The ameliorative condition of the irrigated light serozem of the turkestan region

Abstract

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the fact that the large-scale irrigation of cotton fields in arid and desert areas of the Turkestan region inevitably leads to the processes of soil salinization. Salinity is a global problem for humanity. Soil salinization is associated with drainage problems, improper use of water resources, growing demand for agricultural products, which leads to increased pressure on agricultural land. In this regard, this paper is directed at investigating the soil salinity of the irrigated light serozem in a cotton farm of Southern Kazakhstan (now Turkestan region) under the vertical drainage, which would provide the necessary background for the reconstruction of the collection-drainage system of the whole region, thus contributing to the increasing the net yield and the quality of the row cotton, as well as preventing soil deterioration. The leading method for studying the issues of the article was the dispersion method, according to which the salinity of soils was determined by seasons. The main objectives were studying the dynamics of salts changes seasonally and timely under the vertical drainage and studying the spatial distribution of salts in the cotton-based farm. The results showed that in 2014 there was recorded a positive dynamic of changes compared to 2012. In spring 2014, the area under medium saline soil in the 0-20 cm layer decreased from 79.5 to 57.7 %; the weakly saline soil area increased from 20.5 to 34.6 %. In the autumn and winter periods, the area of strongly saline soils decreased from 25.6 to 14.1 %. The area of non-saline soils was recorded at 7.7 %. The results showed that changes in the amount of the ions, both vertically and seasonally, occur with the transport of salts along with soil profile under the influence of temperature gradients and the level of groundwater, i.e., in spring from up to down, and in autumn and winter, contrary from down to up. The theoretical and practical value of the study lies in the fact that the material for improving, preventing the salinization of soils will lead to an increase in the general level of ecological safety of the region and country in general.