1.5.19. Почвоведение

The research was conducted between 2023 and 2026 in a long-term field experiment on an erosion-prone slope with a steepness of up to 3.5–4° in a ravine area of the Aksaysky District, Rostov Region. The soil is moderately eroded, moderately thick, low-humic, heavy-loamy ordinary carbonate chernozem on loess-like loam. The oil flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cultivar VNIIMK 620 was studied in a five-field crop rotation. The following soil tillage methods and fertilization backgrounds were investigated: Factor A included moldboard plowing, chisel tillage, and combined tillage; Factor B included N0P0K0 (unfertilized control), N40P40K40 (moderate level), and N80P80K80 (high level). The aim of this work was to evaluate the fertility of moderately eroded ordinary chernozems under oil flax cultivation to achieve high and sustainable yields. As an integral indicator of fertility, the humus content was monitored; without fertilization, it decreased by 5.4–7.4 relative percent. The application of the moderate fertilizer rate maintained the humus content at the baseline level (3.84–3.90%), while the treatment with the high fertilizer rate showed a slight increase in its content (up to 3.95–3.96%). In the unfertilized treatments, available phosphorus content decreased by 6.6–7.4%, and exchangeable potassium decreased by 20.0–30.2%. The application of the moderate rate of mineral fertilizers (N40P40K40) under oil flax helped maintain the available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium content at an elevated level. Doubling the fertilizer application rate (N80P80K80) contributed to an increase in P2O5 and K2O content, reaching "high" and "elevated" ratings, respectively. The content of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen in the arable soil layer in the unfertilized treatments was evaluated as very low (4.8–5.9 and 5.5–7.5 mg/kg). The application of moderate and high nitrogen fertilization rates led to an increase in nitrate nitrogen content by 23.7–34.7% and 52.8–81.6%, and ammonium nitrogen by 37.5–82.2% and 94.5–237.2% relative to the control, respectively. Soil tillage methods had no significant effect on changes in the content of humus and primary nutrients.

The results of studies on the current state of the soil cover of the spits along the coast of the Taganrog Bay of the Sea of Azov are presented, using the Beglitskaya and Sazalnikskaya spits as examples. It has been revealed that the soil cover of accumulative coastal forms is characterized by complexity and mosaicity in the formation of various alluvial soils, which is due to a combination of soil-forming conditions (patterns of sedimentation, the structure of the bedrock coast, the age of the coastal ridges, the level and salinity of groundwater, wind-driven phenomena, etc.) and anthropogenic impact. Based on comprehensive expeditionary studies by the Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2020-2025, it was found that the main type of soils are layered sandy soils on soil-forming rocks of various genesis, alluvial-meadow, meadow-alluvial, alluvial soils and salt marshes are also widespread. Anthropogenic pressure on soils, associated with increasing recreational activity, grazing pressure, processing industries, and the extraction of shell and sand material, has a significant negative impact on the soil cover of the spits of the Sea of Azov. This contributes to the development of various degradation processes: water and wind erosion, soil compaction, dehumification, waterlogging, salinization, etc. Soils of coastal formations are characterized by the manifestation of the main five types of degradation, associated with a complex of causes. The combined manifestation of various types of degradation is often observed in soils with a small thickness of genetic horizons, as well as in soils with a light granulometric composition. For soils in coastal landscapes with accumulative coastal forms, the manifestation of the main five types of degradation is typical; moreover, their combined occurrence is often observed in soils with a small thickness of genetic horizons and a light granulometric composition

An initial assessment of the basic properties of biochar produced from plant and paper waste is essential to evaluate its potential use and the impact of its incorporation into soil. The study examined the properties of biochar generated through pyrolysis using used paper, a combination of herbs, and Saccharina japonica, in accordance with the standards of the IBI international quality. Pyrolysis of used paper lasted for 1 hour at 800 degrees Celsius, while pyrolysis of the mixture of herbs and Saccharina japonica lasted 1 hour at 500 degrees. Biochar produced from used paper had the lowest yield (31.5%) and batteries (NPK), and the highest pH (12.47), compared to biochar derived from the combination of herbs and Saccharina. The highest values for batteries (NPK) and Sorg (52.42%) were obtained for biochar made from the herb mixture. The concentration of heavy metals in all three types of biochars did not exceed acceptable levels. If the obtained biochars are used as soil improvers, caution should be taken when applying them to slightly alkaline and alkaline soils. All three types of biochars have an alkaline reaction and can lead to an increase in the alkalinity of the soil. The addition of biochar to acidic soils can help to reduce their acidity, while the introduction of biochar from a mixture of herbs and Saccharina japonica can also enrich the soil with essential plant nutrients.

Green roof technology has become an important component of nature-based solutions aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability and climate resilience of urban areas. This review synthesizes current advances in green roof technology, with particular emphasis on classification, historical development, structural design, substrate composition, vegetation selection, and regional adaptation strategies. The review draws upon an analysis of Russian and international scientific literature, regulatory documents (GOST R 58875-2020 and the FLL Guidelines), and studies published between 1992 and 2025 The review examines the main types of green roofs, their structural components, substrate design principles, and current approaches to vegetation selection. Particular attention is given to the engineering and ecosystem functions of green roofs, including stormwater retention, mitigation of building heat loads, reduction of the urban heat island effect, and enhancement of urban biodiversity. The review also considers emerging hybrid technologies integrating green roofs with rainwater harvesting and photovoltaic systems, as well as approaches to adapting green roof design and plant communities to the climatic conditions of the Russian Federation. The analysis demonstrates that the performance of green roofs depends on the interaction between engineering design, substrate properties, and well-adapted vegetation. Future advances in green roof technology will require region-specific design strategies that account for local environmental and climatic conditions.

The article presents data from lysimetric studies conducted between 1981 and 2025 on the influence of soil type and granulometric composition of the most common soils in Belarus on the yield and quality of individual agricultural crops (potato, barley, maize, buckwheat, millet) cultivated during vegetation periods with varying degrees of moisture. The study demonstrates changes in the yield and qualitative indicators of agricultural crops of the same variety across vegetation periods differing in moisture levels (for the period from May to September).

A promising analytical review, the purpose of which is to substantiate the possibility of applying a new interdisciplinary approach based on the concept of "life as computation" to study the complex dynamics of soil processes. The first part of the review examines the potential of applying the metaphor and methodological framework of the concept of "life as computation" to the fundamental problems of modern soil science related to abiotic soil degradation, organic matter dynamics and the impact of climate change. Based on the analysis of current sources, modern challenges are systematized, including erosion, salinization, over-compaction, dehumidification and transformation of the water-thermal regime of soils. Based on an integrative analysis combining the methods of theoretical biology, bioinformatics and information theory, it is shown that an approach is applicable to soil that interprets it as a computer network where biological and chemical processes represent algorithmic interactions. This opens up opportunities for developing more accurate predictive models. These models can be used to optimize agricultural practices and manage soil resources.

Continuation of the analytical review devoted to substantiating the feasibility and limitations of the concept of "life as a computation" in relation to the systematic analysis of key soil processes and solving urgent problems of modern soil science. The second part of the review is devoted to the analysis of the applicability of the concept of "life as computation" to research tasks that lie at the intersection of soil biology, anthropogenic transformation and big data processing methods. The object of the analysis is the problems of biodiversity conservation, functioning of urbanized soils, optimization of land use and modern monitoring (GIS, remote sensing, AI). It is shown that the soil microbial community can be considered as a distributed network structure implementing the principles of "biocomputation" through metabolic pathways and horizontal gene transfer. Special attention is paid to the role of rhizospheric interactions as channels of information exchange in the soil-plant system. It discusses how artificial intelligence and machine learning methods used to classify soils (including urban ones) and predict their properties are actually a "meta-level" analysis of the computational abilities of the pedosphere. It is shown that the concept of "life as computation" opens up new perspectives for system analysis and modeling of soil processes, however, its application requires taking into account the emergent properties of biological systems; in general, the integration of this concept into soil science contributes to the formation of a new methodological framework that meets the anthropocene challenges.

After the operation complete, sludge reservoirs become secondary sources of pollution for adjacent environments. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, the content of 12 priority PAHs was studied in the soils of a former sludge reservoir located in the floodplain of the Seversky Donets River, within the drained Lake Atamanskoe area. It was shown that the median total PAH content is 5520 ng/g, exceeding background values by 16 times. The soils are characterized by an extremely hazardous level of contamination, with the greatest contribution to pollution made by benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and dibenzo(g,h,i)perylene.

A pot experiment using a sand culture with Pryanishnikov’s nutrient mixture was conducted to study cellular-level changes in winter wheat plants during initial growth stages under copper ion contamination and the application of humic fertilizers. The article presents morphometric and cytometric observations of the roots and leaf blades of 14-day-old winter wheat seedlings (cv. DonEco). The results demonstrate that the tested humic fertilizers exerted a positive effect on seedling growth and development under copper stress, effectively mitigating the toxicant's impact. Humates significantly influenced the root system, increasing both root length and number regardless of copper presence. While copper contamination caused substantial deformations of the root cortex and stele, as well as alterations in epiblema cell shape, these toxic effects were reduced by the addition of humic fertilizers. The leaf blades were less susceptible to excess copper, maintaining their structural integrity without significant deformation.

Research was conducted to assess the mineral nitrogen content and urease activity in ordinary carbonate chernozem soil (Haplic Chernozem) following the application of humic fertilizers. The humic fertilizers used were potassium humate from peat and leonardite activated by a microbiological preparation. The experiment was conducted in 2023–2024 at the Rostov Agrarian Research Center in the Azov zone of the Rostov Region. The study covered two growing seasons with contrasting weather conditions: one with excess moisture at the beginning of the season and subsequent precipitation deficit (2023) and an extremely dry and hot season (2024). This allowed for an assessment of the effects of humic substances on the nitrogen regime of chernozem soil under varying hydrothermal stresses. It was established that the effect of humic fertilizers on the nitrogen regime is indirect and largely determined by the weather conditions of the year, primarily the moisture regime. Under favorable or moderately stressful conditions, they act as activators of biological processes, increasing the efficiency of soil resource and mineral fertilizer use. Under extreme drought conditions, their role shifts toward maintaining soil fertility and the stability of the agroecosystem by improving the soil's physicochemical properties. This makes the use of humic fertilizers, and particularly those based on leonardite, strategically important.

Flood irrigation used in rice cultivation represents a large-scale and rather aggressive intervention in soil hydrology, chemistry, and ecology; therefore, assessing its consequences remains highly relevant. Dark chestnut soil under rice crop rotation was studied in 2002 and again in 2023, twenty years after irrigation had ceased. Noticeable changes were recorded already during field observations. Morphologically, they included a pronounced upward shift of the depth of effervescence with 10% HCl (from 40 cm to the surface), an upward shift of the horizon with carbonate accumulations (beloglazka) (from 117 cm to 32 cm), the occurrence of fine gypsum crystals throughout the soil profile, and the development—below 110 cm—of a gypsum accumulation horizon composed of large crystals and drusy aggregates, including swallowtail (twinned) forms.

The article presents the results of a study and calculation of soil organic carbon stocks in sealed areas of the cities of Rostov-on-Don, Aksay, and Bataysk. Special attention is given to the justification of the soil layer thickness that should be considered when calculating soil organic carbon stocks. Based on the analysis of soil organic carbon profile distribution in buried soil horizons and their comparison with analogous horizons of zonal Chernozems, as well as on the calculation of the mean depth of the parent material (197 ± 19 cm), the lower boundary for sealed soils was set at 200 cm. This depth makes it possible to account for the entire humus-accumulative profile and obtain more comprehensive results. The mean soil organic carbon content amounted to 1.70 ± 1.86% and 0.75 ± 0.55% for the upper technogenic and buried horizons, respectively. Specific stocks (per unit area) of organic carbon in the studied layer of sealed soils of the Rostov agglomeration averaged 178.18 ± 24.11 t/ha. The contribution of the upper transformed Urbic (UR) horizons to the total carbon pool was estimated at 30–40% (73.13 ± 63.57 t/ha). The obtained data provides an assessment of the scale of organic carbon reserves in urbanized environments and their contribution to the overall carbon pool. The results of the study may be useful for understanding the processes of accumulation and transformation of organic carbon in urban conditions, as well as for developing measures aimed at conserving and restoring soil organic carbon in urbanized areas.

This paper presents the research results on the effect of chemically modified biochar on the morphometric parameters of spring wheat in a vegetation experiment. It was found that biochar saturated with superphosphate (B+Pс) exhibited a synergistic effect. Its application at rates of 60 and 90 kg/ha resulted in an increase in shoot length by 24.0% and 30.0%, respectively. The B+Pс/60 treatment showed the maximum root length (16.8 cm) and root mass (2.25 g), indicating enhanced phosphorus availability and improved root growth conditions. The application of a high dose (150 kg/ha) was found to be impractical. The use of unmodified biochar showed a lesser effect. The use of superphosphate-saturated biochar will allow for a reduction in mineral fertilizer rates without a loss of efficiency. The obtained results should be evaluated in a field experiment.

In the vegetation experiment, the growth-stimulating effect of various doses of innovative «NanoSilicon» nanosilicon fertilizer was evaluated when growing Agrofac winter wheat on ordinary carbonate chernozem. Studies have shown that the treatment of winter wheat seeds with «NanoSilicon» at a dose of 300 g/t increased the growth rate by 8,0 % and the biomass of seedlings by 10,0 %. At the same time, the treatment of seeds with nano-fertilization at a dose of 450 g/t had the greatest effect on the length of winter wheat shoots. The growth-stimulating activity of «NanoSilicon» at a dose of 600 g/t has not been recorded. The studied biometric indicators in this variant were at or below the control level. The results showed that the treatment of winter wheat seeds with «NanoSilicon» at a dose of 300 g/t is the most effective not only for increasing germination, but also for stimulating initial growth and accumulation of biomass in the early stages of winter wheat ontogenesis, which in the future may create the basis for the formation of higher plant productivity.

The article presents the results of a study on the effect of IZAGRI fertilizers on the yield and fruit quality of apple trees in the Priazovye natural-agricultural zone of the Rostov region in 2024. The soil of the experimental plot was a weakly humus, clayey, carbonate-rich ordinary chernozem formed on yellow-brown clays. The study examined two apple cultivars: Santana and Gala Dark. IZAGRI fertilizers demonstrated cultivar-specific effects: in Santana, they increased yield (by 1.3 t/ha) while reducing average fruit weight under higher fruit load conditions; in Gala Dark, they improved fruit size while decreasing the average number of fruits per tree without significantly affecting yield. No significant differences in biochemical composition or marketable fruit quality were found between the treated and control groups for either cultivar. The obtained results suggest that foliar fertilization with IZAGRI can be recommended for intensive apple orchards grown on ordinary chernozems. For the Gala Dark cultivar, the effectiveness of the fertilizers requires further clarification, considering economic feasibility.

The article is devoted to the assessment of the effect of liquid mineral fertilizers on the dynamics of mineral nitrogen in ordinary chernozem when growing winter wheat using the resource-saving soil-protective no-till technology for 2023-2024. In the production experiment, LCF 11:37 was used at doses of 100, 150 and 200 l / ha against the background of two top dressings of CAM -32 in the spring tillering and tube emergence phases of 200 and 150 l / ha, respectively. The use of CAM -32 and LCF 11:37 in winter wheat crops allow to improve the nitrogen regime of ordinary chernozem and more fully realize the genetic potential of the high-yielding Alekseich variety. The maximum yield was obtained with the application of LCF at a dose of 200 l / ha against the background of two top dressings - 36.9 c / ha, which is 62.0% higher than the control. The results of the study indicate the need to use liquid fertilizers and urea nitrogen to increase the productivity of winter wheat agrocenoses in the no-till system.

The paper presents the results of a study on model soil sites of 30 km of the observation zone of the Rostov NPP. In Gleyic Fluvisols soil on alluvial buried sediments in a 0-10 cm layer, when selected using a 10 by 10 m grid, the coefficients of variation are: humus content - 33%, pH - 2%, cation exchange capacity - 12%, physical clay content - 6%, specific activity ¹³⁷Cs - 68%. In Gleyic Kashtanozem, the humus content - 19%, the pH - 5%, the cation exchange capacity - 12%, the physical clay content - 3%, and the specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs - 28%. A strong positive correlation in Gleyic Fluvisols and Gleyic Kashtanozem soils is inherent in the specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs in relation to the content of humus, physical clay and EKO. A moderate negative correlation is observed in Gleyic Kashtanozem soil between the specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs and soil acidity. The same factor in Gleyic Fluvisols soil is characterized by a strong negative correlation (r=-0.77).

The article presents the results of a study on the vertical distribution of carbon, nitrogen, and metal elements in permafrost soils and parent materials on the central Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Soil samples were collected at three sampling sites in the permafrost affected region, with subsequently analysis of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and metal elements contents conducted at soil depths of 0–500 cm. Comparative analyses were conducted between shallow (0–100 cm) and deep (200–500 cm) soil layers. The results demonstrate significant differences in soil physicochemical properties between shallow (0–100 cm) and deep (200–500 cm) soil horizons. Metal concentrations vary widely along the soil profile, with significant positive correlations observed among most metal elements. Additionally, soil properties such as pH, C/N ratio, soil inorganic carbon, and electrical conductivity show negative correlations with metal elements. The findings indicate that the shallow soil layer is substantially altered by pedogenic processes and cryoturbation, whereas the deep soil layer primarily retains the characteristics of soil parent material, with metal redistribution regulated by long term low temperature and redox conditions. These results provide valuable new data for environmental monitoring in the cryosphere of central Eurasia.

Field full-scale experiments on approbation of leaf - and soil diagnostics at different vegetation stages of lawn grasses were conducted on the basis of the experimental station for studying soil constructions. It is shown that the gross content of N, P and K in the ground part of plants in the artificially supported tillering phase corresponds to the median values of these elements inherent in Festuca rubra. This fact proves that application of 5g N/m2, provides normal development of lawn grasses during the season, without provoking explosive growth of the above-ground part of plants in the spring-summer period. Despite the relatively high content of organic carbon (3.1%) in the root-habitat layer of individual structures, which can be considered sufficient for lawn grass growing conditions, there is still a deficit of available mineral forms of nitrogen, which emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to soil diagnostics to ensure the attractiveness of lawns.

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of liquid mineral fertilizers on the content of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in ordinary chernozem by the phases of pea development for 2022–2023. It has been established that the use of liquid mineral fertilizers (CAM-32 and LCF 11:37) when growing peas using no-till technology helps to improve the nitrogen regime of ordinary chernozem. The content of ammonium and nitrate nitrogen in the soil by the phases of pea development depends on the type of liquid mineral fertilizers and their dose. The greatest impact on the level of mineral nitrogen in the soil is provided by the combined use of CAM and LCF at a dose of 100 l/ha. Optimum conditions of the soil nitrogen regime in the fertilized variants were maintained throughout the entire period of pea vegetation, which confirms the prolonged action of LCF and CAM. The results obtained prove the feasibility of using liquid mineral fertilizers to increase the fertility of ordinary chernozems in the no-till system.