Steppe soil in terms of economic use is the most favorable area. It is these zones that form the main part of the productive land fund, although, of course, not every steppe can please the farmer with nutritious black soil. This is confirmed by the soils of the steppes of Russia, which are also represented by arid regions and medium-humus northern territories. Nevertheless, in the southern part of the country there are many fertile treeless zones, which are rich in nutrients.
Main characteristics of the steppe soil
All types of steppe soils are characterized by the absence of forests and a low level of groundwater. These factors largely determined the balance of conditions under which this cover is formed. One of the main indicators that help to qualify the type of steppe soil is the humus content. For example, the chernozems of the forest-steppe zones have a higher thickness of humus horizons than ordinary chestnut and chernozem covers. To determine which soil in the steppe will be most favorable for agricultural activities, it is important to consider the content of other nutrients. For example, old-arable areas require additional feeding with manure andmineral fertilizers. Experienced farmers also recommend using phosphorus, and in some places - nitrogen and potassium supplements.
Conditions for soil formation in the steppes
The development of steppe soil zones usually occurs under the influence of a warm, dry or temperate climate. For example, in Russia, the formation of the southern steppe cover occurs at an average annual temperature of 0 … + 10 ° C. As for precipitation, their average annual amount varies from 300 to 500 mm. The most abundant fallout occurs in the Ciscaucasia region, and this level noticeably changes towards the northern part. The maximum precipitation occurs in the first half of summer - often precipitation during this period is of a showery nature, although the soils of the steppe cannot be called excessively moistened. The greatest reserves of moisture are observed in spring, which is facilitated by the process of snow melting. But this is typical for the northern regions, and the southern steppes are characterized by a shortage of water. For this reason, a non-leaching type of water regime is being formed in some areas.
Soil-forming rocks
In Russia, soil formation in terms of rocks and sediments occurs differently depending on the region. For example, in the Black Sea lowland, loess is quite common, and in the steppes of the Stavropol plateau, heavy loess-like loams are observed. The predominance of sandy sandy loam is typical for the Volga platform - in this region, steppe soils are formed under the influence of eluvium of rocks and yellow Quaternary loam. On the territory of the Caspiansaline loams and various deposits of marine origin are found in the zone.
Since the absence of forests opens access to winds, weathering products are also found - in particular, the Kulunda Plain is rich in particles of bedrock. The common features of the listed rocks that form the soils of the steppes include an increased content of easily soluble s alts, carbonate and gypsum elements.
Vegetation cover
Steppe relief as such has little effect on the development of flora. In this regard, one should rely on the type of soil and external conditions. For example, in arid regions, vegetation cover has a complex character. These are sparse, low-growing plants that can make up about 70% of the entire flora. Dark chestnut soils are optimally suited for the development of forbs and cereals. This once again confirms that in determining which soil in the steppe is best suited for growing a particular crop, several factors should be taken into account. In this case, the main criterion for assessing fertility is the type of soil cover. In the central regions, chestnut soils and light chestnut soils predominate - respectively, ephemeroids and ephemera can be grown in these zones. In particular, flower growers can plant irises and tulips here. On solonetsous soils, black wormwood, camphorosma and biyurgun are often found, and moistened land covers become a favorable platform for couch grass plant groups.
Relief properties
Usuallythe flat relief dominates as the main one for all steppe zones. These are spaces that practically do not have prominent hills, depressions and ravines. At the same time, the steppes are not flooded with hollow waters, do not swamp, which also makes it possible to maintain a single surface structure over large areas. However, the dissection of the relief is still characterized by the Central Russian zone of the steppes. The soil in this region can be covered with dense ravine-gully networks, which causes serious difficulties in the development of virgin lands. Small saucer-shaped depressions may also occur, but this is rather an exception to the rule.
Soil characteristics in dry steppes
Soils of this type are distinguished by the most pronounced shortcomings of the steppe soil. Low precipitation, windiness and drought - these and other factors predetermined the problems associated with the exploitation of this cover. The basis of vegetation is the meadow-steppe group, under which the process of soddy soil formation takes place. In summer, ephemera and meadow plants die off, as a result of which the soil of dry steppes is covered with grass felt with signs of decomposition. On the one hand, this process is useful for the formation of humic acids, but on the other hand, under the action of sunlight, dehydration and curtailment of useful elements occur. In drought conditions, at a shallow depth of soaking, the processes of washing out sodium, magnesium and calcium s alts are also observed, resulting in the formation of a soil horizon.
Properties of the chernozem soil of the steppes
Development of chernozem soilsoccurs against the background of abundant manifestation of forb-steppe vegetation. Therefore, the main feature of such a cover is the richness of organic matter. In the profile section of chernozems, a dark-colored saturated layer of humus can be distinguished, which is also emphasized by a characteristic lumpy or granular structure. The chernozem soils of the steppe can contain large amounts of ash elements and nitrogen, which is the main difference of this cover. The supply of these components occurs annually in the process of decomposition of plant litter. This phenomenon is also favored by hydrothermal conditions, which provoke reactions in complex humus compounds of the same humic acid.
A few words in conclusion
The conditions for the formation of steppe zones are largely contradictory and at least diverse in their influence on the soil cover. It is thanks to the convergence of opposite factors that the steppe soils are saturated with nutrients. Thus, drought contributes to the rapid decomposition of vegetation, resulting in the formation of humus. Further, under heavy rainfall, the production of humic acids is also stimulated, which later serve as the basis for the development of a fertile black earth layer.
