Soil Improvement

improving the most important natural characteristics of the soil (increase in fertility) by means of special scientifically substantiated methods.

During improvement, soils undergo various changes depending on the characteristics of the initial landscape and the nature of the agricultural methods employed. Sod-podzol soils undergo the greatest change. The improvement of such soils includes applying organic and inorganic fertilizers, liming, creating a thick plow layer, planting perennial grasses, green manuring of sandy soils, and controlling excess moisture.

When improving chernozems, an effort is made to preserve existing beneficial features by following correct farming procedures, applying fertilizers, and, in some cases, using irrigation. Under arid steppe conditions, important methods of soil improvement include irrigation, fertilization, and reclamation of solonetzes and alkaline soils (application of gypsum, reclamation plowing).