ISBN 978-5-94672-542-2

Maize production on-the-farm tests with application of compost prepared on the basis of cattle manure and phosphogypsum and applied to the soil upper layer showed increase in grain maize yield by 22%.  The next stage in studying phosphogypsum agricultural use is setting a norm and aftereffect duration for this waste. 

Discusses some of the most pressing problems of chernozem’s zone in connection with agricultural functioning and the prospects of further development in this region of Russia. In the center of attention put analysis of chernozems resources agrodegradation, associated primarily with a deficit of carbon budget of agricultural ecosystems. Using the original kinetic model of the dynamics of chernozems organic matter (humus), which combines the processes of its revenues from the litter and root residues, transport and biodegradation, it is shown that the formation of black soils under steppe vegetation is carried out over a period of at least 2-3 thousand years. Their agrodegradation accompanied by 20-30% loss of organic matter in the plow layer for the first 100-200 years, but in the future, this process does not end and extends to the deeper soil layers, leading to progressive mineralization of over 70% of the initial stock of humus in the whole soil profile. The possibility and problems of modern agricultural technologies based on substance recycling in connection with sustainable agriculture and reproduction of soil resources are evaluated. The related environmental and socio-economic problems are analyzed. The position on integrated autonomous agro-industrial farms as possible long-term development of the region is put forward.

Field trials results regarding preparation and use of organomineral composts for maize production are discussed, influence of compost on physical and agrochemical properties of soil and on maize productivity is analyzed.

The problems of fertility improvement by way of improving physical and chemical properties of ordinary chernozem upper layer are discussed. One of promising methods of fertility improvement is use of complex composts, their composition is elaborated by combining industrial and agricultural wastes in optimal correlations.

Experience of maize production with application of mineral and organomineral fertilizers as well as  compost made of cattle manure and phosphogypsum was summarized. It was found out that phosphogypsum has a positive impact on soil mesofauna.

Influence of phosphogypsum as silicon fertilizer on maize plants and soil quality is studied. 

Use of compost consisting of cattle manure and phosphogypsum in maize production contributes to improvement of ordinary chernozem water-physical properties, increase of productive moisture reserves and increase of agronomically valuable aggregates quantity. 

Maize development peculiarities in various conditions of vegetation are analyzed; application of manure and phosphogypsum accelerates growth processes in external and internal structures of maize plants, formation of generative structures and root system, contributes to a more rational use of food supply.

Influence of phosphogypsum on anatomical structure of maize stem is discussed. Special attention is paid to the dimension of conductive vessels, fascicles and peculiarities of their sclerenchym layer.

Influence of compost made of phosphogypsum and humus on microbiota of the soil under maize plants is discussed. Increase in quantity of ammonificators, ray fungi (actinomycete), nitrogen-fixing bacteria and other bacteria types is detected. Populations of ray fungi and micromycete have grown. 

Problems of phosphogypsum use for composts and its influence on physical, chemical and biological properties of soil are discussed as well as its ecological role in soil-plant system. Peculiarities of maize plants reaction to mineral and organomineral fertilizers as well as to organomineral compost are analyzed. 

The paper presents experimental data characterizing general patterns of structural changes of humic substances ordinary chernozem southeast of Voronezh region under the influence of agrogeneza. The most significant changes in the content, and reserves of humus in the arable chernozem. There has been an active dehumidification of ordinary chernozem, accompanied by the expansion ratio Sgk:Sfk, the increasing role of calcium humates and nonhydrolyzable residue in the formation of humus. The most favorable conditions for humus found in irrigated chernozem perennial leguminous herbs, but it increases the mobility of humic substances.

We studied in detail the composition of sewage sludge treatment plant "South Butovo" and Kuryanovskoy Wastewater Treatment Plant and Moscow. In the work we illustrated possibility of using the sludge in agriculture with help of growing experience.