ARS | Publication request: IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CONDITIONS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN AGRICULTURAL AREAS OF KAZAKHSTAN

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: September 20, 2006
Publication Date: August 29, 2007
Citation: Busscher, W.J., Novak, J.M., Kozybaeva, F., Jalankuzov, T., Suleymenov, B. 2007. Improvement of soil physical and chemical conditions to promote sustainable crop production in agricultural areas of Kazakhstan. In: Lal, R., Suleimenov, M., Stewart, B.A., Hansen, D.O., Doraiswamy, P., editors. Climate Change and Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration in Central Asia. New York, NY:Taylor & Francis. p. 251-256.

Technical Abstract: Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world with vast resources for development; one of those resources is its soil. Soils have developed under a variety of conditions though most of the country is semi-arid to arid steppe with much of its agriculture dependent on irrigation. Soils have degraded under ill-advised management practices dictated by previous administrations. Under current market forces, soils are experiencing a new set of demands. While some soils are no longer in production, others are experiencing increased demands to help feed and clothe the country and provide exports. New management systems need to be researched that improve soil productivity while maintaining their sustainability and environmental safety. Some effective ways to manage the soils are to (a) increase their organic carbon content which will improve their physical and chemical properties and (b) increase the use of cover crops and decrease overgrazing which will decrease erosion.