The private-rental 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), it has been headed by Vladimir Valenko, and the chief agronomist is Alexander Samoiluk, who has 35 years of experience in his specialty.
Land fund Agriculture is about 2000 hectares, the machine and tractor park is equipped with modern equipment, including tractors, seeders, a silage harvester, a self-propelled sprayer and soil cultivation units. The structure of crop rotations includes sunflower (300 ha), corn + sunflower (450 ha), barley (200 ha), annual grasses (300 ha), sorghum-sudan and sugar hybrids (350 ha), as well as wheat and perennial forage grasses. “Mazharka” is a powerful diversified farm, therefore, in addition to growing field crops (cereals and industrial crops), they also keep more than a thousand heads of cattle, sheep and horses.
In agriculture, only advanced technologies are used, and despite the difficult and unpredictable conditions of the typical Steppe, today the Mazharka private enterprise is one of the leaders in the region in terms of production indicators. In particular, the yield of corn for grain last year amounted to more than 71 c/ha (by the way, drought-resistant hybrids of the Artesian line were adopted here), barley - about 33, sunflower - at least 30 c/ha (oilseeds are grown on the farm according to traditional and Express Sun technologies). In agriculture, they have completely switched to energy-saving processing technology and abandoned the use of traditional plowing - only deep loosening up to 35 cm, disking. This is how the soil structure is preserved and moisture is accumulated.
Due attention is paid in agriculture to the protection of crops: despite various limiting factors, protective treatments of crops are carried out in a timely manner and in the required quantities. If necessary, in case of non-standard situations, additional chemical treatments are performed.
Since the company opened economic activity in the steppe, the agronomist has to carefully think through 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 once every seven years . The peculiarities of economic activity in the steppe zone are that the rainless period often lasts more than 100 days. But even under such conditions, the farm manages to obtain a corn yield of 245 c/ha (for silage) and 380 c/ha (for silage) of American sorghum selection. By the way, last year we had to replant winter wheat with the sorghum-sudan hybrid Ute BMR. Despite the fact that we waited for the first rain in June, we collected 330 c/ha of silage. This year, after harvesting winter wheat, the company plans to sow the sorghum-sudan hybrid Koso, which is capable of rapid regrowth of green mass. And the managers are also ready for a bold experiment, which involves overseeding sorghum-sudang sorghum into the existing crops of winter barley. Having discussed everything possible risks, they are sure not best option than this one. Barley is sown on an area of 200 hectares. Overseeding of sorghum is planned to be carried out across the rows of barley with a seeding rate of 200 thousand viable seeds per hectare and a row spacing of 70 cm. Subsequently, after mowing the barley, the sorghum will remain to grow. In general, in 2019, sorghum crops on the farm will amount to 350 hectares, of which 250 hectares are sorghum-Sudan hybrids (Ute SMR and Koso) and 100 hectares are sugar hybrids (Mohawk and G1990). The juicy tasselless sorghum hybrid G1990 will improve the silage of corn, which, in the event of heat and drought, loses moisture from 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 the fungi Beauveria bassiana, strain mg301 (gha), Beauveria bassiana, strain mg302 (db-1) and the bacteria Azospirillum spp. - mg401, Azotobacter spp. - mg402 as well as vitamins, amino acids, microelements and other biologically active substances. Thanks to seed inoculation, mineral nutrition, resistance to diseases and soil pests, and also, which is important for the Steppe zone, improve drought and heat resistance of plants.
To avoid repeated frosts, sowing of silage sorghum is planned to begin in the first ten days of May, and sorghum-sudan hybrids - after harvesting winter wheat. The agronomist noted that sweet sorghum is loved by aphids because it is juicy and sweet, but silage sorghum of American selection from the Reilin subsidiary is resistant to aphids. That is why last year, 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 – endless plains, covered with herbaceous plants.
For steppe zone characteristic almost complete absence trees, dense grass cover and increased soil fertility.
Steppes of Russia - location and description of the natural area
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 in the territories of the East European Plain, Western Siberia, and is also included in the geographical regions of the Azov region.
Plants of the steppe zone
As soon as spring comes, the steppe is covered with a multi-colored carpet. These are early bloomers flowering plants: tulips, forget-me-nots, poppies. They typically have a short growing season and bloom only a few days a year.
The steppe zone is characterized by a conditional “forbs”, when on one square meter There are up to eighty plant species growing on the earth.
Many steppe plants have hairs, spines (thistles), or secrete essential oil(wormwood) to protect against excess evaporation. That's why steppe grasses have a strong smell.
The northern steppe is characterized by shrubs: almonds, steppe cherries, and the southern steppe is characterized by 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 ungulates such as saiga, bison, antelope, roe deer and even some birds, such as the bustard.
The most common inhabitants of the steppe are rodents: marmots, gophers, field mice. Many are endemic species, meaning they are not found in any other area.
Gopher at the hole
Due to the abundance of rodents, the entire underground section of the steppe is pitted with burrows, which protect not only from bad weather, but also from attacks by predators. Burrows are also typical for some birds: hoopoes, wheatears, but most of the birds that live here nest directly on the ground.
It often happens that other animals occupy other people's holes. For example, wolves take over the homes of foxes and badgers, ferrets and stoats inhabit the burrows of large rodents, and mints, 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. The fertile steppe soils are occupied by agricultural crops, while the natural vegetation of the steppes almost no longer exists.
The predecessors of domestic animals have long disappeared: the aurochs bull, tarpan horses, which can now only be seen in photographs.
Many species of steppe animals are in danger of extinction; their names are listed in the Red Book, for example, bustard, saiga, gophers, bison, antelope, and so on.
Human economic activity continues, and every day new species of animals are under threat. Some of them can only be found in nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
Climate Features
Steppes are located in the subtropical and temperate zones of the northern and southern hemispheres, this is studied in grades 3-4 of primary school.
The steppe zone includes classical characteristics temperate zone: Summer here is warm, dry, and hot winds called dry winds often blow.
At the end of summer, the steppe looks gray due to dry grass and dust. Heavy rains are rare, after which the water quickly evaporates without having time to saturate the soil.
Winter puts a stop to life in the steppe: the endless expanses of the steppes are covered with a thick layer of snow, and piercing winds blow.
Feeding scheme of the steppe zone
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, for example, the steppe eagle, which is the top of the food chain of the steppe, as well as predatory animals: badgers, hedgehogs, martens.
Steppe soil and its properties
The main difference between the steppe and other natural zones is the increased soil fertility.
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 nature reserves have been created with a steppe or mixed-steppe zone, which are under special protection.
Among them is a nature reserve in Khakassia or the Taiga Museum of Nature, where rare animals such as deer, musk deer, American mink and so on live.
Przewalski's horse in the Orenburg Nature Reserve
Also Orenburg nature reserve, whose territory covers 47,000 hectares. Here you can find endangered plant designations, 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 humans for growing different cultures, these are mainly drought-resistant plants: sunflower, cereals, corn, millet, various melons. The unplowed area is allocated for pastures.
Finally, a few interesting facts:
- Steppe zones are found on the map of all continents of the world, except Antarctica.
- There are practically no trees in the steppe due to the lack of moisture necessary for their life.
- Only in the steppe zone does tumbleweed grow - 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 steppes, which are called differently - prairies.
Conclusion
The steppe is a unique natural area, a storehouse of unique species of plants and animals that are in danger of extinction and need our enhanced protection. Looking at the endless steppe with its vast expanses, you understand that this territory with its incalculable wealth must be preserved for future generations.
And in Transbaikalia.
The soil is chernozem, most often lying on a layer of loess-like clay with a significant lime content. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches its greatest thickness and fatness, as it sometimes contains up to 16% humus. To the south, the black soil 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 us, grade 4
✪ 6/5 Forest-steppes, steppes and semi-deserts
✪ Steppe, savanna and tundra (biologist Igor Zhigarev tells)
Subtitles
Steppe climate
In the steppe areas 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 and high average annual and average monthly temperatures.
Vegetable world
The vegetation consists mainly of grasses, growing in small tufts with bare soil visible between them. Most common different kinds feather grass, especially feather feather grass with silky white feathery awns. It often covers completely large areas. On very rich steppes, feather grass species develop that differ much large sizes. On dry, barren steppes, smaller feather grass grows. After feather grass, the most important role is played by various species of the Tonkonog genus ( Koeleria). They are found throughout the steppe, but play a special role east of the Ural Mountains; some species provide excellent food for sheep.
The stock of plant mass in the steppes is significantly less than in the forest zone.
Animal world
What is it in species composition, and for some environmental features, animal world The steppe has much in common with the animal world 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, mainly at night. Many of them are drought-resistant or active in the spring, when there is still moisture left after winter. Of the ungulates, typical species are distinguished by acute vision and the ability to run quickly and for a long time; of rodents - those that build complex burrows (gophers, marmots, mole rats) and jumping species (jerboas). Most 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 lands of the steppes 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, most often lying on a layer of loess-like clays with a significant lime content. This chernozem in the northern strip of the steppe reaches its greatest thickness and richness, as it sometimes contains up to 16% humus. To the south, there is less chernozem, 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. Distributed cattle breeding And agriculture. Mainly grown cereals, vegetables, melons culture. But often irrigation is required. Bred large cattle meat and dairy breeds, sheep And horses. Villages are spread along bodies of water - rivers or artificial ponds.
The steppe is an excellent area for activities “The further the steppe went, the more beautiful it became. Then the entire south, all that space that makes up present-day Novorossiya, right up to the Black Sea, was a green, virgin desert. Never has the 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 like a green-golden ocean, over which millions splashed different colors. Blue, blue and purple hairs showed through the thin, tall stems of grass; the yellow gorse jumped up with its pyramidal top; white porridge dotted the surface with umbrella-shaped caps; brought in, God knows from where, the ear of wheat was filling up in the thick. Partridges darted under their thin roots, stretching out their necks. The air was filled with a thousand different bird whistles. 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 was heard in God knows what distant lake. A seagull rose from the grass with measured strokes and bathed luxuriously in the blue waves of air; there she has disappeared in the heights and only flickers like a single black dot! There she turned her wings and flashed in front of the sun! Damn you, steppes, how good you are!”
The Eurasian steppe is located in temperate and subtropical climatic zones, and extends 8 thousand km from Hungary in the west through Ukraine, Russia and Central Russia to Manchuria in the east. The steppe zone of Russia is a flat area covered with grassy vegetation and practically devoid of trees, with the exception of river banks. Shrubs and many types of grasses grow well on steppe soils.
Eurasian steppe on the map of Eurasia/Wikipedia
As the climate from west to east of the country becomes sharply continental, the composition of flora and fauna changes. The steppes of Russia have very fertile lands, so much of the area has been converted to agricultural land. Human activity has led to the destruction of vast areas of virgin steppe, as well as a reduction in the number of unique species of plants and animals.
Geographical location and types of steppes in Russia
Steppe zone on the map of Russia
The Russian steppe zone extends from the Black Sea to Altai in the south of the country. The visual northern border is Tula, the Kama and Belaya rivers. In the south, the steppes reach the Caucasus Mountains. Part of the zone lies on, the other is located on West Siberian. When moving from south to east, steppe landscapes are found in the basins of Transbaikalia. The steppe zone borders on the forest-steppe in the north and also in the south. Natural conditions on the territory of the steppe are not the same. Hence the difference in composition flora. In Russia there are 4 following types of steppes:
- Mountain: The steppe lands of the Caucasus are covered with numerous types of grasses, with the exception of sedges.
- Meadow: occupy most of European Russia and Western Siberia. Forbs and cereals grow in this landscape area. The thick green carpet is enlivened by bright flower stalks.
- Feather grass: steppes Orenburg region cover varieties of feather grass.
- Desert: tumbleweed, twig grass and feather grass are found on the lands of Kalmykia. The vegetation cover of the territory has been significantly damaged by human activity.
Steppe climate
From south to east, the climate of the Russian steppe changes from moderate continental to sharply continental. The average winter temperature on the East European Plain is -5°C. At the borders of the Western European Plain, these indicators drop to -30°C. Winters have little snow and winds often blow.
Spring comes sharply, approaching, thanks to air masses, from the south and southwest. At the end of March the thermometer rises to 0°C. The snow is melting quickly, and there is practically no new precipitation.
The temperature in summer is +25°C, most days are clear and sunny. Precipitation occurs precisely on warm time year, at least 400 mm of them fall. The steppes are characterized by aridity. Dry winds dry out the soil, lead to erosion, and form ravines. A sharp drop in daily temperatures of 15°C makes steppes similar to deserts. The steppe autumn is long, there are practically no winds, until November average temperature is about 0°C.
The steppes in southern Russia are softer due to southern winds. The wind from the south brings wet air, which softens winters and reduces summer heat. In winter, cyclones often occur in the southern regions, and in summer, fogs form in river valleys.
The steppes in the west have a more severe climate; in winter, at a temperature of -50°C, the soil freezes to 100 cm. Little snow falls, and there are almost never thaws. The snow cover melts in mid-April. Summer, lasting three months, begins in May. The first frosts occur in October, and winter begins a month later.
Flora and fauna
The main cover of the steppe consists of cereal crops, growing in bunches, between which the earth is visible. Herbs tolerate heat and drought well. Some of them roll up their leaves to avoid evaporation. Feather grass is found more often than other plants. Its size depends on the region of growth. No less widespread in the steppe is the Tonkonog genus of cereals. The spike-shaped panicles of perennials are food for animals.
Most plants have dark colored foliage, which protects against excess moisture evaporation. Dwarf iris, meadow sage, Kermek, astragalus, meadowsweet, swordweed, and wormwood grow in the steppes. Honey plants are of great importance: sweet clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, phacelia, motherwort and sunflower.
The fauna of the Russian steppe zone cannot be called diverse. Large animals have nowhere to hide, so small animals can be found here: gophers, marmots, hamsters, jerboas and hedgehogs. The steppe fox feeds. Small animals serve as food for wolves, wild cats and ferrets. Among birds of prey Owls, hawks, harriers and buzzards are common. In addition to them, the steppes are inhabited by ducks, bustards, cranes and herons. In the steppe zone you can find amphibians and reptiles: frogs, toads, lizards and snakes. Steppe antelopes, saigas, live in herds, and have adapted for a long time do without water.
Soils
Chernozem was formed under the influence high temperatures and low humidity. It is characterized by high fertility. IN upper layers humus is actively formed. Its horizon in the Kuban region reaches 100 cm. To the south, due to drought, saline and saline soils are often found. In many areas, erosion is actively occurring on the surface. Under drought conditions, leaching of calcium, magnesium and sodium from the top layer can be observed. Chernozem contains billions of useful ones. The plowed lands of the steppes provide 80% of all agricultural production in Russia.
Economic activity
The first settlers of the steppes were engaged in cattle breeding. Then people began to actively plow the lands and sow them. Today, corn, wheat, sunflowers and rice are grown in these areas. The abundance of light and heat allows you to grow melons, melons and watermelons. In the south, part of the land is allocated for vineyards.
Grass cover is an excellent food source for livestock. In the steppe zone they breed poultry, sheep, pigs and cows. IN major cities factories are working. The terrain makes it possible to build long highways. The steppes are densely populated big cities adjacent to sparsely populated villages.
Environmental problems of the Russian steppes
Human activity, water and wind erosion lead to desertification of the steppes. The land becomes unsuitable for growing crops, and soil fertility decreases. Due to the reduction of vegetation, animal populations are declining. In the struggle for the harvest, people use fertilizers that pollute fragile crops. Artificial irrigation leads to soil salinization.
To preserve the unique steppe, it is necessary to strengthen measures to protect rare plants and animals and create new protected areas. In protected areas, vulnerable species will be able to recover faster. The steppes of Russia can still be preserved, but this requires joint efforts of the state and civil society.
This video lesson is intended for independent familiarization with the topic “Population and economy of forest-steppe and steppe zones.” From the teacher's lecture you will learn about what natural features are characteristic of the forest-steppe and steppe zones. Discuss how they influence the population and economy of these regions, and how people change and protect them.
Topic: Natural and economic zones of Russia
Lesson: Population and economy of forest-steppe and steppe zones
Purpose of the lesson: to learn about the features of the nature of steppes and forest-steppes and how they affect the lives and economic activities of people.
Natural zones of forest-steppes and steppes are the most developed and modified natural areas Russia. Forest-steppes and steppes have the most comfortable conditions for human life.
Rice. 1. Map of comfort of natural conditions ()
True forest-steppes and steppes can currently be seen only in nature reserves; all other territories have been heavily modified by humans and are used mainly for agriculture due to their fertile soils.
Rice. 2. Rostov Nature Reserve ()
Representatives of the peoples of the steppe zone - steppe dwellers - led a nomadic lifestyle and were engaged in cattle breeding. The steppe peoples include Kalmyks, Tuvinians, Kazakhs, Buryats, Kazakhs and others.
Steppes are open flat or hilly landscapes where grasses, grains, and flowers grow.
In the steppes and forest-steppes, people are actively involved in animal husbandry and agriculture. In the steppes they raise goats and sheep, horses and camels, and cattle. Some farms raise fish, fur-bearing animals, and poultry.
Rice. 4. Breeding poultry ()
Rice. 5. A flock of sheep in the steppe ()
On the Yule of the Urals in the Orenburg region, famous goats are bred; their wool is so thin that an Orenburg scarf knitted from this wool can be threaded into wedding ring. Actually, this is how some people check the authenticity of the Orenburg scarf.
In Buryatia and the foothills of the Caucasus, yaks are bred.
One of the main problems of steppes and forest-steppes is overgrazing. Animals eat only certain plants, which in turn disappear. In addition, overgrazing causes the vegetation to be trampled.
In the northern part of the steppes and forest-steppes they engage in farming. Steppes and forest-steppes are the main breadbaskets of Russia; wheat, corn, sunflowers, sugar beets, vegetables and fruits. To protect from the wind, shelterbelts are planted along the perimeter of the fields. In some places the steppes are 85% plowed!
Rice. 6. Sunflowers at sunset ()
Due to active human economic activity, many steppe species of plants and animals are disappearing, the soil is losing its fertility, and land is being polluted with chemical fertilizers. Also Negative influence the nature of the steppe and forest-steppe zones is affected by mining (for example, iron ores, coal), road construction, expansion of cities and towns. Therefore, steppes and forest-steppes need protection. For this purpose, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are being created, and activities are being carried out aimed at the rational use of the nature of these landscapes.
Rice. 7. Reserve "Black Lands" ()
The traditional dwelling of the peoples of the steppes is the yurt, which is a wooden frame covered with felt.
Homework
Paragraph 36.
1. Give examples of human economic activity in forest-steppes and steppes.
Bibliography
Main
1. Geography of Russia: Textbook. for 8-9 grades. general education institutions / Ed. A.I. Alekseeva: In 2 books. Book 1: Nature and population. 8th grade - 4th ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2009. - 320 p.
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3. Geography. 8th grade: atlas. - 4th ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, DIK, 2013. - 48 p.
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Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography. Modern illustrated encyclopedia / A.P. Gorkin - M.: Rosman-Press, 2006. - 624 p.
Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam
1. Thematic control. Geography. Nature of Russia. 8th grade: tutorial. - Moscow: Intellect-Center, 2010. - 144 p.
2. Tests on Russian geography: grades 8-9: textbooks, ed. V.P. Dronov “Geography of Russia. 8-9 grades: textbook. for general education institutions”/ V.I. Evdokimov. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 109 p.
3. Getting ready for the State Examination. Geography. 8th grade. Final testing in exam format./auth.-comp. T.V. Abramova. - Yaroslavl: Development Academy LLC, 2011. - 64 p.
4. Tests. Geography. 6-10 grades: Educational and methodological manual / A.A. Letyagin. - M.: LLC "Agency "KRPA "Olympus": "Astrel", "AST", 2001. - 284 p.
Materials on the Internet
1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().
2. Russian geographical society ().