The purpose of the research is to study changes in the morphological, physicochemical properties of irrigated and rainfed soils of different types on the foothill plains of the Zhambyl region in the conditions of their intensive use with the identification of the main factors leading to their transformation. The object of the study is the soils of the Zhambyl region, which are undergoing anthropogenic transformation in the conditions of agricultural use. On the basis of a comparative analysis of paired sections of virgin and arable lands, a study of agrochemical and physicochemical indicators for chestnut, serozem, meadow and meadow-serozem soils was carried out. It has been established that degradation has a complex nature and is expressed in dehumification, a decrease in the content of mobile phosphorus and potassium, and a change in the acid-base regime. The most intensive degradation processes are recorded in chestnut and serozem soils, where humus losses reach 50–55%, and phosphorus - 30–35%. In meadow and floodplain-meadow soils, salinization is observed.

Post-mining phosphorite landscapes in semi-arid regions often retain physical constraints that limit vegetation establishment and slow soil recovery. We assessed soil physical recovery at the Zhanatas phosphorite deposit (southern Kazakhstan) by comparing three site types: (i) a reclaimed dump (technical reclamation in 2012, biological reclamation in 2013; ~2 ha; ~50 cm loam substrate; 70–75% plant establishment), (ii) a dump undergoing passive selfrecovery since mine closure in 1984 with sparse vegetation cover (~9.5–10%), and (iii) an undisturbed reference soil. During May–September 2025, three soil profiles were excavated per site and sampled by genetic horizons. Across sites, materials were sand-dominated, but the fine fraction (<0.01 mm) differed strongly among recovery pathways. The reclaimed site showed stable near-surface texture (<0.01 mm = 31.97–34.93% at 0–40 cm), comparable to the upper horizons of the naturally revegetated dump (28.60–30.34% at 0–70 cm). In contrast, a deep layer of the naturally revegetated dump (70–110 cm) was extremely coarse (sand 89.89%; <0.01 mm 8.87%), indicating a persistent textural discontinuity. The undisturbed soil had the highest fine fraction (<0.01 mm = 34.57–45.05%). Moisture ranged from 2.09% (reclaimed 0–10 cm) to 11.69% (dump 70–110 cm). PCA differentiated site types and revealed the greatest heterogeneity in the naturally recovering dump. Reclamation improved near-surface physical conditions, but full convergence to reference soil remains incomplete due to strong textural contrasts within the profile.

The article presents the results of field studies assessing the effects of mineral fertilizer rates and ratios on maize silage yield under different levels of soil salinity in southern Kazakhstan. The research was conducted on light sierozem soils of the Otyrar district, Turkestan region, under two salinity backgrounds (0.13 and 0.59% total soluble salts). The study object was the maize hybrid Gladius F1 (FAO 700). Fertilizer rates were tested within the ranges of N0–150, P0–120, and K0–90 kg/ha. Biometric traits, silage biomass yield, and economic efficiency of fertilizer application were evaluated. It was established that on slightly saline soils, mineral fertilization significantly increased maize silage yield up to 84.5–90.7 t/ha, which was 41.4–56.5% higher than the unfertilized control. Under increased salinity, productivity decreased by more than twofold, and the efficiency of high nitrogen rates declined due to intensified salt stress. A highly reliable model (R²=0,993; F=586,94; p<0,001) was obtained using multivariate regression analysis, confirming the dominant negative effect of soil salinity and the nonlinear response of maize to fertilization. Economic assessment showed that on slightly saline soils, the optimal fertilizer rates were N100–150P80K30–60, providing profitability to 270-300%, whereas under medium saline conditions, moderate rates of N50P80K30–60 were more economically justified. The results confirm the need for a differentiated and adaptive fertilization strategy for silage maize depending on soil salinity levels.

The article presents data on the degradation of the chemical and physico-chemical composition of rice-paddy soils and methods for restoring their fertility based on the results of agrochemical studies conducted at the Akdala rice-growing massif in 2024. The humus content in rice-paddy soils is very low, ranging from 0.86–2.01% in the topsoil (0–25 cm) and 0.63–1.78% in the subsoil (25–40 cm). The degree of salinity in the rice-paddy soils across the massif varies, including slightly, moderately, and highly saline soils, as well as solonchaks. "Rice-marsh soils of 'Marat' Farm and 'Otes' LLP are characterized by medium and increased content of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen (49.0–59.5 mg/kg), whereas the soils of 'Otes-Akdala' LLP and 'Popov' LLP show high levels (77.0–80.5 mg/kg). Regarding mobile phosphorus content, the soils of 'Popov' LLP, 'Marat' Farm, and 'Otes' LLP are classified as having very low and low availability (6.0– 16.0 mg/kg), while the soils of 'Otes-Akdala' LLP show an increased level of availability. In terms of exchangeable potassium content, the soils of the massif range from low (100–200 mg/kg) and medium (<201–300 mg/kg) to high (401–600 mg/kg) availability levels." To restore the fertility of rice-paddy soils and ensure high-quality yields of rice and other crops, it is essential to implement the proposed agro-meliorative, agro-technical, and agro-chemical measures in a timely manner. The effectiveness of organic and mineral fertilizers applied to rice and other crops depends on the content of mobile nutrients in the soil and the planned yield targets. For rice crops, effective nitrogen fertilizer rates are: 60–90 kg/ha after alfalfa sod, 90–120 kg/ha after the second year of sod, and 130–150 kg/ha in the third year after sod. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates range from 60–120 kg/ha and 30–60 kg/ha, respectively, depending on the soil nutrient content and the target yield for rice and other crops.

Sugar beet is one of the crops that currently generates the most income, but so far its yield is not at a high level. To obtain a high yield of royal beet roots, it is necessary not only to choose a hybrid, observe agricultural techniques, but also to establish optimal fertilizer application rates. An analysis of the literature data shows that the use of fertilizers increases the yield of royal beet root crops by 30-40%. In this regard, ensuring the production of sugar beet with high-quality seed material, based on the introduction of intensive seed cultivation techniques into the seed production process, is an important task that determines the development of the beet sugar subcomplex. The research results have shown the positive effect of mineral fertilizers on royal beet plants, on their growth and development. The dependences of NPK removal from the soil on the norms and doses of mineral fertilizers, the ratio of basic nutrients and crop yields were revealed. In the case of the use of fertilizers, the indicators of NPK release of root crops of summer mother beets were higher than in control ones: nitrogen - 3-5%, potassium - 2-4%, and no signifi-cant difference in phosphorus was observed. The volume of NPK release of Mother beets through the leaves was significantly higher and increased in accordance with the increase in the amount of fertilizer: nitrogen - 6-9%, phosphorus - 5-8%, potassium - 5-9 %.

The studies were conducted on the experimental plots of “AES ‘Zarechnoye’” LLP, located near the village of Zarechnoye. The study area has a long history of agricultural use, and since 2001 a conservation farming system based on No-till technology has been implemented here. Since 2023, within the framework of the research, a field experiment with a 4-field grainfallow crop rotation has been established: herbicide fallow – wheat – wheat – wheat. No-till technology is applied. The crop used is spring wheat of the Omskaya 18 variety. In 2024, the highest grain yield was recorded on plots used for sowing the first crop after herbicide fallow in the grain crop rotation – 27.47 c/ha. Analysis of the grain crop rotation showed that spring wheat grown as the first crop after fallow was classified as second quality class. Wheat grown as the second and third crops after fallow was classified as third quality class due to lower gluten indicators.

Under conditions of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change, the rational management of soil resources is becoming a key factor in the sustainable agricultural development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose of this study is to analyze the composition and use of the land fund, the condition of agricultural lands, as well as the system of ecological regulation of chemical soil pollution. The tasks of the study included identifying regional features of land use, reviewing regulatory documents, analyzing current maximum permissible concentrations (MPC) of chemical substances in soils, and comparing the national regulatory framework with international standards. The methodological basis of the research consisted of comparative legal analysis and the synthesis of materials from official state sources. As a result, it was found that the majority of the country's agricultural lands (more than 70%) are occupied by pastures, while productive arable land is concentrated mainly in the northern regions. Such a distribution of land resources requires increased attention to their rational use and ecological safety. The regulatory framework of Kazakhstan covers only 7 chemical elements, which is significantly lower than the indicators of OECD and CIS countries. The study has scientific and practical significance, as it highlights the need to expand the list of regulated pollutants, taking into account the biogeochemical and agricultural characteristics of the regions. The findings can be used in the development of sustainable land use strategies, improvement of environmental policy, and in the practice of soil monitoring. The research contributes to the development of agroecological safety and the formation of a modern soil protection system in Kazakhstan.

This study investigates the relationship between the distribution patterns of two relict tree species-ironwood (Parrotia persica) and Caspian locust (Gleditsia caspica) - and soil conditions in the mountain forest ecosystems of the Lankaran-Astara economic region. The research was conducted between 2022 and 2025. A total of 112 soil samples were collected from 28 soil profiles and analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), FTIR spectroscopy, pH, particle size distribution (laser diffraction), trace element composition (ICP-MS), and clay mineral composition (XRD). The results indicate that P. persica reaches its maximum density (410 trees/ha) on northern slopes at elevations of 600–800 m, whereas G. caspica attains higher density (265 trees/ha) on southeastern slopes at 400–600 m. Mountain forest brown soils formed under P. persica show higher humus content (6.2%), TOC (4.2%), and slightly acidic pH (6.0), while mountain forest yellow and brown soils under G. caspica are characterized by moderate humus content (3.5%), TOC (2.4%), and neutral pH (6.5). Soils under P. persica are enriched in Zn (54 mg/kg) and Cu (14.5 mg/kg), whereas those under G. caspica contain higher concentrations of Fe (5400 mg/kg) and Mn (400 mg/kg). The soils under P. persica exhibit high potential for organic farming, while those under G. caspica have neutral pH, making them suitable for a wide range of crops.