Classical and modern approaches to the study of organic matter of sod-podzolic soils in the Middle Pre-Urals (analytical review)

Experimental data of scientists of Perm Agricultural Research Institute – branch of PFRC UB RAS obtained for 2000–2024 are presented, scientific literature for 1990–2024 of Russian and foreign specialists on the study of soil organic matter (SOM) is summarized and analyzed. Multidirectional tendencies of organic carbon change in soil compared to the initial level at change of land use regime were revealed: decrease at intensive tillage and absence of fertilizers, preservation and increase – at input of large amount of organic matter with biomass of cultivated crops in crop rotation and organic fertilizers. The influence of land use practices on the content of different fractions of transformed organic matter is shown. It has been established that in soil-climatic conditions of the Middle Urals the losses of organic carbon in the process of mineralization during the vegetation period can potentially make from 2.37 to 3.21 % of its total content. High carbon sequestering potential of sod-podzolic heavy loamy soil was determined. Carbon sequestration by crops of crop rotation and perennial grasses was assessed. It was revealed that in the process of photosynthesis eastern galega converts from atmosphere to plant biomass more than 30 t/ha of CO2 or 8.4 t C/ha per year, safflower leuzea – 24.3–41.3 t/ha of CO2 (6.8–11.5 t/ha). Due to the large amount and favourable biochemical composition of crop-root residues of perennial fodder crops, accumulation and deposition of organic carbon in the soil is observed. The study of soil microbiome of sod-podzolic heavy loamy soils of the Middle Urals revealed 17 phylums consisting of Archaea (1 phylum) and Bacteria (16 phylums) domains. Differences in the composition of soil microorganisms in soils of different types of land use were found. Prospects for further study of SOM are outlined in connection with the problem of global climate change, as well as the development of instrumental high-precision methods of analysis.

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