Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LIX
Written by Irina SENICOVSCAIA
The biota status of virgin and arable gray forest soils in the central zone of the Republic of Moldova has been investigated statistically. Sampling was carried out in profiles per soil horizons and from 0-30 cm layer separately. Database of invertebrates, microorganisms and enzymatic activities has been formed. The current status of biota of the old-arable gray forest soil is characterized by the significant reduction in comparison with the level of the 1960s and with soil’s standards that are in conditions of natural ecosystems. The highest values of biota’s abundance were registered in virgin soils in the forest with the exception of humus-mineralizing microorganisms. Number of invertebrates was 169.3-222.3 ex m-2, Lumbricidae family - 63.6-102.4 ex m-2 and microbial biomass - 686.9-1065.1 μ g C g-1 soil respectively. Biological indices in soil profiles decreased with the depth and depended of the form of farming system. The negative effects on biota and humus status have been observed as a result of the long-term land management practices without organic fertilizers. The growth of humus-mineralizing microorganisms has been noticed. Annual losses due to mineralization processes account for 0.01%. Trends and regression equations describing the growth of humus-mineralizing microorganisms and the fall of humus content in old-arable gray forest soils have been calculated.
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