Changes in the properties and biological activity of crusty solonetzes in the Baraba Lowland under the long-term impact of gypsum

Abstract

A single application of gypsum to crusty hydromorphic low- and high-sodium solonetzes led to the destruction of the columnar structure and the formation of a valuable crumb-granular structure after 25 years. The surface crust disappeared from the reclaimed solonetzes, whereas its thickness in the control soils was about 10 cm. The long-term impact of gypsum also resulted in lower bulk density values in the upper soil meter, especially in the high-sodium solonetz. The number of microorganisms accumulating available nitrogen- and carbon-bearing compounds increased, and the urease and proteolytic activities of the soil became more pronounced. In the upper 20 cm of the reclaimed solonetzes, the microbiological transformation of the plant remains into the soil organic matter became more intensive, thus attesting to the development of the soddy process. The favorable effects of gypsum increased with an increase in the rate of its application.