The degree of restoration of the soil properties developed under the fallows in the early stages of succession

Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 8/2, Ac. Lavrentieva ave., 630090, Novosibirsk, Russia

^* Corresponding author: solovyev@issa-siberia.ru

Abstract

At present, the return of fallow lands to agricultural circulation is an important and one of the topical issues of the whole world. Research related to the restoration of soil properties of fallows is of particular value. Therefore, it is necessary to know what processes occur in the vegetation and soil cover of fallows at the different stages of their development, taking into account local natural features. The paper presents the results of a survey of young (up to four years) and middle-aged (up to ten years) fallows of the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia within the Novosibirsk region. It is established that in the first decade of succession in fallow areas there are two stages of overgrowth, and when analyzing the structure of plant matter, it is shown that the ratio of their fractional composition reflects the general tendency to restore the ecosystem that preceded plowing. Restoration of soil properties under young and middle-aged fallows is much slower. Data of humus content analysis allow us to conclude that its content is somewhat higher in the upper parts of the profile in middle-aged fallows compared to young fallows. The research on soil-physical characteristics and vegetation cover allowed us to note the trends of restoration of the initial state of soils.