Soil-ecological features of gray-brown (chestnut) soils formed on the north-eastern slope of the Lesser Caucasus (within the Shamkirchay reservoir basin)

On the north-eastern slope of the Lesser Caucasus, within the boundaries of Shamkir administrative district, the most common soils in the Shamkirchay reservoir basin are gray-brown (chestnut) soils. Since the commissioning of the reservoir, these lands have been intensively used as new irrigated areas under agricultural production. To some extent, non-compliance with planting norms when using irrigation can lead to a decrease in soil fertility parameters, soil degradation, and an increased risk of salinization.The main purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the main physicochemical and fertility indicators of soils in the basin and the relationship between them in the gray-brown (chestnut) soils spread within the basin boundaries of the reservoir. Diagnostic indicators, agrochemical properties and results of their analysis of soil plots placed in characteristic places were analyzed in tables and explanations. The main indicators are humus, total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, granulometric composition (sand, dust, silt and clayfractions), soil environmental reaction (pH) and carbonate content (CaCO3), statistical analysis. The article has covered studies in dark, conventional and lightgray-brown (semi-brown) semi-soilsin three sub-areas ofgray-brown (chestnut) soils, mainlydistributed in the Shamkirchayreservoir. In each of the three subclasses, profiles are set in specific locations. The practical part has been implemented in 2 stages. During the field studies, 9 profiles have been excavated, relevant samples have been taken, and analysis has been performed to determine the diagnostic performance. The results of the analyses have been presented in the respective tables and have been analyzed in detail. All analyses have been carried out on the basis of modern methods.