Traditional types of farming in the steppe. Forest-steppe - definition and characteristics of the natural zone. Animals living in the steppes
The private-lease agricultural enterprise "Mazharka" operates in the zone of risky farming - in the northern steppe subzone of the Ukrainian steppe, in the Kegichevsky district of the Kharkov region. Since the founding of the enterprise (2002), Vladimir Valenko has been in charge, and the chief agronomist is Alexander Samoylyuk, who has 35 years of experience in his specialty.
The agricultural land fund is about 2,000 hectares, the machine and tractor fleet is equipped with modern equipment, including tractors, seeders, a silage harvester, a self-propelled sprayer and tillage units. The crop rotation structure includes sunflower (300 ha), corn + sunflower (450 ha), barley (200 ha), annual grasses (300 ha), sorghum-sudanese and sugar hybrids (350 ha), as well as wheat and perennial fodder grasses. "Mazharka" is a powerful diversified farm, therefore, in addition to growing field crops (grain and industrial), they also keep more than a thousand head of cattle, there are sheep and horses.
In agriculture, only advanced technologies are used, and despite the difficult and unpredictable conditions of a typical Steppe, today the Mazharka Private Private Joint-Stock Enterprise is one of the leaders in the region in terms of production indicators. In particular, the yield of corn for grain last year was more than 71 centners per hectare (by the way, drought-resistant hybrids of the Artezian line were adopted here), barley - about 33 centners, sunflower - at least 30 centners per hectare (oilseeds are grown on the farm according to traditional and Express Sun technologies). In agriculture, they completely switched to energy-saving processing technology and abandoned the use of traditional plowing - only deep loosening up to 35 cm, disking. In this way, the soil structure is preserved and moisture is accumulated.
Due attention is paid in agriculture to the protection of crops: despite various restrictive factors, protective treatments of crops are carried out in a timely manner and in the required volumes. If necessary, in case of non-standard situations, additional chemical treatments are also performed.
Since the company opened economic activity in the steppe, the agronomist has to think carefully about the structure of crop rotations in order to provide the farm with decent harvests and preserve the fertility of the land, which still has a high supply of humus (5-6%), in addition, humus obtained from its own production facilities is applied to the fields every seven years . Features of economic activity in the steppe zone are that the rainless period often exceeds 100 days. But even under such conditions, the farm manages to obtain a corn crop of 245 centners per hectare (for silage) and 380 centners per hectare (for silage) of American sorghum. By the way, last year we had to resow winter wheat with sorghum-Sudanese hybrid Ute BMR. Despite the fact that the first rain was expected in June, 330 c/ha of silage was collected. This year, after harvesting winter wheat, the enterprise plans to sow the sorghum-Sudanese hybrid Koso, which is capable of rapid growth of green mass. And the leaders are also ready for a bold experiment, which involves the overseeding of sorghum-Sudanese sorghum in the existing crops of winter barley. After discussing all the possible risks, they are sure that there is no better option than this one. Barley is sown on an area of 200 hectares. Sorghum is planned to be oversowed across the rows of barley with a seeding rate of 200,000 viable seeds per hectare and a row spacing of 70 cm. Subsequently, after cutting the barley, sorghum will continue to grow. In general, in 2019, sorghum crops on the farm will amount to 350 hectares, of which 250 hectares are sorghum-Sudanese hybrids (Ute CMP and Koso) and 100 hectares are sugar hybrids (Mohawk and G1990). The juicy, racemeless hybrid of sorghum G1990 will improve the ensiling of corn, which, in case of heat and drought, loses the moisture of the green mass. Before sowing, sorghum seeds are inoculated with BioArsenal, which is poured into the seed tanks of the seeder along with the seeds.
BioArsenal is a universal inoculant containing fungi Beauveria bassiana, strain mg301 (gha), Beauveria bassiana, strain mg302 (db-1) and bacteria Azospirillum spp. - mg401, Azotobacter spp. - mg402 as well as vitamins, amino acids, trace elements and other biologically active substances. Thanks to the inoculation of seeds, mineral nutrition, resistance to diseases and soil pests are improved, and also, which is important for the Steppe zone, drought resistance and heat resistance of plants.
To avoid repeated frosts, it is planned to start sowing silage sorghum in the first ten days of May, and sorghum-Sudanese hybrids - after harvesting winter wheat. The agronomist noted that sugar sorghum loves aphids because it is juicy and sweet, but silage sorghum of American selection from DP "Reilin" is resistant to aphids. That is why in the past 2018 there was no need to carry out insecticidal treatments against aphids.
Have a great harvest!
G. Lutsko, expert on agronomic issues, DP "Reilin"
Steppes are endless plains covered with herbaceous plants.
The steppe zone is characterized by an almost complete absence of trees, dense grass cover and increased soil fertility.
Steppes of Russia - location and description of the natural zone
The steppe zone is located just south of the forest zone, but the transition from zone to zone stretches for several kilometers.
The territory of the steppe zone is located on the territories of the East European Plain, Western Siberia, and is also included in the geographical regions of the Sea of \u200b\u200bAzov.
Plants of the steppe zone
As soon as spring comes, the steppe is covered with a colorful carpet. These are early flowering flowering plants: tulips, forget-me-nots, poppies. As a rule, they have a short growing season and bloom only a few days a year.
The steppe zone is characterized by conditional "forbs", when up to eighty plant species grow on one square meter of land.
Many steppe plants have hairs, thorns (thistle), or essential oil (wormwood) on their leaves to protect them from excessive evaporation. Therefore, steppe grasses smell strongly.
Shrubs are typical for the northern steppe: almonds, steppe cherries, and for the southern steppe - cereals: oats, feather grass.
Animals living in the steppes
Animals of the steppe zone are distinguished by their ability to run: these are steppe hares, whose hind legs are much longer than those of their forest brothers, and ungulate animals such as saiga, bison, antelope, roe deer and even some birds, such as bustards.
The most common inhabitants of the steppe are rodents: marmots, ground squirrels, field mice. Many are endemic, meaning they do not occur in any of the other zones.
Gopher at the hole
Due to the abundance of rodents, the entire underground section of the steppe is pitted with burrows, which save not only from bad weather, but also from attacks by predators. Burrows are also characteristic of some birds: hoopoes, wheatears, but most of the birds that live here nest right on the ground.
It often happens that other people's burrows are occupied by other animals. For example, wolves capture the dwellings of foxes and badgers, ferrets and ermines inhabit the burrows of large rodents, and minnows, lizards, and some species of snakes live in the burrows of small ones.
Ecological problems of the steppe zone
In ancient times, the steppes occupied gigantic territories, but now they are almost completely plowed up. Fertile steppe soils are occupied by agricultural crops, while the natural vegetation of the steppes is almost non-existent.
The predecessors of domestic animals have long disappeared: the bull tour, tarpan horses, which can now only be seen in the photo.
Many species of steppe animals are under the threat of extinction, their names are listed in the Red Book, for example, bustard, saiga, ground squirrels, bison, antelopes and so on.
Human economic activity continues, and every day new species of animals are under threat. Some of them can be found only in nature reserves and reserves.
Climate features
The steppes are located in the subtropical and temperate zones of the northern and southern hemispheres, this is studied in grades 3-4 of elementary school.
The steppe zone includes the classic characteristics of the temperate zone: summers are warm, dry, hot winds often blow, called dry winds.
At the end of summer, dry grass and dust make the steppe look gray. Heavy rains are rare, after which the water quickly evaporates, not having time to saturate the soil.
Winter stops life in the steppe: the vast expanses of the steppes are covered with a thick layer of snow, piercing winds blow.
Steppe Zone Power Scheme
Insects feed on steppe grasses: grasshopper, praying mantis, bees. The life of animals and birds directly depends on their quantity.
Rodents and insectivorous birds are eaten by carnivores, such as the steppe eagle., which is the top of the steppe food chain, as well as predatory animals: badgers, hedgehogs, martens.
The soil of the steppes and their properties
The main difference of the steppe from other natural zones is the increased fertility of the soil.
The humus layer here can reach 50 cm or more, while in the neighboring forest zone its thickness is only about 15 cm.
Steppe reserves of Russia
In Russia, 28 reserves have been created with a steppe or mixed-steppe zone, which are under special protection.
Among them are a reserve in Khakassia or the Taiga Museum of Nature, in which such rare animals as deer, musk deer, American mink and so on live.
Przewalski's horse in the Orenburg Reserve
Also the Orenburg Nature Reserve, the territory of which is 47,000 hectares. There are endangered designations of plants, for example, burnet, valerian, celandine, as well as 98 species of Red Book animals and birds.
Human activity in the steppe
Due to the fertility of the soil, the steppe is used by man to grow various crops, mainly drought-resistant plants: sunflower, cereals, corn, millet, and various melons. The unplowed area is given over to pastures.
Finally, some interesting facts:
- Steppe zones are found on the map of all the continents of the world, except for Antarctica.
- There are practically no trees in the steppe due to the lack of moisture necessary for their vital activity.
- Only in the steppe zone grows tumbleweed - a spherical shrub that is carried by the wind over long distances and scatters its seeds at this time.
- The South American Plain in America also includes the steppes, which are called differently - prairies.
Conclusion
The steppe is a unique natural zone, a storehouse of unique species of plants and animals that are under the threat of extinction and need our enhanced protection. Looking at the boundless steppe with its vast expanses, you understand that this territory with its incalculable wealth must be preserved for future generations.
Steppe types. Mountain (cryoxerophilous) Mountain (cryoxerophilous) Meadow or forb (mesoxerophilous) Meadow or forb (mesoxerophilous) True (xerophilous) True (xerophilous) Sazovy (haloxerophilic) Sazovy (haloxerophilic) Desert (superxerophilic) Desert (superxerophilic)
SteppeSteppeForest-steppeForest-steppe The steppe is the most natural zone transformed by man. The steppe is the most natural zone transformed by man. Continental climate Continental climate Moisture coefficient in the north 0.6; in the south 0.3. Moisture coefficient in the north 0.6; in the south 0.3. Precipitation is from 250 to 450 mm per year. Precipitation is from 250 to 450 mm per year. Treelessness, but there are wetlands 1. Treelessness, but there are wetlands 1. Increased number of dry years. Increased number of dry years. Dark chestnut soils. Dark chestnut soils. The degree of plowing does not reach 70-80%. The degree of plowing does not reach 70-80%. Average winter temperature: from -0 0 С to С; summer: from C to C. Average winter temperature: from -0 0 C to C; summer: from C to C. Forest-steppe is a natural zone characterized by a combination of forest and steppe areas. Forest-steppe is a natural zone characterized by a combination of forest and steppe areas. Temperate climate. Temperate climate. Humidity coefficient in the north 1; in the south 0.6. Humidity coefficient in the north 1; in the south 0.6. Rainfall from 300 to 450 mm. Rainfall from 300 to 450 mm. The presence of fields and forest belts. The presence of fields and forest belts. Brown forest and soddy-podzolic soils. Brown forest and soddy-podzolic soils. Degree of plowing 80%. Degree of plowing 80%. Average winter temperature: from C to C; summer: C to C. Average winter temperature: C to C; summer: from C to C. How do steppes differ from forest-steppes?
Inland waters. Own river network of steppes and forest-steppes is rare and shallow. Own river network of steppes and forest-steppes is rare and shallow. Ground waters lie deep, so they practically do not participate in the feeding of rivers. Ground waters lie deep, so they practically do not participate in the feeding of rivers. In summer, the rivers become shallow, which greatly complicates the water supply of the population and navigation even on large rivers. In summer, the rivers become shallow, which greatly complicates the water supply of the population and navigation even on large rivers. The population is rare, due to the fact that groundwater is deep. The population is rare, due to the fact that groundwater is deep. Wells are dug to a depth of m, because water supply is difficult in watershed areas. Wells are dug to a depth of m, because water supply is difficult in watershed areas.
Problems of the steppe and forest-steppe. Wet years in the forest-steppe alternate with dry ones. Wet years in the forest-steppe alternate with dry ones. In summer, hot and dry winds blow - dry winds, which are most detrimental to cultivated plants. wind erosion. In summer, hot and dry winds blow - dry winds, which are most detrimental to cultivated plants. wind erosion. Soil-forming loess and loess-like loams are easily eroded. Soil erosion. Prolonged plowing of soils has led to their depletion. Soil-forming loess and loess-like loams are easily eroded. Soil erosion. Prolonged plowing of soils has led to their depletion. The relief is dominated by erosional forms: river valleys, gullies and ravines. The relief is dominated by erosional forms: river valleys, gullies and ravines. The river network is rare and shallow. water erosion. The river network is rare and shallow. water erosion. Deep groundwater. Deep groundwater. In the steppes, rodents cause great harm to agriculture. They destroy a significant part of the crop, harm forest plantations. In the steppes, rodents cause great harm to agriculture. They destroy a significant part of the crop, harm forest plantations. Deforestation. Deforestation.
Problem solving. Carry out agrotechnical measures to combat drought and soil erosion. Carry out agrotechnical measures to combat drought and soil erosion. Soils respond well to fertilization due to their depletion. Soils respond well to fertilization due to their depletion. Steppe saucers play a positive role: after snowmelt and rains, they replenish groundwater reserves and weaken soil erosion. Steppe saucers play a positive role: after snowmelt and rains, they replenish groundwater reserves and weaken soil erosion. There is a fight against gophers. There is a fight against gophers.
Findings. Forest-steppes and steppes are the most human-modified natural zones. Almost all natural landscapes have been transformed, and areas of untouched nature can only be found in reserves. Favorable climate, fertile soils have led to active agriculture. However, the strongest anthropogenic pressure on nature also has a negative side. Ravines and gullies, these ulcers on the body of the Earth, have become an inevitable part of the steppe landscapes. Forest-steppes and steppes are the most human-modified natural zones. Almost all natural landscapes have been transformed, and areas of untouched nature can only be found in reserves. Favorable climate, fertile soils have led to active agriculture. However, the strongest anthropogenic pressure on nature also has a negative side. Ravines and gullies, these ulcers on the body of the Earth, have become an inevitable part of the steppe landscapes.
Uibat steppe of Russia
The soil of the Russian steppes is largely chernozem, lying most often on a layer of loess-like clays with a significant lime content. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches the greatest thickness and obesity, as it sometimes contains up to 16% of humus. To the south, the chernozem becomes poorer in humus, becomes lighter and turns into chestnut soils, and then completely disappears.
Steppe climate
The climate on the territory of the Russian steppes is temperate continental, winters are cold, sunny and snowy, and summers are hot and dry. The average temperature in January is -19 °C, in July - +19 °C, with typical deviations up to -35 °C and +35 °C. The climate of the steppes is also characterized by a long frost-free period, high average annual and average monthly temperatures. There is little precipitation here - from 300 to 450 mm. Hot dry winds often blow. Sometimes they turn into dust storms. Rain is rare here. They are usually rainy. A downpour passes quickly, and most of the water, before I have time to water the soil, flows in streams into the lowlands.
Vegetable world
The vegetation consists mainly of grasses, growing in small tufts, between which bare soil is visible. The most widespread are various types of feather grass, especially pinnate feather grass with silky white feathery awns. It often covers large areas. On very fat steppes, species of feather grass develop, differing in much larger sizes. Smaller feather grass grows on dry barren steppes. After feather grass, the most important role is played by various species of the genus Tonkonog ( Koeleria). They are found everywhere in the steppe, but play a special role east of the Ural Mountains, some species are excellent food for sheep.
The stock of plant mass in the steppes is much less than in the forest zone.
Animal world
Both in terms of species composition and some ecological features, the fauna of the steppe has much in common with the fauna of the desert. Just like in the desert, the steppe is characterized by high aridity, only slightly less than in the desert. Animals are active in summer, mostly at night. Many of them are drought-resistant or active in spring, when there is still moisture left after winter. Of the ungulates, species are typical that are distinguished by sharp eyesight and the ability to run quickly and for a long time; from rodents - building complex burrows (ground squirrels, marmots, mole rats) and jumping species (jerboas). Most of the birds fly away for the winter. Common for the steppe are the steppe eagle, bustard, steppe harrier, steppe kestrel, and lark. Reptiles and insects are numerous.
Soils
Khomutovskaya steppe. A herd of horses grazes in freedom
The climate of the steppes is very dry, so the steppe lands suffer from a lack of moisture. Due to the fertility of the land, there are many arable lands and places for grazing livestock, so the steppes suffer. The soil in the steppe is chernozem, lying most often on a thickness of loess-like clays, with a significant content of lime. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches the greatest thickness and obesity, as it sometimes contains up to 16% of humus. To the south, the chernozem becomes smaller, it becomes lighter and turns into chestnut soils, and then completely disappears.
Human economic activity in the steppe zone is limited by natural conditions. In the steppe zone, such types of economic activities as cattle breeding and agriculture are common. Mostly vegetables, cereals and gourds are grown in the steppes, but often additional irrigation is required to obtain a full-fledged crop. Cattle of meat and dairy breeds, sheep and horses are also bred on the territory of the steppe. Most of the villages are distributed along water bodies - rivers or artificial ponds.
The steppe is an excellent area for agriculture, both for crop production, growing crops such as wheat, corn, sunflower, and for grazing, thanks to the presence of grasses. Agricultural activity is traditionally developed in the steppe regions. “The further the steppe became more beautiful. Then the whole south, all the space that makes up today's Novorossia, right up to the Black Sea, was a green, virgin desert. Never has a plow passed over immeasurable waves of wild plants; only the horses, hiding in them, as in a forest, trampled them down. Nothing in nature could be better: the entire surface of the earth seemed to be a green-gold ocean, over which millions of different colors splashed. Through the thin, tall stalks of grass, blue, blue and purple hairs showed through; yellow gorse jumped up with its pyramidal top; white porridge was full of umbrella-shaped caps on the surface; brought in, God knows where, an ear of wheat poured into the thick. Partridges darted under their thin roots, stretching out their necks. The air was filled with a thousand different bird whistles. The hawks stood motionless in the sky, spreading their wings and motionlessly fixing their eyes on the grass. The cry of a cloud of wild geese moving to the side resounded in God knows what distant lake. A gull rose from the grass with measured waves and luxuriously bathed in the blue waves of the air; there she disappeared in the sky and only flickers like one black dot! There she turned her wings and flashed before the sun! Damn you, steppes, how good you are!”
And in Transbaikalia.
The soil is chernozem, lying most often on the thickness of loess-like clays with a significant content of lime. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches the greatest thickness and obesity, as it sometimes contains up to 16% of humus. To the south, the chernozem becomes poorer in humus, becomes lighter and turns into chestnut soils, and then completely disappears.
Encyclopedic YouTube
1 / 3
✪ Steppes of Russia. Video lesson on the world around 4th grade
✪ 6/5 Forest-steppes, steppes and semi-deserts
✪ Steppe, savanna and tundra (says biologist Igor Zhigarev)
Subtitles
Steppe climate
In the steppe regions, the climate is temperate continental, winters are cold, sunny and snowy, and summers are hot and dry. The average temperature in January is -19 °C, in July - +19 °C, with typical deviations up to -35 °C and +35 °C. The climate of the steppes is also characterized by a long frost-free period, high average annual and average monthly temperatures.
Vegetable world
The vegetation consists mainly of grasses, growing in small tufts, between which bare soil is visible. The most common are various types of feather grass, especially feather grass with silky white feathery awns. It often covers large areas. On very fat steppes, species of feather grass develop, differing in much larger sizes. Smaller feather grass grows on dry barren steppes. After feather grass, the most important role is played by various species of the genus Tonkonog ( Koeleria). They are found everywhere in the steppe, but play a special role east of the Ural Mountains, some species are excellent food for sheep.
The stock of plant mass in the steppes is much less than in the forest zone.
Animal world
Both in terms of species composition and some ecological features, the fauna of the steppe has much in common with the fauna of the desert. Just like in the desert, the steppe is characterized by high aridity, only slightly less than in the desert. Animals are active in summer, mostly at night. Many of them are drought-resistant or active in spring, when there is still moisture left after winter. Of the ungulates, species are typical that are distinguished by sharp eyesight and the ability to run quickly and for a long time; from rodents - building complex burrows (ground squirrels, marmots, mole rats) and jumping species (jerboas). Most of the birds fly away for the winter. Common for the steppe are the steppe eagle, bustard, steppe harrier, steppe kestrel, and lark. Reptiles and insects are numerous.
Soils
The climate of the steppes is very dry, so the steppe lands suffer from a lack of moisture. Due to the fertility of the land, there are many arable lands and places for grazing livestock, so the steppes suffer. The soil in the steppe is chernozem, lying most often on a thickness of loess-like clays, with a significant content of lime. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches the greatest thickness and obesity, as it sometimes contains up to 16% of humus. To the south, the chernozem becomes smaller, it becomes lighter and turns into chestnut soils, and then completely disappears.
Economic activity
Human economic activity in the steppe zone is limited by natural conditions. Common cattle breeding and agriculture. Mainly grown cereals, vegetables, melons culture. But, often, irrigation is required. bred cattle of meat and dairy breeds, sheep and horses. Settlements are common along water bodies - rivers or artificial ponds.
The steppe is an excellent area for classes “The steppe became more beautiful the farther it went. Then the whole south, all the space that makes up the present Novorossia, to the very Black Sea, was a green, virgin desert. Never has a plow passed over immeasurable waves of wild plants; only the horses, hiding in them, as in a forest, trampled them. Nothing in nature could be better: the entire surface of the earth seemed to be a green-gold ocean, over which millions of different colors splashed. Through the thin, tall stalks of grass, blue, blue and purple hairs showed through; yellow gorse jumped up with its pyramidal top; white porridge was full of umbrella-shaped caps on the surface; brought in, God knows where, an ear of wheat poured into the thick. Partridges darted under their thin roots, stretching out their necks. The air was filled with a thousand different bird whistles. The hawks stood motionless in the sky, spreading their wings and motionlessly fixing their eyes on the grass. The cry of a cloud of wild geese moving to the side resounded in God knows what distant lake. A gull rose from the grass with measured waves and luxuriously bathed in the blue waves of the air; there she disappeared in the sky and only flickers like one black dot! There she turned her wings and flashed before the sun! Damn you, steppes, how good you are!”