ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR RESTORING FERTILITY AND IMPROVING THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOILS

The conducted analysis of the humus balance dynamics in the Tambov region in 1971-2018 showed a steady decrease in the content of organic matter in the soil, which can be associated with insufficient livestock in agricultural organizations, problems with the use of technologies for processing and applying organic fertilizers. The amount of organic matter introduced into the soil must be increased to replenish the humus content in the soil. A solution to this problem is proposed using green manure. The costs of their cultivation are 3-4 times less than the preparation and application of manure. The need for a differentiated approach to maintaining fertility, taking into account local conditions, is shown. Field or forage crop rotation with green manure fallow is recommended for the Tambov region, depending on the focus of the enterprise (crop production or livestock farming). Three technologies for processing green manure fallow, including mowing, crushing and incorporation of plant mass, are proposed. The technological scheme using a machine-tractor unit, including a tractor of the MTZ-80L class, a frontmounted mower-chopper developed by the authors and a disc harrow, is recommended as the most promising. During the forward movement of the unit, the stems of the plants are bent forward in the direction of travel, due to the trough-shaped body they are formed into an array, which enters the crushing zone at an angle that ensures supporting cutting of plants with a minimum cutting area. Operational tests of the mower-chopper of green manure crops and stubble residues ISN-2.2-1 showed that the technological process of crushing plants is carried out stably and with a quality that meets agrotechnological requirements.