Abstract:
In this paper, we studied the distribution of organic matter in structural elements of leached chernozems from the
Central part of the Republic of Moldova. It was established that the arable leached chernozems used in conventional
agriculture lost on average 2.29% organic matter from the arable 0-12 cm layer, in comparison with the fallow soil. The
12-20 cm soil layer lost on average 1.78% of organic matter. The implementation of environmental-friendly farming
practices has favored partial restoration of the organic matter content in these soils. Thus, in the arable 0-12 cm layer
the organic matter content increased by 0.08% and in the next 12-20 cm layer - by 0.27%. Loss of organic matter in
soils led to degradation of soil structure. Thus, the 0-20 cm arable layer of leached chernozems has a less favorable
structure for plant growth; in the structure of the soil predominate blocky aggregates. Cultivation of the mixture of
herbaceous and leguminous grasses during the 2007-2015 years led to the partial restoration of the quality of the
structure, especially in the 10-20 cm layer of the soil. Leached chernozem under the fallow has an excellent structure,
characteristic for natural soils. According to our results, the organic matter is not evenly distributed in the structural
aggregates of the investigated soils.
