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Article

Salinity of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Chernozems and Kastanozems: A Case Study of Causes and Consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan

by
Dauren Rakhmanov
1,2,
Bořivoj Šarapatka
1,*,
Marek Bednář
1,
Jan Černohorský
1 and
Kamilla Alibekova
1
1
Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Palacký University, 17. listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic
2
Department of Agrotechnology, Toraighyrov University, Lomov 64, Pavlodar 140008, Kazakhstan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Soil Syst. 2025, 9(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020057
Submission received: 18 March 2025 / Revised: 20 May 2025 / Accepted: 22 May 2025 / Published: 28 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Soil Management and Conservation: 2nd Edition)

Abstract

This study investigated soil salinization processes in the Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan by comparing key soil parameters—namely, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions across different agro-climatic zones and soil types (Haplic Chernozems, Haplic Kastanozems). The focus was on understanding the effects of irrigation and natural factors on soil salinization. Statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics and significance testing, was employed to evaluate differences between soil types, locations, and management practices. The research revealed secondary salinization (EC > 2 dS/m, ESP > 15%) in the topsoil of irrigated Haplic Kastanozems soils in the central Aksu district. This degradation was markedly higher than in non-irrigated plots or irrigated Haplic Chernozems in the northern Irtysh district, highlighting the high vulnerability of Haplic Kastanozems soils under current irrigation management given Aksu’s climatic conditions, which are characterized by high evaporative demand (driven by summer temperatures) and specific precipitation patterns that contribute to soil moisture deficits without irrigation. While ESP indicated sodicity, SAR values remained low. Natural factors, including potentially saline parent materials and likely shallow groundwater dynamics influenced by irrigation, appear to contribute to the observed patterns. The findings underscore the need for implementing optimized irrigation and drainage management, particularly in the Aksu district, potentially including water-saving techniques (e.g., drip irrigation) and selection of salt/sodicity-tolerant crops. A comprehensive approach integrating improved water management, agronomic practices, and potentially soil amendments is crucial for mitigating soil degradation and ensuring sustainable agriculture in the Pavlodar region. Further investigation including groundwater monitoring is recommended.
Keywords: soil salinization; groundwater; irrigation; precipitation; leaching soil salinization; groundwater; irrigation; precipitation; leaching

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Rakhmanov, D.; Šarapatka, B.; Bednář, M.; Černohorský, J.; Alibekova, K. Salinity of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Chernozems and Kastanozems: A Case Study of Causes and Consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan. Soil Syst. 2025, 9, 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020057

AMA Style

Rakhmanov D, Šarapatka B, Bednář M, Černohorský J, Alibekova K. Salinity of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Chernozems and Kastanozems: A Case Study of Causes and Consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan. Soil Systems. 2025; 9(2):57. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020057

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rakhmanov, Dauren, Bořivoj Šarapatka, Marek Bednář, Jan Černohorský, and Kamilla Alibekova. 2025. "Salinity of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Chernozems and Kastanozems: A Case Study of Causes and Consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan" Soil Systems 9, no. 2: 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020057

APA Style

Rakhmanov, D., Šarapatka, B., Bednář, M., Černohorský, J., & Alibekova, K. (2025). Salinity of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Chernozems and Kastanozems: A Case Study of Causes and Consequences in the Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan. Soil Systems, 9(2), 57. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems9020057

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