CONJUGATE PAIR OF IRRIGATED AND NON-IRRIGATED CARBONATE CHERNOZEMS OF THE SOUTH OF MOLDOVA: BALANCE OF MINERALS

Abstract

The balance of mineral masses of the silicate part of the ordinary Chernozem irrigated for 12 years with good quality waters from the Dniester in comparison with non-irrigated ordinary Chernozem revealed losses from irrigation of primary minerals in the amount of 201 t/ha, clay minerals - 470 t/ha. The losses were comparable with the losses of primary (259 t/ha) and clay (607 t/ha) minerals in the entire history of the formation of this chernozem. Irrigation caused additional illitization of the upper part of the chernozem profile and an increase in the amount of illite by 42 t/ha. Amond of clay minerals, the greatest losses (439 t/ha) are associated with smectite. Smectite losses occurred on the spot without moving it deeper into the profile. The applicability of the method used for calculating the mineral balance in assessing changes in the mineralogical composition of irrigated chernozems in Moldova was confirmed.