Chernozem soils: characteristics and content of humus, use

Chernozem soils are a special type of soil that contains a lot of humus and has a dark color. It is formed on loess-like loams and clays in subboreal and temperate continental climates. This occurs with a non-flushing or periodically flushing water regime under perennial grasses. Chernozems contain 6-9% humus and a lot of calcium. In addition, they have excellent moisture-absorbing and water-retaining properties.

How to distinguish black soil from other soils?

Chernozems are characterized by unique features of the soil profile.They are characterized by a lumpy or granular structure. Also, the lands differ in water-air properties. The soil absorbing complex contains 70-90% calcium. It is also characterized by a neutral reaction, high natural fertility and pronounced humification.

To distinguish black soil from other types of soil, you should use the following methods:

1. Examine appearance. The color of the chernozem should be rich black or brown. Other types of soil may contain impurities of dust, sand, stones, plants.
2. To feel the ground. Real black soil should be heavy. Peat has a loose structure. At the same time, it contains lumps of undecomposed plants.
3. Water the ground. If there is time, the soil needs to be wetted. Real black soil will become sticky and slippery, like clay. As it dries, it will acquire a hard structure, and cracks will appear on the surface.
4. Set the ground on fire. Dry ground can be tested with fire. Fertile soil will not burn. This will ignite the peat.

By origin, fertile soil resembles peat. However, the peat mass has a looser structure. In addition, it is characterized by the presence of plant remains that have not decomposed, and the ability to quickly absorb water.

Pros and cons

The main advantage of black soil is considered to be a high degree of fertility. This soil does not need additional cultivation and is suitable for growing any crops. In addition, it allows you to get high yields and ennoble poor soil.

The main features of such soil include the following:

1. High humus content. This substance includes many of the nutrients that plants require.The soil contains a large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. These substances are very important for the full development of crops. The chemical and physical processes that take place in the black soil lead to the fact that valuable substances from humus are fully absorbed.
2. Loose structure. This is due to the high content of humus. Thanks to this, the soil is perfectly saturated with oxygen and improves the respiration of the root system of vegetation.
3. High nutrient content. The organic components of humus provoke the adhesion of mineral fragments of the earth. Therefore, sausages of an oily structure can be formed from chernozem. When gluing sand and clay, fertile soil is formed. Thanks to this, it perfectly retains nutrients and gives them to cultivated plants.
4. Generation of heat. The chemical processes that take place in the chernozem are capable of generating heat and warming up the soil for the root system of plants. An excellent addition to chemical heating is the attraction of sunlight by the dark color of black soil.This provides comfort for the root system. Thanks to this, plants develop well.

The disadvantages of such soil include the following:

1. Degradation in the absence of systematic feeding. Nutrients need to be constantly replenished.
2. Unsuitable for use in its pure form for flowers and vegetables. They do not have powerful roots, which leads to compaction of the earth. Therefore, it is recommended to add sand, peat or compost to the composition of the substrate. These substances help loosen the soil.
3. Unsuitable for terrain with unsuitable climatic conditions. In this case, even with the systematic application of fertilizers, the chernozem quickly degrades. This is due to the washing water regime.

Soil formation conditions

Specific conditions are required for the formation of black soil. These include the following:

1. Wave-flat relief - it should include river terraces, depressions, ravines.
2. Carbonate source rocks - these include loesses and loess-like loams.
3. Non-flushing or periodically flushing water regime - in this case, consistent drying and moistening of the soil is observed.
4. Dense vegetation with strong roots - their average depth should be 50-100 centimeters. In winter and spring, plants absorb precipitation, and in spring they saturate the soil with moisture. Humus, which is formed after meadow and steppe vegetation, consists of 80% of the roots. They increase the content of humus.
5. The participation of microorganisms and invertebrates in the ecosystem - they provide soil loosening and increase its fertility.
6. Temperate or temperate continental climate.
7. Average evaporation of moisture - it should be up to 25%.
8. The average annual temperature is +3-70 degrees.
9. Average rainfall 350-550 millimeters.
10. Closed location of groundwater - they help improve air exchange, stimulate the process of plant decomposition, moisten the soil and saturate it with nutrients. Roots receive moisture and useful substances, penetrate the earth and improve air exchange in the soil layers, which favorably affects their structure.

The combined effect of these factors causes the decomposition of plants and the formation of humus, which accumulates in the upper layers of the soil. As a result, a chernozem horizon with unique characteristics is formed.This process has been going on for hundreds of years. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that there are different types of such soils - in particular, meadow-chernozem, which are often solonetzic.

Varieties of chernozems

Chernozem soils can have different types, each of which has certain characteristics.

Leached

This subtype of chernozems is formed in forest zones - closer to the northern regions. It is formed as a result of the decomposition of cereals and forb-cereal crops. For such lands, the severity of soil horizons and the content of 6-10% humus in the composition are characteristic. The leached soil is also high in calcium and magnesium.

Podzolized

Such soil is found in forest areas. It is formed in broad-leaved grassy forests and is distinguished by a siliceous structure. Such soil consists of 5-8% humus. Soil acidity parameters are close to neutral.

Typical

This soil is formed in loam, forest-steppe, meadow-steppe zones. Its formation is due to the decomposition of cereals and herbs. The composition of the soil includes 8-15% humus.

Southern

Such chernozem is formed in the steppe zones. It is formed against the background of the dying off of fescue-feather grass plants. The layers of this type of soil contain 4-6% humus.

When is it used?

Chernozem is the most fertile land. That is why it has been widely used in economic activity. The soil is characterized by high natural fertility. At the same time, the plowing of the soil is considered to be very high. In some regions it reaches 60-70%.

The main direction of agriculture on such soils is grain.Chernozems are suitable for growing corn, winter and spring wheat. Large areas are allocated for technical plants - tobacco, sunflower, sugar beet. Meat and dairy cattle breeding has received no less development.

It is important to take into account that arable soils are subject to water and wind erosion, overconsolidation, and dehumification. If chernozem is used in agriculture, it is important to take measures to accumulate and retain moisture in the soil and protect the soil from erosive processes. To get high yields, it is imperative to make mineral and organic top dressings.

Chernozem soils are highly fertile. They contain a lot of humus and allow you to get consistently high yields. At the same time, it is important to systematically apply nutrients and protect land from erosion.

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