Solonetzs and solonetzized soils of Republic of Moldova: remediation methods

Abstract

Alkaline and alkalis soils are present in all soil provinces, but the most important areas are located in the central (Ciuluc hills, at the border of Codri plateau) and southern (Southern Moldova Plain) part of the country. In world practice for alkali soil improvement, the usual method is gypsum application in common with organic fertilization. In the Republic of Moldova these amendments are missing and their purchasing requires considerable amount of money. Created situation generates the necessity to replace gypsum with other calcium materials. Investigations were carried out on two pilot areas. To assess the state of soil quality there were described soil profiles and taken soil samples from genetic horizons. Within investigations on chemistry and quality indicators of surface water there were taken samples from water bodies of the study areas.