Evolution of soils of the solonetzic complex in the northern Caspian semidesert under rainfed agroforest reclamation

摘要

Based on the long-term (since 1951) monitoring of the properties and regimes of soils composing the solonetzic complex reclaimed in the system of forest shelterbelts, the fact of developing of specific anthropogenic soils is established. Trench plowing and additional snow accumulation by forest strips improve the water permeability and provide periodic percolation of water through the soils and the development of desalkalinization and desalinization of solonchakous solonetzes, along with changes in their humus status, morphology, and kind of gypsum neoformations. Meadow-chestnut soils become saline in the zone of the capillary fringe due to the intense moisture consumption by tree roots and exhaustion of the fresh-water lenses. The long-term agricultural use of these soils results in changes in the reserves and quality of soil humus. The formation of agrozems reduces the heterogeneity of the soil cover. A flexible system of management is needed to raise the soil fertility.