The genesis, classification, and melioration of gleyed podzolic chernozem-like soils in the north of the forest-steppe zone of European Russia

ISSN 0147�6874, Moscow University Soil Science Bulletin, 2014, Vol. 69, No. 2, pp. 62–68. © Allerton Press, Inc., 2014.Original Russian Text © F.R. Zaidelman, L.V. Stepantsova, A.S. Nikiforova, V.N. Krasin, S.B. Safronov, 2014, published in Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Pochvovedenie,2014, No. 2, pp. 16–23.

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INTRODUCTION

Loamy and clay gleyed chernozem�like soils withlight�colored acid eluvial horizons are widespread inthe forest–steppe zone of European Russia. Theirproperties are close to or the same as in the horizonA2fs,g of podzolic (gleyed podzolic) soils. These soilswere first described by V.V. Dokuchaev [2]. Causes forthe formation of soils with light�colored horizons werelater formulated by P. Kossovich [19]. Both research�ers assumed that chernozem degradation is induced bylong�term anaerobiosis in the upper layers of the soilprofile, which results from the accumulation of fresh�water (melted snow) in large amounts in kettles and onuplands. According to the modern literature, manyresearchers associate the development of light�coloredacid eluvial horizons (podzolic horizons) with threesoil�building processes [3, 19, etc.]: acidic hydrolysis,lessivage, and gleying. Among these, acidic hydrolysisis the most important.

Causes of the formation of light�colored acid eluvialhorizons in the profiles of bogharic and irrigated cher�nozems of the forest–steppe zone. The data suggestthat gleying under the conditions of a stagnant–perco�lative water regime on acid and neutral rocks is theonly needed and sufficient factor for development oflight�colored acid eluvial (podzolic) horizons among

other soil�building processes given above. Under theseconditions, acid hydrolysis is most aggressive in ananaerobic environment. What is more, this is the onlycase when an acidic effect of the mineral substrateresults in the formation of light�colored acid eluvialhorizons. It is worth emphasizing that this process isrelatively rapid. Let us consider in detail the problemof the role that is played by acidic hydrolysis in the for�mation of light�colored acid eluvial horizons.

Long�term field and model investigations allowone to asses the emergence of the horizons under studyas given in the text below [5, 10]. It should be pointedout that organic acids influence the mineral substrateof real soils in three different ways: acidic hydrolysisunder anaerobic conditions; acidic hydrolysis underanaerobic conditions against the background of a stag�nant water regime; and acidic hydrolysis under anaer�obic conditions against the background of a stagnant–percolative water regime. Let us describe the effectproduced by these forms of hydrolysis on soil forma�tion.

The effect of acids under anaerobic conditions isoften observed in soils of the landscapes with gooddrainage, which prevent moisture stagnation in thesurface horizons. In these soils, iron is not activelyreduced or dissolved, and there are no conditions forits unbalanced removal, as well as for the liberation of

SOIL GENESIS AND GEOGRAPHY

The Genesis, Classification, and Melioration of Gleyed Podzolic Chernozem�Like Soils in the North

of the Forest–Steppe Zone of European RussiaF. R. Zaidelmana, L. V. Stepantsovab, A. S. Nikiforovaa, V. N. Krasinb, and S. B. Safronovc

a Department of Soil Science, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russiab Michurinsk State Agrarian University, Michurinsk, Russia

c Test Laboratory, Michurinsk State Agrarian University, Michurinsk, Russiae�mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Received April 22, 2013

Abstract—Chernozem�like soils with light�colored acid eluvial horizons are widespread in the forest–steppezone of European Russia. Their formation is related to gleying under the conditions of a stagnant�percolativewater regime on leached rocks. It is closely associated with the evolution of salinized soils (Gedroits’sscheme). However, these soils have not been included in the soil classifications of the Soviet Union and Rus�sia. Based on the principles of substantial�genetic classification, one of the authors of this article [3–5, 10]referred them to gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils, which are considered as an individual genetic soiltype. With respect to agroecological aspects, they are different from the leached chernozems in their low pro�ductivity and difficulty of tillage. This article covers the problems of genesis, classification, and meliorationof gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils in the north of the forest–steppe zone of European Russia and theirpossible association with dark�colored podbels.

Keywords: gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils, gley formation, melioration, classification, waterlogging,podzol formation, reclamation, stagnant�percolative water regime.

DOI: 10.3103/S0147687414020094

MOSCOW UNIVERSITY SOIL SCIENCE BULLETIN Vol. 69 No. 2 2014

THE GENESIS, CLASSIFICATION, AND MELIORATION 63

mineral grains contained in fine grained soil from ironor from the iron hydroxide and oxide cutans. The over�all concentration of organic acids is insufficient for thereduction and dissolution of iron, and nonorganicreducing agents are not present in the profile of theseautomorphic soils. In nature, this area is dominated byacid undifferentiated brown soils. Their profile doesnot have any light�colored eluvial horizons [3, 5, 10].

The data allow one to state that lessivage is, as arule, not significant (facultative) for the formation oflight�colored acid eluvial horizons in the genesis ofthese loamy and clay soils. Thus, the signs of lessivagein light and medium loamy soils with light�coloredacid eluvial horizons are clearly seen as regards theirautomorphic and slightly gleyed varieties, but theymay be absent in gleyic and gleyed soils with distinctand deep light�colored acid eluvial horizons [4–6, 8].

Consequently, light�colored acid eluvial horizonsin these hydromorphic soils can occur and form largemorphological structures without lessivage. For thisreason, we should admit that lessivage is not an inde�pendent soil�building process. It is rather an accom�panying facultative phenomenon, which may eitheroccur or not during the formation of light�colored acideluvial horizons in the profiles of gleyic and gleyedsoils [3, 4, 10, 15].

When considering gleying, the third factor that isnecessary for the formation of light�colored acid elu�vial horizons, special attention should be paid to itsdifferent effects on properties of the solid phase ofacidic or neutral soils and rocks, depending on thepeculiarities of their hydrological regime [9, 10, 14].Gleying has a relatively insignificant influence on theproperties of the solid phase of soils and rocks underthe conditions of a stagnant water regime, because theresultant products are similar, which favors the rapidoccurrence of a balanced state. In this case, the acidichydrolysis is related to gleying under the conditions ofa stagnant water regime. This process results in the for�mation of gleyed horizons with a cold color in soilsthat have relatively homogenous non� or slightly dif�ferentiated profiles (such as soddy�gley and peaty�gleysoils).

As a result of gleying (i.e., acidic hydrolysis in ananaerobic environment) against the background of astagnant�percolative water regime, even under short�term waterlogging, there is a regular removal of iron,manganese, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, tita�nium, phosphor, and other chemical elements. Thesilt fraction is often washed or transformed as well.Meanwhile, the soil acidity increases sharply, while thedegree of base saturation decreases significantly, thecontent of mobile aluminum becomes higher by severaltimes, and the fine grained soil becomes whitish. Thequantity of fulvic and low�molecular weight organicacids grows rapidly. The properties of the solid phaseof these horizons are identical to the properties of pod�zolic or, rather, gleyed podzolic horizons [10–13].

Therefore, it should be admitted that gleying underthe conditions of a stagnant�percolative water regimeon acid and neutral parent rocks is essential, sufficient,and the only factor for the formation of light�coloredacid eluvial horizons. This fact allows us to state thatthey are monogenetic based on their origin. Their for�mation is favored by one factor only, gleying (or, whichis just the same, acidic hydrolysis in an anaerobic envi�ronment) against the background of stagnant�percola�tive water regime.

Even so, all soils under study posses a common fea�ture: they have light�colored acid eluvial (podzolic)horizons (A2 or EL) in the upper part of their profile.This regularity is clearly seen in the meridional direc�tion, regardless of the natural zone. Thus, in the taigazone, gleying against the background of a stagnant�percolative water regime on acid and leached rocksinitiates the development of gleyed podzols and soddypodzolic soils; in the forest–steppe and steppe, gleyedpodzolic chernozem�like soils develop; in the subtrop�ics, subtropical podzols are formed; in the tropics,tropical and “rice” podzols occur.

Therefore, almost regardless of the natural zone,gleying against the background of a stagnant�percola�tive water regime on acid and leached rocks alwayscauses the development of light�colored acid eluvial(podzolic) horizons [3, 4, 9, 10]. In particularly, this isevidence of soil degradation, and a sharp decrease orloss of their fertility. The essence of this degradation,which constantly leads to the formation of light�col�ored acid eluvial horizons, was considered in detail inthe monograph of one of the authors of this article[10].

The taxonomic position of the forest–steppe cher�nozem�like soils with light�colored acid eluvial hori�zons. Special consideration should be given to themodern taxonomic position of soils with light�coloredacid eluvial horizons in the forest–steppe zone ofEuropean Russia. In the last decades, these cher�nozem�like soils have been defined as solods orsolodic, soddy podzolic, eluvial gleyed, lessive, etc.Finally, according to the Classification and Diagnosticsystem of Russian soils [17], they were considered asdark humus podbels and combined with gleyed pod�zolic chernozem�like soils in the forest–steppe zoneof European Russia, which were first described in Pri�morskii and Khabarovsk krai.

In this regard, it is urgent to consider the followingissues. First, we should touch upon the degree towhich the previously suggested definitions reflect theactual properties of gleyed podzolic chernozem�likesoils. Secondly, gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soilsin the forest–steppe zone of European Russia shouldbe treated as those analogous to podbels of the RussianFar East. In order to perform such an analysis, let uscompare the data on the genesis of gleyed chernozem�like soils with light�colored acid eluvial horizons toother soils that have acid light�colored horizons, pod�bels in particular.

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Thus, it is obvious that the genesis of these gleyedpodzolic chernozem�like soils is not related to sol�odization, as it is commonly understood, due to atleast two reasons. First, these soils do not containsodium in their adsorption complex. Secondly, gleyedpodzolic chernozem�like soils have an acidic reactionin the entire profile to a depth of >1 m [3–5, 10, 16].

In the forest–steppe, soils that have light�colored(whitish) acid eluvial horizons and differentiated pro�file are widespread in the kettles among leached andtypical chernozems. They should not be regarded assoddy podzolic soils, because they have a thick humushorizon (A1, 28–45 cm and deeper) rich in humus(5.8–6.6%). At the same time, according to the prop�erties of the solid phase, the light�colored acid eluvialhorizon of these soils equals in the majority of caseshor. A2 or, more often, A2fs,g of gleyed podzolicsoils1.

Using the term “lessive soil” is not appropriate todescribe their properties, because the signs of lessivagemay fail to appear in the profiles of chernozem�likesoils with thick podzolic horizons. For this reason,lessivage should be treated as a facultitive and occa�sional (or lacking) process [7, 8, 10]. The term “gleyedeluvial soils” as applied to the soils under study is alsofar from being perfect, because G.N. Vysotskii [1]showed that iron eluviation from the gleyed horizon isnot an obligatory sign of gleying. Now, thanks to themodern data, it is known that gley, even in a stagnantwater regime, is marked by the eluviation of not onlyiron, but also manganese. For this reason, the namesof processes should not be repeated (tautological) inthe soil nomenclature, because gleying itself, evenunder the conditions of a stagnant water regime, is aneluvial process. Based on this fact, the name “gleyedeluvial soils” is not appropriate to characterizechanges in the profile of soils.

Certainly, the diagnostic criteria for chernozem�like soils with light�colored acid eluvial horizons in theforest steppe of European Russia are significantly dif�ferent from those for dark�colored humus podbels ofthe Russian Far East. In this connection, let us com�pare the properties of the solid phase in the soils understudy. Thus, in the Classification and Diagnostic sys�tem of Russian soils [17], special attention is paid tothe fact that the content of iron incrustations (ort�steins) in the eluvial layer of dark�colored podbels isfrom 10 to 20% of the soil weight [10]. However, ourobservations showed that the content of incrustationsin the eluvial horizons of soils in the forest–steppe ofEuropean Russia does not exceed 3–4% of theirweight [10]. Further, it was emphasized in this verypublication [17] that humus horizons of dark humusgleyed podbles are neutral. However, the reaction of

1 A2 is the podzolic horizon oe EL, according to the soil classifi�cation and their diagnostocs; fs is a horizon with visually identi�fied manganese–iron incrustations (>3–4% of the total mass ofthe enclosing horizon).

the same horizons in all gleyed soils with light�coloredacid eluvial horizons in the forest steppe of EuropeanRussia, based on our data, is always acidic or subacidicin the entire profile [5].

In addition, according to [17], gleyed podbels con�tain up to 10–12% of humus. Based on our data [8–10],the quantity of humus in the surface layer of humushorizons of chernozem�like soils with light�coloredacid eluvial horizons in European Russia does notexceed 6%.

It is obvious that podbels in Primorskii and Kha�barovsk krai, on the one side, and the soils of the for�est–steppe zone of European Russia with light�col�ored acid eluvial horizons, on the other one, differfundamentally from each other not only in the chem�ical properties of their solid phase, but also in agroeco�logical features. These differences are clear. Sincedark�colored podbels in the south of the Russian FarEast are confined to the northern districts of Primor�skii krai, they are inclined to mixed coniferous�broadleaved forests and meadows. Nevertheless, in the Clas�sification and Diagnostic system of Russian soils [17],they are equal to the soils of European forest–steppe,which have significantly different properties and agro�ecological features. It is not understood why themeadow type of podbels in the Russian Far Eastincludes solods and soils of the kettles in Europeanforest–steppe. For this reason, these soil groups (i.e.,gleyed podbels in the south of the Russian Far East,gleyed chernozem�like soils of European forest–steppe, and gleyed solods of West Siberia) should beconsidered as three individual soil types, which aregreatly different not only in their chemical propertiesand hydrothermic regime, but their agroecologicalfeatures as well.

At the same time, they have one common feature,viz., light�colored acid eluvial horizons (hor. A2 orEL) in their profile. These light�colored (podzolic)horizons, as shown earlier [9, 14], appear under theinfluence of one and the same mechanism, viz., as aresult of gleying on acid or leached rocks against thebackground of stagnant�percolative water regime.

The substantive genetic soil classification is knownto rest on the morphological and genetic analysis ofactual and visually identifiable soil horizons.

Taking the fact into account that soils with light�colored acid eluvial horizons in the forest–steppezone and northern steppe subzone are formed amongleached and (less often) typical chernozems, a namewas suggested that is more precise than dark humusgleyed podbel in reflecting the properties and condi�tions of their development: gleyed podzolic cher�nozem�like soils [3, 9, 10]. This name indicates thattwo major soil�building processes are involved in theirformation, soddy and gleyed. The profile formula ofthese soils is the following: A1–A2fs,g"–Bg"–G. Thisis consistent with their typical level. Obviously, furtherdifferentiation of chernozem�like soils into subtypes,genera, and kinds is needed with regard to the degree



of their hydromorphism, podzolization, propertiesand composition of parent rocks, thickness of humushorizon, and other structural peculiarities. Accordingto the Classification and Diagnostic system of Russiansoils [17], the formula appears as follows: AU–ELnn,g–BTg–G.

To sum up, it may be said that gleyed podzolicchernozem�like soils, in contrast to leached and typi�cal chernozems, have a number of adverse agrotechni�cal and agroecological features: prolonged waterlog�ging in the spring and at the beginning of summer,complicated cultivation, weak aggregation, etc. Here,agricultural plants, depending on the degree of gley�ing, are often depressed or die because of damping�offin the years with average and, especially, high precipi�tation rates. Therefore, gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils differ fundamentally from zonal leached andtypical chernozems based on their water regime, theproperties of the solid phase, as well as agroecologicaland other features. At the same time, they are wide�spread in the forest–steppe soil cover. However, nei�ther the Classification and Diagnostic system of theSoviet Union [18] nor the Classification and Diagnos�tic system of Russian soils [17], or any other knownclassification, provide their complete description. Itfollows from the above�said that similarity betweengleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils should be con�sidered as a new individual soil type, which is widelyspread in the forest–steppe zone of European Russia.It may be also found in other regions, such as thenorthern part of the steppe zone. This new soil typeshould be further differentiated based on the com�monly accepted hierarchical taxonomic levels.

Agroecological and melioration estimation ofleached chernozems and podzolic chernozem�like soils

with different degrees of gleying in the north of the for�est–steppe zone. Gleyed podzolic chernozem�likesoils are different from leached and typical cher�nozems, first of all, based on the fact that in the springperiod and during summer showers they stay floodedfor a long time. For this reason, their cultivation isrelated to preliminary hydro� and agromelioration,which is meant to optimize their hydrological regimefor agricultural purposes. Yet, it should be noted thatthe drainage of local kettles and agromelioration ofsoils on limited territories are almost absent. At thesame time, this problem demands a well grounded andrapid solution.

In the forest–steppe zone, the stagnation of freshwaters over a long period of time in depressed land�scapes during snow melting and showers leads to thedevelopment of numerous shallow lakes at the soil sur�face. Soil waterlogging under these conditions turnsout to be relatively long (longer than 1–1.5 months)and ends, as our observations show, in May. Thus,chernozem�like soils are formed, mainly at the stageof swamping, i.e., these are podzolized, deep gleyed,and gleyic soils. Their characteristic feature is theabsence of gleyed soils in the contours of kettles. Theseintensively waterlogged and strongly gleyed soils havenot been found, based on our observations, even in thehydrocenters of temporary shallow lakes. In order toobtain a well�grounded agroecological and meliorativedescription of the studied hydromorphic soils, weshould estimate the influence of increasing (in space)swamping on the yield of agricultural plants. For thisreason, we studied the yield of maize for silage andbarley (c/ha) on different soils (Ryazan oblast) by themethod of small squares in five replicates (see table).

The data reflect the common trend of a decreasingyield as the degree of swampiness in the soils understudy becomes higher. At the probability of 0.90, thedifferences in the yield are statistically significantbetween leached chernozem and gleyed podzolicchernozem�like soils [16]. Despite the fact that themajority of plants die or damp off on gleyed podzolicchernozem�like soils, soil drainage may turn out to beinappropriate when the area that is occupied withsmall contours of these plants is not more than 5% ofthe territory formed by leached chernozem. Based onthe above�given data, podzolic chernozem�like soilswith different degrees of gleying are most suitable forperennial herbs that are resistant to waterlogging.

These herbs are white clover (Trifolium repens L.),common meadow�grass (Poa pratensis L.), creepingbent (Agrostis stolonifera L.), and timothy�grass(Pleum pratensis L.). Another effective plant for thesoils under study is honey clover (Trifolium ambigum).The same changes induced by waterlogging werefound in the yield in Tambov oblast on gleyed podzolicchernozem�like soils [15]. These data are given in thetable.

Taking into account the yield of agricultural plants(maize for silage and barley for grain), it can be sug�gested that subsurface drainage may be appropriatewhen waterlogged soils reach an area of more than 10 ha.In addition, if such soil bodies are individual contours

Crop Leached chernozem Leached podzolized chernozem

Deep gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soil

Gleyic podzolicchernozem�like soil

Maize for silage not ident.total damping�off

536 ± 120 not ident. 484 ± 106 total damping�off

Barley, grain 18.2 ± 2.3 16.1 ± 1.2 14.1 ± 2.8 7.5 ± 2.0

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scattered along a chernozem background, randomdrainage with inverted wells and outlet channels of thehollow type that have spread�eagled slopes (cotϕ 5–6)occur. In the case when deep gleyed and gleyic pod�

zolic chernozem�like soils form a common contourwider than 10 ha, it may be useful to dry them by reg�ular subsurface drainage accompanied by agromelio�rative and hydrotechnical practices that are meant to

The effect of the moisture supply over the year on the duration of the leakage�water period in the upper soil profile and onthe productivity of some agricultural plants (Tambov oblast)

CharacteristicYear according to the amount of winter precipitation, %

very dry, >85 dry, 85–65 normal, 65–35 moist, 35–15

Years of study 2003 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 1998, 2000, 2006 1999, 2005

Leached chernozem

Length of the leakage�water period no

Yield, c/ha winter wheat 56.4 ± 4.6 46.2 ± 3.4 48.4 ± 6.4 53.4 ± 7.8

barley 50.4 ± 5.6 23.6 ± 4.6 28.5 ± 1.2 23.4 ± 3.8

Soils of the open depression on the watershed divideWeakly gleyed podzolized chernozem�like soil

Length of the leakage�water period no Beginning–mid�dle of May

Middle of June

Yield, c/ha winter wheat 39.4 ± 4.3 42.4 ± 4.5 57.8 ± 4.8 no data

barley 55.2 ± 4.8 19.2 ± 3.2 19.8 ± 1.5 10.4 ± 3.5

cheat 148 ± 17 131 ± 23 112 ± 22 125 ± 15

Weakly compacted podzolic gleyic chernozem�like soil

Length of the leakage�water period no Beginning of May End of May Middle of August

Yield, c/ha winter wheat 26.3 ± 1.3 33.4 ± 4.5 24.3 ± 3.5 no data

barley 27.2 ± 3.4 4.2 ± 3.2 5.0 ± 1.0 no data

cheat 204 ± 23 180 ± 19 90 ± 17 120 ± 21

Soils of the closed depression in the watershed divideChernozem�like soil

Length of the leakage�water period no End of April Beginning of May


barley 55.2 ± 7.2 23.6 ± 2.5 35.3 ± 5.2 17.5 ± 3.8

honey clover 172 ± 13 250 ± 25 326 ± 15 165 ± 10

Podzolized chernozem�like soil

Length of the leakage�water period no Middle of May End of May Middle of June


barley 42.9 ± 3.2 12.3 ± 0.8 31.1 ± 4.8 1.9 ± 0.5

honey clover 215 ± 12 310 ± 11 320 ± 20 320 ± 12

Gleyic podzolic chernozem�like soil

Length of the leakage�water period no End of May Middle of June Middle of July

Yield, c/ha winter wheat 12.2 ± 0.7 Wet spot

barley no data not sown

honey clover 295 ± 15 280 ± 9 280 ± 20 264 ± 9



enhance their land and groundwater runoffs. Obvi�ously, this makes it necessary to estimate the economicefficiency and cost recovery of meliorative and agro�meliorative practices, as well as the cost of all neces�sary fertilizers and lime treatment for increasing thefertility of these soils.

Preventive and recultivation measures for protectingchernozems in the forest–steppe from degradation andpodzolization. Measures for restoring soil fertilityinvolve the following methods for their optimizationand melioration: (1) elimination of factors for gleyingagainst the background of a stagnant–percolativewater regime in the surface soil horizons using open�cut and subsoil drainage (ceramic, plastic, and mol�ing) combined with agromeliorative practices forenhancing the land and groundwater runoff (moleploughing, bedding, ridging, bed lowing, grading, anddeep meliorative loosening); (2) using soils in thegrass�arable rotation with nitrogen�fixing legumes andcereals; (3) applying the necessary levels of organicand mineral soil fertilizers.

CONCLUSIONS

(•) The soil structure of the forest–steppe zone ismostly determined by the hydrological regime of thesoils and the relief. On ground levels that have beensuccessfully drained, zonal background chernozems,both leached and typical, are formed. In their profile,there are no signs of hydromorphism. The waterregime of these soils depends on the mean annual pre�cipitation of the area, while the water regime is non�percolative.

(•) On the uplands and in the depressions of theforest–steppe zone, as a result of precipitation trans�location as land runoff, the volume of moisture fromthe nearby water collection is significantly higher thanits normal value. In the spring, their flooding followedby water stagnation lasts from 1 to 2 months under theconditions of a stagnant–percolative water regime.

(•) The model and field investigations allowed us tofind that the process of gleying under the conditions ofa stagnant–percolative water regime on neutral,leached, or acidic rocks leads to the removal of basicmetals, viz., iron, manganese, aluminum, calcium,magnesium, titanium, and phosphor, as well as silt.

(•) Under anaerobic conditions, mineral grainslose their surface fine protective films (cutans). Thus,the mineral mass is subjected to an active acidic influ�ence. In addition, trivalent iron in the crystal lattice ofminerals reduces to bivalent iron. Part of it gets dis�solved and the liberated positions in the crystal latticeof aluminosilicates are replaced by hydroxides.

(•) Gleying under the conditions of a stagnant�per�colative water regime is a necessary and sufficient fac�tor for the development of light�colored acid eluvialhorizons and for the formation of differentiated profileof podzolic chernozem�like soils with differentdegrees of gleying on acidic and leached rocks.

(•) Based on the properties of the solid phase, thelight�colored acid eluvial horizon of gleyed podzolicchernozem�like soils is close to or the same as in theA2g hor. of podzolic�gleyed soils.

(•) Gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils are wide�spread in the forest–steppe zone. They are fundamen�tally different in their genesis from typical and leachedchernozems. These soils have negative agroecologicalfeatures favored by their regular waterlogging.

(•) The data under consideration on the genesis ofgleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils demonstratethat the soils in all natural zones have one and thesame mechanism of the formation of light�coloredacid eluvial horizons.

(•) The term podzolic chernozem�like soils reflectsthe genesis of such soils and mostly corresponds to theprinciples of the substantive genetic soil classification.

(•) Gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils are fun�damentally different from automorphic leached cher�nozems in their water regime, the properties of thesolid phase, and agroecological features. These soils,which are a widespread component of the soil cover ofthe forest–steppe zone, were poorly described in thesoil classifications developed in the Soviet Union andRussia.

(•) The gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soil is anew soil type, which is common in the forest–steppezone. It should be further differentiated according tothe degree of hydromorphism and podzolization, aswell as the granulometric and mineralogical composi�tion, parent rock, regional features, and other charac�teristics, into smaller soil units.

(•) When the area of gleyed podzolic chernozem�like soils is less than 5% of the total area of cultivatedlands, it should be taken into consideration that theymay become meadows with moisture�loving herbs thatare resistant to long periods of waterlogging.

(•) In swampy areas, not only open�cut and subsoildrainage should be used, but also agromeliorative andhydrotechnical measures should be performed toenhance land and groundwater runoff.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Russian Founda�tion for Basic Research, project no. 12�04�00582a.

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Translated by A. Karmazina

Documents

The genesis, classification, and melioration of gleyed podzolic chernozem-like soils in the north of the forest-steppe zone of European Russia