Fertile Ukrainian soil is not the same as before. Humus was greatly reduced. And the reason for this is an outdated approach to agriculture.

For 100 years, the fertility of Ukrainian black soil has decreased by three times, says Vladimir Konograi, candidate of biological sciences. In Ukraine, the plowing of soils is above all permissible limits - up to 80%, and somewhere around 90%, as, for example, in the Nikolaev, Kirovograd, Zaporizhzhya regions.

The reason for this is the extensive development of agriculture, when they are harvested not by quality but by the quantity of the crop. Soil cultivation in Europe is about 30%, in the USA 25%, in India 30%. Plowing leads to the degumification of chernozem, generally changing the structure and quality of the soil for the worse.

The scientist says that in developed countries, farmers use conservation systems of agriculture with minimal tillage, where its structure is practically not disturbed. Organic farming is beneficial for soils - rejection of pesticides and mineral fertilizers.

In Ukraine, the technology of minimal tillage and precision farming are already practiced. But Konograi says that a whole range of measures is needed to save chernozem. “Comply with the crop rotation plan, deal with erosion in a timely manner, use organic fertilizers, and expand the sown area of ​​perennial grasses,” the scientist says.

In the meantime, chernozem is being depleted due to mineral fertilizers, radionuclide pesticides, erosion and soil compaction by agricultural machinery. And there is nowhere to expand arable land, everything has already been mastered. So you have to protect what is almost exhausted.