Distribution of moisture reserves by relief elements under the influence of agroforest landscape complexes in different weather conditions

In the experiment on the organization and management of contour-meliorative agriculture of the Federal Agricultural Kursk Research Center in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Central Black Earth Region on typical medium-deep heavy loamy chernozem in years with different moisture conditions, the influence of soil-protective agroforest-landscape complexes on the distribution of moisture reserves in the soil by relief elements was studied. In one of the sites, the soil-protective agroforest-landscape complex is represented by runoff-regulating forest belts with a water-catching ditch and a water-retaining rampart; in another site, in addition to similar forest belts, the soil-protective complex included ramparts-terraces. An agrolandscape site without elements of anti-erosion protection was used as a control option. In 2022, there were contrasting moisture conditions. According to the hydrothermal coefficient (HTC), in the first half of the barley vegetation period they were characterized as sufficient (HTC 1.43), and arid (HTC 0.50) in the second half. In 2023, buckwheat grew under sufficient moisture conditions (HTC 1.25) and in 2024, when growing winter wheat, the moisture conditions were arid (HTC 0.64). Under arid conditions, the moisture-saving effect of soil-protecting agroforest landscape complexes was manifested, expressed in the preservation of previously accumulated moisture on the slopes in the space between the forest belts. Under conditions of sufficient moisture, the hydromeliorative effect of agroforest landscape complexes was manifested, expressed in a decrease in excess moisture in the soil. In areas with soil-protecting agroforest landscape complexes, the difference in moisture reserves in the soil between the upland and slopes is less pronounced, compared to an area without anti-erosion protection, which indicates a more uniform distribution of moisture in the agro-landscape territory under their influence.