Considering that a soil genofund of Azerbaijan on presence of various types (mountain-meadow, mountain-meadow-steppe, mountain-forest yellow earth, mountain-forest brown, mountain-forest brown, meadow-steppe, grey-brown, grey earth and meadow-grey earth, etc.) with the morphological, physical and chemical and biological features as it is known are formulated. The protection of these unique natural resources is relevant for soil scientists in Azerbaijan. The aim of the research - to study virgin and anthropogenically modified individual types of soils, to identify changes that have arisen in the genetic horizons associated with agrocenoses. The deluvial deposits are characteristic of foothill zones. According to the granulometric composition is gravel- clayey -loamy, high-carbonate. The ratio of physical sand [>0.01 mm] to physical clay [<0.01 mm] is 0.6. Proluvial deposits are adapted to the lower part of the apron. According to the granulometric composition - medium and heavy loamy, carbonate. Characterized by a higher sand fraction (41.2 ± 0.55%), the ratio of physical sand to physical clay-1.9. In the meter-thick layer of irrigated soils, the granulometric composition is slightly loamy, the content of the silt fraction -28.3±1.08–31.8±0.83%, physical clay – 63.0±1.8–65±1.1. This is 4–6% (dry steppe zone) and –3.5% (semi-desert zone), respectively. Depending on the nature of the irrigation relief, a comparative increase in clayey (4.7%) and light clayey (5.2%) granulometric composition is observed in irrigated soils. In the granulometric composition changes between the light loamy, and light clayey (20.6%) mode (57.7%) in the virgin meadow-grey soils, then it becomes from irrigative loamy to heavy clayey (mode 60.6%). An upper part of profile is considerably humificated:1.19 g/cm³ – changing coefficient is 6.88% (dry-steppe zone) and 1.30 g/cm³– changing coefficient is 3.78% (semi-desert). The virgin zonal soils of arid subtropics are rich in humus. An average statistical quantity of humus in 0 – 25 cm layer is 2.5 – 2.8% in the dry-steppe, 1.6 – 2.0% - in the semi-desert zones. Humus gradually rises (newly irrigated--->irrigated--->ancient--->irrigated) in the process of collecting agro-irrigation reserves, formation of reserve organic matter in the soil.

The development of organic farming in Kazakhstan faces a number of challenges, primarily due to the insufficient scientific basis aimed at increasing crop yields under diverse natural conditions and agro-landscapes. In this context, research focused on identifying factors that determine the stability of agroecosystems and the efficiency of land use becomes particularly relevant. This article presents the results of studies conducted on the territory of the “Bekseitov Aidarbek Zhumagazievich” farm in the Fyodorov district of Kostanay region. The objective of the study was to assess the influence of geomorphological conditions on the structure of agricultural lands and to develop adaptive landscape systems for organic farming. Based on digital cartography of landform types, slope gradients and slope exposures, an algorithm for GIS-based land assessment was proposed, enabling a comprehensive characterization of agro-landscapes. The agroecological grouping of lands carried out in the study identified key geomorphological factors that determine agricultural land use directions. Practical recommendations for crop cultivation were developed taking into account landform and soil cover features. The obtained results form a scientific basis for sustainable and ecologically balanced land use, enhance the efficiency of organic farming under the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan, and also contribute to reducing anthropogenic-technogenic pressure on soils and increasing the potential productivity of agricultural crop.

Soil salinity is one of the key issues contributing to land degradation, particularly in arid and irrigated regions of Central Asia and southern Kazakhstan. This study explores the applicability of the conductometric method as a rapid tool for assessing soil salinity levels based on electrical conductivity (EC) measurements of a water extract. The research focused on sierozem soils from the Shaulder massif in the Turkistan region, which are characterized by varying degrees of salt accumulation. A total of 76 soil samples were collected from depths up to 1 meter, and water extracts were prepared in a 1:5 soil-to-water ratio. Measurements were carried out using a calibrated FieldScout Direct Soil EC Meter (CTS 50C). Based on the obtained data, soil salinity classification was performed according to the international standards by Richards (1954) and FAO. EC values ranged from 0.254 to 15.420 mS/cm, covering the spectrum from non-saline to highly saline soils. Five types of regression models were developed and compared: linear, logarithmic, power, second-degree polynomial, and third-degree polynomial. The third-degree polynomial model demonstrated the highest accuracy (R² = 0.947; MSE = 0.034). ANOVA confirmed the statistical significance of the influence of EC on salt content (p < 0.001). The resulting models can be applied for rapid salinity diagnostics, soil zoning, and reclamation planning.

This article examines the complex impact of reservoirs on the state of agricultural lands, especially on soil fertility and ecosystems. The aim of the research work is to determine the agrochemical indicators and ameliorative condition of soils in the area adjacent to the Koksaray reservoir, followed by the development of scientifically-based recommendations for rational land use and their introduction into agricultural circulation. During the research, comprehensive agrochemical studies of soils were carried out in the southern part of the Shauldir irrigated array in the Otyrar district of Turkestan region. Field and laboratory methods were used (agrochemical analysis, GPS, satellite data, NDVI index analysis). The results showed a significant level of soil salinity at depths of 0-20 cm, 20-50 cm, and 50-100 cm. In particular, at a depth of 0-20 cm, very strongly saline soils comprise 42.4%, at 20-50 cm – 70.5%, and at 50-100 cm – 96.0%. This indicates the need for urgent reclamation measures (salt leaching, construction of drainage systems, introduction of salt-tolerant crops) on most of this territory. The article also presents the results of soil fertility analysis, including the content of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In many areas, the level of humus and nitrogen was low, while the content of phosphorus and potassium was relatively favorable.

The aim of the study was to assess the content and allocation of copper and zinc reserves, as well as their distribution in the profile of virgin, newly irrigated, old-irrigated typical sierozem of the Tashkent-Keles geomorphological district, Tashkent region of Uzbekistan. The studied virgin and irrigated typical sierozems are characterized by medium loamy granulometric composition. The total copper content in the upper horizon varies from 18 to 27 mg / kg, zinc from 55 to 104 mg / kg. The share of clay fraction is from 12 to 24%. Copper and zinc reserves were identified - labile, near and potential. Fluctuations in copper reserves, from the total content, in the arable horizon were revealed: labile from 1 to 6%, potential from 33 to 52%, near, dominating in the total content 64%. The content of zinc reserves in the arable horizon: labile from 6 to 18%, near from 16 to 44%, potential, dominating in the total content up to 55%. In the arable horizon, there is an accumulation of insoluble forms of copper and zinc, which increases the resistance of soils to water erosion due to the formation of water-resistant structures. It was found that the near and potential reserves of copper and zinc are presented in a fairly large amount, and the labile in a slightly smaller amount. It was found that the distribution of copper and its reserves in the studied soils is uneven and depends on many factors, such as the age of irrigation and soil cultivation, which increase both the total content of copper and zinc, their reserves, and their content in the clay fraction.

The study conducted in the Makati region includes granulometric analysis, vegetation assessment, topsoil evaluation (horizons A and B), and chemical testing to determine soil resistance to mechanical stress. The results of the soil stability analysis indicate that the upper soil layers across all sites are more vulnerable to erosion and soil exhaustion. This is primarily due to a reduction in clay content, the depletion of humus, and the accumulation of toxic salts. The decline in vegetation cover further aggravates the issue, pointing to severe pasture degradation. These findings highlight the urgent need for soil conservation measures, such as improving soil physical properties and mitigating salt exposure, to support ecosystem restoration. Field studies also identified a variety of soil profiles, with gray-brown salt marsh and brackish soils being the most prevalent. These soil types are marked by low buffering capacity, which intensifies the degradation process. The analysis classified soil degradation in the region as moderate to severe. Anthropogenic factors, including mechanical disturbances and improper land use, significantly accelerate soil degradation. This, in turn, compromises ecosystem stability by diminishing soil quality and reducing its productivity, thereby negatively impacting the broader environment of the region.

The article presents research data on the effects of a complex of biological preparations on the growth parameters and phytopathological condition of carrot and table beet seeds in 2025. Based on the results of laboratory studies, it was established that pre-sowing treatment of carrot and table beet seeds with a complex of biological preparations improved growth parameters and reduced the incidence of major fungal diseases. The study revealed that, as a pre-sowing seed treatment aimed at enhancing germination energy and seed germination rate, as well as reducing the species composition of major fungal pathogens, the most effective were the combinations of preparations: Phytolaza, 1.0 ml/L + Phytosporin, 2.0 g/L, and Celobacirin AS-24C, 1.0 ml/L + Phosphobacirin-C, 1.5 ml/L.

The study presents the results of investigating the influence of novel organomineral fertilizer-ameliorants based on expanded vermiculite and biologically active substances (humic substances, the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, and an animal-derived protein hydrolysate) on the growth of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Pot experiments were conducted on degraded soils of the Otyrar district of the Turkestan region. It was demonstrated that the application of the fertilizer-ameliorants promoted an increase in total biomass, root mass, leaf number, and plant height compared to the control. The Vermi-KB treatment produced the most pronounced effect, leading to an 80.6% increase in plant dry biomass compared to the control. The use of Vermi-CV also showed a pronounced positive result (an increase in raw biomass by 58.0%). The results confirm the effectiveness of the developed fertilizer-ameliorants and their potential for increasing the fertility of degraded soils.

The relevance and necessity of using straw as fertilizer under rainfed farming conditions in southeastern Kazakhstan are determined by the decline of the potential soil fertility, the reduction of organic matter content, and the negative balance of the main mineral nutrients in the plow layer due to insufficient application of mineral and organic fertilizers. This review article examines the main mechanisms of straw’s influence on soil and its fertility, as well as analyzes the possible benefits and scale of its use. The role of straw in forming the balance of nutrients and organic matter in rainfed farming systems of southeastern Kazakhstan is highlighted. Given the extremely low level of straw returned to the soil (only 0.9% of the total biomass produced), the annual irretrievable losses of nutrients under the cultivation of winter wheat, spring barley, and oats – the main crops of the region’s rainfed agriculture – average 378 kg/ha of nitrogen, 100 kg/ha of phosphorus pentoxide, and 275 kg/ha of potassium oxide. Annual humus mineralization, even accounting for the humification of root and stubble residues, reaches 471.1 thousand tons, which is equivalent to a loss of about 1.8 t of humus per hectare of arable land.