2, which often coincides with the carbonate illuvial horizon or very quickly passes into it. The carbonates here are in the form of white-eye. This feature distinguishes ordinary chernozems from the previously considered subtypes.
The subtype of ordinary chernozems is divided into genera: ordinary, carbonate, solonetzic, deep-boiling, poorly differentiated and solod.
Southern chernozems occupy the southern part of the steppe zone and directly border on dark chestnut soils.
Horizon A, 25-40 cm thick, has a dark gray or dark brown color, often with a slight brown tint, and a lumpy structure. Horizon B 1 is characterized by a clear brownish-brown color and a lumpy-prismatic structure. The total thickness of the humus layer (A + B 1) is 45-60 cm.
In the illuvial carbonate horizon, the white-eye is usually clearly expressed. The effervescence line is located in the lower part of horizon B 1 or at the boundary of the humus layer.
Southern chernozems are subdivided into the following genera: ordinary, solonetsous, carbonate, deep-boiling, weakly differentiated, and solodized.
All experienced and novice summer residents know that black soil is the most fertile soil. No one can replace her mineral fertilizers because it was created by nature itself. Chernozem can be called a living organism that cannot be created artificially. It takes several hundred years to turn mineral and organic substances into nutrient soil, which plants then use for their development.
Today, many companies are engaged in the supply of this land. A clear understanding of this soil will help you make the right choice from the whole variety of offers. You need to know the main features of the chernozem and its differences from other soils.
Chernozem - what kind of soil is this?
Based on the name, this land can be identified by its black color. Also distinguishing features are the structure and the specific smell that appears due to the content a large number humus. This is an organic substance that is formed during the decay of plant residues.
The fertility of the soil is just the same due to the content of humus. The more it is, the better it is. Depending on the type of chernozem, the amount of humus may be different. Typically, this figure ranges from 3-15%, which is considered the norm.
Chernozem soil properties
1. Due to its composition, black soil always has a more or less black color, which is a typical feature. The darker it is, the more humus in the soil.
2. The average thickness of the black soil is 60-140 centimeters.
3. The soil contains soluble nutrients and responds favorably to moisture and heat.
4. Chernozem contains a record amount of humus and calcium, therefore it is very fertile. In addition, the composition is balanced, easily absorbed by plants and does not harm them.
5. differs in lumpiness and granularity. As a result, it is resistant to compaction, washout, weathering and crusting. Through such soil, the root system of plants receives the optimal amount of moisture and air. But still, some experts believe that it is not loose enough. Therefore, it is recommended to add peat or sand to the black soil.
Characteristics and composition of the earth
- High calcium content - 70%.
- A significant amount of humic acids - up to 15%.
- Magnesium - up to 20%.
- Nitrogen, iron, phosphorus, sulfur and other nutrients are contained in smaller quantities.
All this gives the chernozem excellent water-air qualities and neutral acidity, less often slightly alkaline.
Chernozem coloring
The color of the soil changes depending on its chemical composition, humidity and It is always worth paying attention to the color, because it is the most accessible sign for observation.
Three groups of elements are considered the most important. Humic substances color the earth in black, dark gray tones. Manganese and iron give red and brown hues. A reddish-orange or yellow color indicates the presence of iron compounds in the soil.
Chernozem has a whitish color, when decomposition products of the mineral component are washed out in it, salinization processes occur. This means that the composition contains kaolin, gypsum, magnesium, silica and calcium carbonate.
Varieties of chernozem
Experts divide the black soil into five types depending on the climatic zone.
1. Leached. It is formed in the forest-steppe zone as a result of decay of forb-grass plants.
2. Ordinary. Inherent for formed after the death of various herbs.
3. Podzolized. Found in broad-leaved grassy forests.
4. Southern. It is formed in the process of decomposition of fescue-feather grass vegetation. Can be seen in the steppe zones of the southern regions.
5. Typical. The formation of this soil occurs on loams after the death of forb-cereal crops growing in forest-steppes and meadows.
It should be noted that the most fertile of these is the southern type of chernozem. This is due to the highest proportion of humus in its composition, which allows you to consistently get good yields. Because of this feature, the southern soil is most valued by summer residents and farmers.
Chernozem is also distinguished by the thickness of the humus layer.
1. Low power and medium. The depth of humus is 25-70 centimeters.
2. Powerful. The humus is removed from the surface by 0.7-1.2 meters.
3. Heavy duty. Humus can be found at a depth of 1.2-1.5 meters.
The people distinguish the following types of chernozem: sandy, clayey and loamy, which consists of sand, clay and loam.
Formation of chernozem soil
For the formation of fertile soil, several factors are needed. First of all, these are moderate or temperate continental climatic conditions. There should be a sufficient amount of organic matter and microorganisms in the soil. Hydrological conditions should be such that periods of wetness and dryness alternate. The soil must be on a certain breed (often a forest).
All these criteria are met by the chernozem in the Moscow region and other central regions, in Western Siberia and the Volga region. This does not mean that other areas are doomed to a bad harvest. If the land on the site is poor loamy or light sandy, you can buy fertile soil.
Improvement of soil properties
There are measures that allow you to get a high yield even on poor soils. At the same time, when growing flowers, ornamental plantings, fruits and vegetables, it is important not to violate the culture of agriculture. One day you can't bring quality soil and do nothing else, hoping that the plants will take care of themselves.
Experienced summer residents and farmers know that fresh black soil in bags does not need fertilizer. For the formation good harvest it has enough potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. However, it should be borne in mind that these reserves will last the earth for a maximum of three years. Each time, to ensure their functions, plants will be pulled from the soil useful material until she is completely depleted.
Already in the second year after the importation of black soil, it is recommended to apply natural fertilizers to the soil in order to maintain the fertility of crops. For these purposes, humus, compost and ash are successfully used. But after three years, it is still better to re-enrich your site with black soil.
How to distinguish black soil from other soils?
Chernozem soil has several features by which it is easy to distinguish it from other types of soil. The first thing that catches your eye is the color. It should be dark, even bright black. Secondly, you should pay attention to the structure. Chernozem is a coarse-grained soil in which clods of earth can occur.
You can also do small tests. Wet the soil and see how it behaves. Even after a long time, it will remain wet, and the consistency will resemble clay. Or take a handful of earth in your hand and squeeze it in your palm. Chernozem soil will leave a dark and oily trail. It is on these grounds that the most fertile soil is determined.
The use of fertile land
Since chernozem is a very valuable land, it is used for various purposes. For planting vegetables, cereals, fodder crops, cultivation of vineyards, berry fields and orchards in general. This land is filled with greenhouses, greenhouses, greenhouses and pots for forcing flower plants. Chernozem soil is also laid for landscaping. shopping centers, office areas, landscape design cottages, country houses and dachas.
The introduction of fertile soil also improves such physiological properties of the earth as density and water permeability. But chernozem on clay and heavy soils is usually ineffective. It is best used on light sandy loams. When planting plants, it is recommended to gradually lay fertile land in the hole.
The variety of plants in the area is very important. The richer their species composition, the more structured the soil will become. This is especially true for loose chernozem. Therefore, experts advise having in your garden not only annual vegetables, but also garden shrubs and trees.
How much black soil should be mixed into the soil? Usually this ratio is 3:1. This soil is suitable for almost all plants. It is also usually brought to sites that are re-developed after construction.
Eco farming
Today, more and more agronomists are switching to this method of growing products. Its meaning is to respect the soil, use only organic fertilizers And biological methods pest control. The yield of environmentally friendly crops will directly depend on the properties of the land.
You can go the hard way - conduct laboratory tests and determine which substances are lacking in the soil. But it will be easier, of course, to deliver black soil to the site in bags or on trucks. Such soil has all the necessary minerals, is combined with different soils and can be applied at any time.
Buying soil
Today you can find many ads for the sale of fertilizers and soil. Some of them attract low cost. But here you need to be careful. An unscrupulous seller may, under the guise of black soil, offer low-grade soil with a low humus content. But such a deception is easy to uncover - the soil will be too light in color.
It is also worth paying attention to the purity of the earth. It should be free of debris and foreign matter. Of course, they reduce the cost, but also increase labor costs. "Dirty" black soil will have to be sifted or sorted out manually.
Many are lost in the question of how much soil to buy. But it's not difficult at all. Determine the area to be covered with earth. One cube of black soil will weigh approximately one ton.
Price
On average, a ton of land, including delivery, will cost about five hundred rubles. But the more you order black soil, the cheaper it will cost. So, when buying 15 tons, its price may drop to 350 rubles per ton.
For summer cottages, of course, relatively smaller volumes are needed. In stores you can find bags of fifty or forty liters. For packaged black soil, the price fluctuates around two hundred to three hundred rubles. However, the cost can vary greatly depending on the region.
Chernozem can be considered a universal soil, which is suitable for planting flowers, and for growing fruit crops, and for laying the landscape. But fertile soil is not a panacea. In any case, you will have to make at least a little effort to get a decent result.
