The meadow-sierozem soils current state (Greater Caucasus, Azerbaijan)

The aim of the research is obtaining new information about the genesis, the current state, is studying the diagnostic features of the meadow-sierozem soils of the northeastern part of the Greater Caucasus and give the name to these soils in accordance with the International Classification Soils on the Reference Base (WRB) in 2015. The objects of research are meadow-sierozem soils in Shabran district, northeastern part of the Greater Caucasus. Study methods: field studies (relief, vegetation, laying of soil sections, their description, selection of soil samples, establishment of a preliminary classification name of the soils) and physicochemical analyzes of soil samples (humus, gross nitrogen, C:N ratio, reaction of the soil environment, capacity of cation exchange, granulometric composition, composition of complete water extract) were carried out by conventional methods. It has been established that the most characteristic diagnostic indicators of meadow-sierozem soils are the presence of clay signs in horizon B and carbonate formations in the form of mold. Meadow-sierozem soils are low-humus. The reaction of the soil environment is alkaline. According to the granulometric composition, these soils are of medium and heavy clayey or medium and light loamy. Conclusion. The present state of virgin and cultivated meadow-sierozem soils has been studied. For the first time, the diagnostic criteria of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) were applied to meadow-sierozem soils, and an attempt was made to give the name of meadow-sierozem soils according to the international classification of soils based on the on the Reference Base (WRB) 2015. With the different principal and supplementary qualifiers, all soils were classified as Calcisols.