In the region where I live, there are several types of soil that differ in their fertility. Among them there are chernozems, which are the leader in terms of fertility. Now I will tell you what is so special about this soil.

Chernozem is the most fertile type of soil

Chernozem is black earth. Indeed, it is black. Therefore, many people who have lived their entire lives in a region with such soils are very surprised when they come to another region and see brown or yellow. Basically, chernozems are concentrated in the steppe and forest-steppe zones.

The high level of fertility of these soils is ensured due to the following characteristics:

• large number humus in the composition (5–15%);
• the presence of various microorganisms;
• grain.

Even in the distant past, black soils were the key to a good harvest. Soil properties such as theirs cannot be created artificially. No special fertilizers or minerals will make another soil as fertile. This is because it takes thousands of years to form black soils. They are formed under the influence of many natural factors, including climate conditions and biological characteristics. Such soil is inhabited by a large number of microorganisms, as well as worms, which contributes to the formation of a favorable environment for the growth of any plants.

Chernozems in the world

For Russia, chernozems are a real asset. Our country occupies a leading place in the world in terms of the number of such fertile lands. All territories with chernozems in Russia taken together account for 52% of the world's areas. Chernozems are also found in the following countries:

• Hungary;
• Bulgaria;
• Ukraine;
• Canada.

But Russian black soils have best composition. They contain more humus than the soils of other countries, which is a key factor in fertility. It is practiced to transport chernozem to other regions, for which a certain layer of soil is cut off. Many people think that in this way they can ensure fertility for a long time. for many years, but that's not true. The soil is gradually depleted, and within a few years it loses its fertility.

No one involved in agriculture would agree with the famous line, “Nature has no bad weather.” Climatic conditions can be very unfavorable for farming. The same goes for soils. Have black soil http://keramzit-pesok.ru/chernozem.html, good timely rains and sunny summer any gardener would be happy middle zone Russia. But if the situation with moisture and heat is different years changes, then with the land you have to be content with what you have or buy what you want from the relevant companies.

Which soils are the most fertile?

Russian gardeners are lucky in this regard. True, not for everyone, but only for those living in certain regions of the country. The most fertile soils in the world are chernozems. They are formed on loess-like loams. According to their own unique properties literally comparable to minerals: they are not found everywhere and are of great value. Their humus layer can be more than a meter thick, and in ravine forests up to four, which is a record absolutely unattainable for other types of soil.

Where are black soils located?

More than 50% of all world reserves are concentrated in Russia. Mainly in the zone from the middle and lower reaches of the Don and further east to Western Siberia. Voronezh black soil was even kept in Paris as a standard of fertility. In addition to Russians, Ukrainians are very rich. They occupy almost half the area of ​​this country and constitute approximately one twelfth of all existing in the world. There are chernozems not only in Eurasia, but also in the western USA, southern Canada, Argentina and Chile.

Soils are one of the main most valuable natural resources that Russia has. These are resources for agriculture and for forestry. Fertility and productivity are the most important factors economic development and economic use of a large number of different regions of Russia. These qualities make it possible for agricultural sectors and various enterprises involved in the production of a variety of food products and various raw materials to develop.

The disparate size of the territories that the country has, their vastness and extent, varied climatic conditions, differences in water regime and temperature characteristics, different geological structure and diversity of relief, the presence of completely dissimilar plant communities determined the formation of such various types soils in Russia.

Russia with enough large areas still does not have such a significant amount of land suitable for economic activity, as it might seem. About 10% of the country's territory is covered by tundra, which is essentially unproductive; 13% of the area is occupied by swamps or swamps. Only 13% of Russian lands are agricultural land, these are gardens and arable land, pastures and hayfields. Arable lands in the camp occupy only 7.7% of the entire territory. 52% of arable land is chernozems, which provide 80% of all agricultural products.

Gray and brown forest soils are also significant part agricultural production. They are the most fertile soils in the forest zone of Russia.

Gray forest soils

Gray forest soils are a type of soil that is common in temperate areas climate zone. They are formed predominantly under broad-leaved forests with grass cover communities and forest-steppes, in the presence of a sufficiently active leaching water regime on soil-forming parent rocks, such as moraines, cover loams, etc. They, as a rule, have a sufficient calcium content.

Under the layer of litter or forest litter there is a horizon of dark gray, humus-accumulative, its structure is fine-lumpy. The thickness of this layer is 15-30 centimeters; further down to a depth of half a meter lies a humus-eluvial horizon, in which there are more or less pronounced signs of podzolization. The brown illuvial horizon is located at a depth of up to 100 centimeters, which then at the level of 100-150 cm is replaced by an illuvial-carbonate layer. The latter passes into the soil-forming parent rock. The layer of the profile located at the top gives an acidic reaction, the part of the profile located below has a neutral and alkaline reaction.

Gray forest soils are divided into light gray, gray and dark gray. Light gray soils contain from 2% to 4% humus, they are the most podzolized, and the structure of these soils is very weak. Gray and dark gray forest soils contain humus up to 7-9%; they are less podzolized soils and have fairly good physical properties, these soils have significantly high and well-defined biological activity, their fertile qualities are better than those of light gray forest soils.

Gray forest soils are quite widespread throughout Russia, including the European part of the country and quite large areas in both Western and Eastern Siberia.

Gray forest soils have long been actively involved in agricultural production, they are used for growing various grains, they are productive for vegetable crops and technical. Horticulture develops on such lands. However, gray forest soils need only high quality Agriculture requires fertilizers, various mineral elements and organic substances; grass sowing has a positive effect.

Brown forest soils

Brown forest soils belong to that type of soil, the formation of which occurs under various forests: broad-leaved, mixed, less often coniferous forests of the temperate climate zone, in conditions of a rather warm and humid climate.

This type of soil is characterized by the accumulation of iron oxides, which cause the brown color of the soil layer, weak differentiation of horizon profiles, and the presence of clay formation processes. The structure of brown forest soils is lumpy and nutty. The humus horizon is well developed, the thickness of this layer reaches 20-30 centimeters. The humus content is high, reaching 10%. The soil reaction ranges from slightly acidic to acidic. Often these soils are podzolized.

Brown forest soils are characterized by high fertility. On the territory of Russia, these soils have spread to Far East, are present in Crimea and the foothills of the Caucasus.

In agricultural production, brown forest soils are well suited for growing tea and grapes, citrus fruits, many vegetables and a variety of fruit crops, some grains and feed crops.

The area of ​​arable land is constantly decreasing; it is being withdrawn from agricultural use for growing cities and the construction of reservoirs and roads, and industrial production.

Another problem of modern land use is the process of soil erosion. Often she has natural origin, but industrial and other human intervention increases this damage many times over. Soil like natural resource is easily destroyed, and the problem rational use soil resources is significant today.

The names of soil types come from the name climatic zones in which they were formed. In the taiga-forest zone there are podzolic And sod-podzolic; in forest-steppe and steppe - forest gray, black soils, chestnut; in the subtropical – red soils and yellow soils.

Many soils get their name from the color of their humus horizon: chernozem, gray forest, brown forest, podzol.

The soil on the surface of particles of clay, sand, and silt contains a large amount of iron compounds. It is because of the iron films on soil particles that it acquires its specific color. The presence of iron hydroxides gives soils various shades of reddish-brown or yellowish-brown. Black color soil acquires depending on the presence of humic acid in it.

• Black color – more than 7%

• Dark gray – 5...7%

• Gray – 3...5%

• Light gray – less than 3%

Podzolicsoil - common in the taiga zone. Where they grow coniferous forests. Top layer- forest litter, formed from fallen pine needles and branches. Below is a whitish layer that does not have a pronounced structure. Below it is a brown horizon, dense, with a high clay content, the structure is expressed in the form of large lumps.

As a result of the decomposition of pine needles, acids are formed, which, under conditions of excessive moisture, contribute to the decomposition of mineral and organic soil particles. Heavy rainfall, in turn, washes such soil and carries acid-dissolved substances from the upper humus layer to the lower horizons. As a result upper part soil takes on the whitish color of ash.

These soils are very acidic and therefore always require liming and the application of a full range of fertilizers. Podzolic soil contains only 1 to 4% humus.

In Russia, podzolic soils are common in Siberia and the Far East. Trees grow much better on such soils than crops.

Only at the base of the slopes, in humid places, are podzolic soils considered most suitable for vegetable growing. The soils of these places have a bluish color and a steely sheen when cut. However, they tend to be too wet and need to be drained.

Soddy-podzolic soils- This is a subtype of podzolic soils. They are formed under small-leaved forests mixed with coniferous species. In composition they are largely similar to podzolic soils. Under the forest floor there is a humus horizon, no more than 15...20 centimeters deep, having a dark brown color, followed by a barren whitish layer.

A characteristic feature of these soils is that they are washed out by water more slowly than podzolic soils, therefore they are more fertile, but they also require liming and fertilizer and can be used for growing vegetables only after improvement.

To do this, gradually, no more than 3...5 centimeters annually, deepen the arable layer and introduce a large amount of organic, mineral fertilizers and lime. Spring treatment Soddy-podzolic soil should be excavated to a shallower depth than in the autumn, so as not to turn the podzol to the surface.

Gray forest soils are formed in the territory of deciduous forests. An indispensable condition for the formation of such soils is the presence of a continental climate, grass vegetation and the presence of sufficient calcium (Ca). Thanks to this element, water is not able to destroy the soil structure by removing nutrients.

These soils are shades of gray. The humus content in gray forest soils ranges from 2 to 8 percent. The fertility of these soils is considered average.

Gray forest soils contain slightly more humus than podzolic soils. Despite a certain amount of calcium (Ca) reserves, they still have an acidic soil reaction and therefore require liming.

Brown forest soils are common in mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests. These soils are formed only in warm temperate climates. The soil color is brown. The top layer, about 5 centimeters thick, consists of fallen leaves. Beneath it there is a fertile layer up to 30 centimeters thick. Even lower is a layer of clay of 15...40 centimeters.

Brown soils are divided into several subtypes with a palette of shades of brown color, the formation of which occurs under the influence of ambient temperature.

Chestnut soils are common in steppes and semi-deserts. This soil has chestnut, light chestnut and dark chestnut colors. Accordingly, there are three subtypes of chestnut soil, differing in color.

On light chestnut soils, farming is possible only with abundant watering. Cereals and sunflowers grow well on dark chestnut soils without watering.

The chemical composition of chestnut soil is varied. The soil contains magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), which indicates a favorable acidity level (pH) for most plants.

Chestnut soil tends to recover quickly. Its thickness is maintained by annually falling grass. You can get good yields from it, provided there is sufficient moisture. Since the steppes are usually dry.

Chestnut soils in Russia are common in the Caucasus, the Volga region and Central Siberia.

Soddy soils are distributed mainly in Belarus, the Baltic states, the middle and northern
zones of Russia. They contain a lot of humus, and therefore are structural and fertile. According to the reaction of the soil environment, turf soils are slightly acidic or neutral.

Chernozems are recognized as a standard. They have an optimal granular structure, they contain a lot of humus, have a high content of nutrients and a neutral reaction of the soil environment. When planting a vegetable garden on black soil, you should apply fertilizer only to maintain balance. nutrients.

Voronezh black soil kept in the Paris Chamber of Weights and Measures, being the standard of agriculture.

Peat soils are located in the most humid places, occupy about 7% of the entire territory of Russia and are located mainly in the regions of the North-West, central Russia, Western Siberia and the Far East.

They are dark, almost black in color when wet. In the thickness you can always see the incompletely decomposed remains of plants. Under the peat layer lies a bluish clay horizon. Such soils are rich in organic matter, but lack some absolutely essential cultivated plants macro and microelements.

Due to their high moisture holding capacity, peat soils require good drainage.
Due to poor water permeability, when there is excess precipitation, they float with water.
Due to poor thermal conductivity, they warm up slowly in the spring, which delays the processing and sowing time.

They are also highly acidic and therefore require liming.

Peat soils are divided into several subtypes depending on the peat that forms them.

Lowland peat contains the most nitrogen, ash, lime, and is therefore slightly acidic. It lies in hollows, river valleys and depressions.

High peat significantly poorer in nitrogen and ash than the lowland, since it is located on a more high areas. There is very little lime in it, it is sour. High-moor peat is suitable for preparing composts.

Transitional peat It occupies an intermediate position in terms of nitrogen, ash and lime content.

Peat soils, after draining them, applying the necessary phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, as well as liming, are successfully used for growing vegetables.

Floodplain soils are formed in the floodplains of rivers. During spring river floods, a lot of silt settles on these soils, which makes them especially fertile. Floodplain soils have a neutral reaction of the soil environment and therefore rarely require liming. They are rich in phosphorus, but poor in potassium.

In the high part of the floodplain, sandy and loamy varieties of floodplain soils predominate. In terms of structure and nutrient reserves, they are inferior to the soils of the middle part of the floodplain, but they dry out faster, which makes it possible to begin cultivating them earlier. The groundwater lies deep here; when growing vegetables, it is necessary to organize irrigation.

Middle part The floodplain is represented mainly by loamy soil, which is characterized by a good granular structure and high fertility. Groundwater lies at a depth of 1.5 to 2 meters, which creates favorable water conditions for plants. These soils produce the highest yields of vegetables and potatoes.

In the lower part of the floodplain, the soils are also fertile, but heavy and excessively wet, which is explained by the high occurrence of groundwater(from 0.5 to 1.0 meters) and prolonged high water. These soils should be drained by arranging drainage ditches, after which they are suitable for growing late vegetable crops, especially cabbage.

Soil map of Russia and CIS countries

I never understood people who could devote an entire day to... garden work. Why can't you relax on the couch? But living in a private house means gardening and continuous work (clean up the yard, pull out weeds, take care of the lawn and flowers). Therefore, when the first opportunity arose, I immediately bought an apartment in the city. I forgot that I need to buy seedlings in the spring.

Now every summer I come to my grandfather and watch how he works without a break so that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren can eat the harvest from the garden. I I can't stand aside, I constantly help my grandfather. Today I dare to reveal the secrets of a successful harvest. Looking ahead, I’ll say that you need good soil.

Which soil is the most fertile: concepts

Rich soil- a similar phrase is very often said by “avid” gardeners, without fully understanding the main concepts. It is better to use the term fertile soil, which contains potassium, copper, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, humus, nitrogen and phosphorus. If the soil does not contain the above elements, it means that it is not fertile and is not suitable for growing crops.

Determine the exact composition of the soil on summer cottage possible using special analysis. The soil sample is sent to agrochemical laboratory(a similar analysis is done when a plot is taken for large-scale sowing of crops).

Chernozem is the most fertile soil

For a good harvest buy black soil. He has characteristic color and granular structure. It's called "black gold" » . The soil has high level fertility due to humus and calcium. Chernozem was recognized as the best soil and recharge for garden plants, vegetable crops. If there is no black soil on the site, and you don’t want to spend additional money on buying soil, what should you do? Except " black gold" we have others too fertile soils.

• sandy soil;

• loamy soil;

• sandy loam soil;

• swampy soil.

Important to know: marshy soil not used in pure form (because of increased acidity). It is used as a supplement.

Good harvest depends not only on the soil, but also from the hands of the owner. Please take this into account.