Genesis, hydrology, and properties of soils in mesodepressions waterlogged by surface water in the northern Ryazan forest-steppe

• Published in: Eurasian soil science 2007-09, Vol.40 (9), p.917-927
• Main Authors: Zaidel'man, FR, Shvarov, A P, Ginzburg, T M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Aquatic resources; Decomposing organic matter; Humus; Hydrology; Soil properties; Soil surfaces; Soil types; Soils; Steppes; Surface water
• ISSN: 1064-2293; 1556-195X
• DOI: 10.1134/S1064229307090013

On the interfluves and in small depressions of the Ryazan forest-steppe, under periodic stagnation of surface water, acid chernozem-like soils with a relatively thick humus horizon, podzolic horizons, and marble-colored gleyed B1 and B2 horizons are formed. The eluvial horizons of these soils contain Mn-Fe nodules, and dark humus coatings occur in the illuvial horizons. In the spring, the eluvial horizons of these soils are excessively moistened and gravitational water stagnates on the soil surface for 3-4 weeks. The formation of the acid light-colored eluvial horizons of the soils on leached rocks is related to gleying under the conditions of the stagnant-percolative regime. Their total thickness is 15-25 cm and more. According to the properties of their solid phase, these horizons are similar to the podzolic horizons of soddy-podzolic gleyed soils. These soils have not been represented in the classification systems of soils of the USSR and Russia. Based on the principles of the substantial-genetic classification, one of the authors of this article [9] referred this soil to gleyed podzolic chernozem-like soils, thus, considering it as an individual genetic soil type. The gleyed podzolic chernozem-like soils differ from the leached chernozems by their low productivity and difficulty of tillage. In humid and moderately moist years, the death of crops or a reduction in yield are probable because of the excess of moisture.