1. For Ukrainian chernozems, mouldboard ploughing is an inappropriate method of soil tillage. It effectively disrupts biological cycling of major nutrients, reduces the humification coefficients of organic fertilizers and results ultimately in extensive dehumification with loss of soil fertility. Essentially, the practice runs contrary to the natural processes of soil formation. 2. Soil tillage that does not involve inversion of the furrow slice is much more in keeping with natural soil formation processes. In Ukrainian chernozems it maintains or extends the process of humification in crop production systems. 3. The self-regulating processes that promote fertility in Ukrainian chernozems involve the assimilation of carbon dioxide and carbonic acid from the soil by heterotrophic micro-organisms and creation of new protein-like substances. These substances restore the nutritive properties of soil humus, which decline during crop growth, and also improve other properties and behavior of soils. 4. A better understanding of the self-regulatory processes involved in maintaining soil fertility allows control and management of soil formation processes in agroecosystems through consideration of tillage systems, fertilization practices and land improvement, with considerable savings in money and labour.
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