The effect of cultivation practices on the agrophysical properties of chernozem soils and the productivity of field crops

Introduction. Transformation of agrophysical parameters and fertility elements due to the minimization of tillage in crop rotation requires the development of highly effective cultivation practices. The methods. A short-term experiment examined the effects of alternating plowing at 25-27 cm depth with disc harrowing at 12-16 cm depth, combined with mineral nitrogen fertilizer and a complex microbiologically based NPK fertilizer, on changes in agrophysical parameters and fertility elements in leached chernozem. The goal of the research was to develop effective cultivation techniques that facilitate the creation of optimal physicochemical parameters for plant vegetation, based on alternating soil cultivation at different depths in crop rotation, combined with fertilizers, while adjusting their rates for the conditions of the southern foothill zone of Adygea. The results: insufficient water supply during periods of active water consumption, combined with exceeding the norms of daily and average daily air temperatures, contributed to the formation of a critical <20 mm and a negative reserve of productive moisture. The optimal absorption of atmospheric moisture in the form of rain was facilitated by the fact of soil loosening under oats, overwintering and winter wheat in layers. It was 0…10 and 10…25 cm, against the background of disk cultivation: for oats, wheat: 1.19 (in soybean crops); 1.07; 1.03 g/cm3. On average, the density indicators of the studied layers were as follows: 0…10 cm – 1.1; 10…25 cm – 1.17; 30…40 cm – 1.29 g/cm³ did not go beyond the optimal values for crop rotation crops. A greater amount of agronomically valuable aggregates (10-0.25 mm) was formed in the 0-10 cm layer – 49.3 %, while their amount in the 10-25 and 30-40 cm layers, compared to the 0–10 cm seed layer, decreased by 27.75 %, 37.28 %, and 37.28 %, respectively. Conclusion. The proposed method contributed to the creation of optimal soil characteristics and an increase in crop productivity by 11.2-15.4-24.9 %. In the best case scenario, with the application of ammonium nitrate at 162.4 kg/ha, active ingredient N, and biopreparation at 6.0 l/ha, productivity was 5.42 t/ha of ZE.

1. Sheudzhen A.Kh., Bondareva T.N., Onishchenko L.M., Nutrition and fertilization of grain, cereal, and legume crops. Krasnodar: KubSAU, 2012. 231 p. [In Russ.].

2. Sheudzhen A.Kh., Nutrition and fertilization of grain and legume crops. Krasnodar: KubSAU, 2012. 56 p. [In Russ.].

3. Recommendations for agricultural management systems in the Krasnodar Territory. Krasnodar, 1981. 556 p. [In Russ.].

4. Tarasenko B.I., Bardak N.I., Makarenko A.A. Soil tillage: a study guide. 3rd ed., revised and add. Krasnodar: KubSAU, 2021. 162 p. ISBN 978-5-907474-79-6. [In Russ.].

5. Kuznetsova I.V., Azovtseva N.A., Bondarev A.G. Standards for changes in the physical properties of soils in the steppe, dry steppe, and semi-desert zones of the European Russia // Bulletin of the V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute. 2011. Iss. 67. P. 3-19. [In Russ.].

6. Sheudzhen A.Kh. Agrobiogeochemistry of chernozem. 2nd ed. add. and revised. Maikop: Polygraph-YUG, 2018. 308 p. [In Russ.].

7. Current state and productivity of leached chernozem in the Western Ciscaucasia / Sheudzhen A.Kh. [et al.] // Bulletin of KubSAU. 2019. No. 153 (09). P. 2-14. [In Russ.].

8. Mamsirov N.I., Chumachenko Y.A., Udhuhu A.C. Agrochemical properties of fused chernozem, depending on the methods of basic processing and the norms of fertilization // Ecology, Environment and Conservation. 2018. Vol. 24, No. 1. P. 462-471. [In Russ.].

9. Geography of the Republic of Adygea: a tutorial / edited by A.Sh. Buzarov. Maikop: Adyghe Republican Book Publishing House, 2005. 200 p. [In Russ.].

10. Sheudzhen A.Kh., Neshchadim N.N., Onishchenko L.M. Fertilizer system. Agrochemical characteristics of soils and climatic conditions of the North Caucasus: a tutorial / edited by A.Kh. Sheudzhen. Krasnodar, 2009. 206 p. [In Russ.].

11. Dospekhov B.A. Field experiment methodology. Kolos, 1979. 416 p. [In Russ.].

12. Devterova N.I., Blagopoluchnaya O.A. Effect of various tillage methods on crop productivity and agrophysical properties of uncultivated chernozems // Zemledelie. 2019. No. 3. P. 31-33. [In Russ.].

13. Vadyunina A.F., Korchagina Z.A. Methods for studying the physical properties of soils. 3rd rev. and add. Moscow: Agropromizdat, 1986. 416 p.: ill. (Textbooks and teaching aids for higher educational institutions). [In Russ.].

14. Soil Science Workshop / ed. by I.S. Kaurichev. 3rd revised and add. M.: Kolos, 1980. 272 p.: ill. (Textbooks and teaching aids for agricultural educational institutions). [In Russ.].

15. Practical training in Agriculture / B.A. Dospekhov, I.P. Vasiliev, A.M. Tupikov. 2nd ed., revised and eadd. M: Agropromizdat, 1987. 383 p.: ill. (Textbooks and teaching aids for students of higher educational institutions). [In Russ.].

16. Varieties and hybrids: a catalog / L.A. Bespalova [et al.]. Krasnodar: EDVI, 2025. 172 p. [In Russ.].

17. Kuzenko M.V., Gudkova G.N. Varietal agricultural technology of wintering oats // Zemledelie. 2014. No. 7. P. 46-48. [In Russ.].

18. Kuzenko M.V. Features of agricultural technology for cultivating wintering oat varieties // Current problems and innovative solutions in the development of the agro-industrial complex of southern Russia: a collection of reports based on the materials of the All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation (October 2-3, 2025). Maikop: Magarin O.G., 2025. 443 p. [In Russ.].

19. betaren.ru. Shchyolkovo Agrokhim. Azafok. Internet resource.

20. (Internet resource admin@pogoda360.ru).

21. https://world-weather.ru/pogoda/russia/maykop/2023/.

22. VK.com Weather and climate/ The Krasnodar Territory/Adygea.