Diagnostics of Compaction of Arable Soils in the Transvolga Region in Saratov Oblast

Abstract

The evidence and factors of the formation of compact horizons in haplic chernozems are discussed. They include a complicated combination of agronomical consolidation, modern solonetzization, and residual alkalinity. It is shown that the combination of physicomechanical and chemical properties (high content of physical clay and clay fraction, low portion of aggregate openness and high interaggregate porosity, the presence of exchangeable sodium in the soil adsorbing complex, alkaline reaction (pH 8.3), mobility of the clay-humus fraction, etc.) favor the formation of overcompacted plow and subplow horizons and their dynamic stability independently of regular mechanical cultivation.