Fertilizer application systems in the main soil-climatic zones of Russia

Plant nutrition in the Non-Chernozem and Central Chernozem regions

In the Non-Chernozem zone, agronomists mainly work with podzolic, sod-podzolic, and gray forest soils. Sod-podzolic soils are acidic, contain only 1–2.5% humus, and are poor in available nutrients. Gray forest soils are more developed: they contain 3–4% humus and have a slightly acidic reaction, but the supply of phosphorus and potassium remains low. At the same time, sufficient moisture availability and moderate warmth create favorable conditions for a high return on applied fertilizer.

The priority task in this zone is deacidification of the soil through liming. To maintain a non-deficient balance of humus in sod-podzolic soils, it is necessary to apply organic fertilizer. All cultivated crops are in dire need of phosphorus, and winter crops require mandatory nitrogen top dressing in the spring. The best result is provided by the joint application of organic and mineral fertilizers; moreover, on acidic soils, it is advisable to use phosphate rock as a source of phosphorus nutrition. Potash fertilizers here are distributed primarily for potatoes, vegetable crops, flax, and silage crops.

• Humus in sod-podzolic soils — 1–2.5%
• Organic application rate for humus balance — from 8–10 to 18–20 t/ha
• Nitrogen application rate for grain crops in the Non-Chernozem region — N40–60
• Nitrogen application rate for demanding crops — N90–120
• Phosphorus application during sowing — P10
• Spring top dressing of winter wheat in the forest-steppe — N40–60

In the forest-steppe zone of the European part of Russia, especially in the Central Chernozem region, leached and typical chernozems prevail. In the northern part of the zone, podzolized chernozems and gray forest soils are more common. The local climate with an annual precipitation of 500–615 mm is perfect for growing sugar beet, winter crops, corn, and legumes. Chernozems contain 3.5–5.5% humus with a near-neutral reaction, while gray forest soils contain up to 3% humus with a pH below 5.5.

Since these soils are poorly supplied with phosphorus, phosphorus fertilizers show maximum efficiency here, including row application. There is enough potassium in the soil, so potash fertilizers are applied selectively — mainly for sunflower, root crops, and tuber crops. For winter wheat, sugar beet, and grain corn, basic fertilizer is mandatory. For winter wheat, nitrogen top dressing in the spring is critically important; fertilizer application for forage crops is also of great importance.

Specifics of fertilizer application in the Volga region and Siberia

Agroclimatic conditions in the Volga region vary sharply across zones. The favorable forest-steppe gives way to dry steppe and semi-desert, where droughts and hot dry winds are frequent. The soil cover also changes depending on the zone: from gray forest soils to southern chernozems, chestnut soils, and solonetz. The characteristics of the main soil types of the region are presented in the table.

The soils of the Volga region are universally poor in available phosphorus. In the north of the region (gray forest soils and podzolized chernozems), nitrogen fertilizers play a leading role, phosphorus is applied on their background, and potassium — only as part of complete mineral fertilizer. In the south of the forest-steppe and in the steppe zone on chernozems and chestnut soils, the need for phosphorus increases sharply. Organic matter in these areas is used selectively: for fruit, berry, and vegetable crops or on any fields with irrigation.

In Western Siberia, arable land is concentrated in the forest-steppe and steppe on gray forest and chernozem soils. The main food crop here is spring wheat, which responds excellently to nitrogen fertilizers. Phosphorus provides the maximum effect on leached chernozems, while potassium works poorly. In crop rotation, organic matter is applied for row crops or to fallow fields. At the same time, nitrogen is not used on bare fallow — they are limited to row application of phosphorus during sowing.

Eastern Siberia is distinguished by harsh conditions: leached and podzolized chernozems prevail here, and ordinary and southern deep-freezing chernozems prevail in the steppe. The main crop remains spring wheat. Due to the climatic features of the region and the specific temperature regime of the soils, the nutrition system has its own specifics.

In the dry steppe zone on chestnut soils, soil moisture remains the main limiting factor for the harvest. Under these conditions, it is most effective to apply phosphorus and phosphorus-nitrogen fertilizer for grain crops. Good results are provided by local at-sowing application of phosphorus. If row crops are grown under irrigation, a complete mineral fertilizer must be applied.

• At-sowing application for grain crops on chestnut soils — Р10–20
• Nitrogen dosage for soybean — N30–40
• Phosphorus dosage for soybean — Р60–90

Crop nutrition rules in the monsoon climate of the Far East

Agriculture in the Far East is carried out under specific conditions of a humid monsoon climate. Sufficient and even excessive seasonal moisture prevails here, and moisture deficiency in the fields occurs extremely rarely. The main part of the sown areas is concentrated in the Amur Region on highly fertile meadow-chernozem-like soils. In general, various types of soil are used for arable land in the region:

• brown forest;
• brown-podzolic;
• meadow-brown podzolized;
• meadow-chernozem-like;
• floodplain alluvial.

When working with grain crops on Far Eastern soils, nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer provide the highest returns. Nitrogen and phosphorus are also primarily important for forage and vegetable crops in this region. The need for potash fertilizer on all soil types is less pronounced, so they are used much less frequently. For soybean, which occupies vast areas here, an agronomist needs to plan a special nutrition system.

In addition to phosphorus fertilizer and moderate doses of nitrogen, molybdenum must be applied for soybean, and seed treatment with rhizotorfin must be carried out. This allows the crop to effectively develop nodule bacteria and fix atmospheric nitrogen.