To the results of humus formation meadows of various origins in the conditions of the old developed region of the center southwestern of the Non-Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation

S. N. Potsepai¹, L. N. Anishchenko², M. V. Semyshev¹ , V. S. Kukhar’³ , V. V. Surgaev³

¹ Bryansk State Agrarian University, Kokino settlement, Bryansk region, Russia

² Bryansk State University named after academician I. G. Petrovskiy, Bryansk, Russia

³ Ural State Agrarian University, Ekaterinburg, Russia

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Volume 26 No. 5

Date of paper submission: 03.02.2026, date of review: 11.03.2026, date of acceptance: 16.03.2026.

Published: 05/31/2026

Abstract. The processes of mineralization and humification of organic matter, evaluated through various indicators, determine the sequestration of atmospheric carbon in the form of CO2 . For the natural meadows of the central region of the southwestern Non-black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation, the inventory of humification and carbon content is necessary for the implementation of carbon- and humus-accumulating technologies in conservation and adapted agricultural production. Methods. The research employed the route method, ransect method, trial plot method, and geobotanical method according to the J. Braun-Blanquet system. Humus content in meadow soils was established using laboratory-chemical methods, the arable layer thickness (in cm) was determined by visual morphometric method, and soil bulk density (density, g/cm3 ) was measured in the field using a cylinder. The calculated modified method (according to Novoselov) was used to establish the total humus reserves in the soil. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the total humus reserves in the soil quality indicator registry for natural and sown meadows in habitats of the south-western Non-Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation. Scientific novelty. In accordance with the approbation and development of state standards for “soil quality”, for the first time in the Central Administrative Region of the South-west Non-Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation, work has been carried out to evaluate the quality of meadow soils of various origins based on humification processes. The total humus reserves in meadow soils of various origins have been determined. A range of total humus fluctuations (t/ha) for natural and sown meadows in the Bryansk region has been identified, forming the basis for baseline monitoring and the directions of natural and anthropogenic changes. Results. It was found that the total humus reserves (t/ha) are higher for soils of natural meadow origin. Meadow communities are categorized into three groups according to their humus stock values: below-average (20.0 to 35.0 t/ha), average (36.0 to 55.0 t/ha), and above-average (56.0 to 105 t/ha). The maximum values of the indicator – 104.4 t/ha – were calculated for the communities of the association Poo palustris – Alopecuretum pratensis. A close correlation has been established between total humus reserves and the community’s development in terms of species composition and dry belowground biomass. The humus accumulation is determined by the age of the cenoses, as well as the environmental conditions of the habitats and the development of cenotic relationships within them.

Keywords: carbon sequestration, total humus reserves, natural meadows, sown meadows, productivity, Non-Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation

For citation: Potsepai S. N., Anishchenko L. N., Semyshev M. V., Kukhar’ V. S., Surgaev V. V. To the results of humus formation meadows of various origins in the conditions of the old developed region of the center southwestern of the Non-Black Soil Zone of the Russian Federation. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (05): 805‒815. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-05-805-815 (In Russ.) 

 

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