The Impact of Shelterbelts on the Nutrient Regime as Well as Enzymatic and Biological Activity of Soils

The creation and maintenance of highly productive, ecologically sustainable agricultural soils in accordance with modern conditions is impossible without shelterbelts. The studies were carried out under shelterbelts of the dry steppe zone of the Republic of Armenia, as well as under individual tree species. The changes in the content of organic matter, mobile nutrients, microbial processes and enzymatic activity in the soil and their influence were revealed.

In order to identify the impact of the shelterbelts, as well as individual tree species, on changes in organic matter, mobile nutrients, as well as microbial processes and enzymatic activity in soils, soil sampling was carried out (from 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 cm layers). Microbiological studies were carried out by sowing on solid and liquid nutrient media. The activities of invertase, urease and catalase were investigated from enzymes.The research was carried out in 1988 (the year of the shelterbelt establishment) and 2023 under the shelterbelts based on kastanozems of Kotayk region.

Under the shelterbelts, over the course of 35 years, the amount of humus and mobile nutrients increases by 0.8% and 26–32%, respectively, which gradually decreases as they go farther away. During this time, the amount of bacteria and bacilli increases by 1.6-3.4 times and the content of oligonitrophiles, actinomycetes and nitrifiers decreases by 1.2-2.3 times. The activity of enzymes increases by about 14–67%. The establishment of shelterbelts in the conditions of global climate change is of great importance for the implementation of long-term programs for combating soil degradation and environmental protection.