THE ECO-PEDOLOGICAL AND PEDO- FUNCTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF CHERNOZEM SUITABILITY TO UNCONVENTIONAL TILLAGE SYSTEMS FROM THE DNIESTER-PRUT INTERFLUVE

Abstract

Some elements, even unconventional tillage systems have come to the attention of both research and production activities starting from the early nineteen eighties. Although research in the pilot lands have revealed promising results, until recently they remained unsolicited. The main factor that has supported such a situation was the total dependence to conventional farming systems, based on plowing, and this is supported by the low prices practiced by energy agents and also by the low prices of mineral fertilizers. In addition, in relation to economic interests, conventional systems materialized into increased land productivity and income. At the same time, in relation to ecologic balance, they have produced profound changes, evidenced by increased vulnerability to the actions of various soil degradation processes, diseases and pests and the emergence of new limiting factors. Specified negative consequences accumulate from one year to another, from one stage to another. More frequently, the specified changes affect attributes like (bulk density, structure, porosity etc.) and soil physical regimes (moisture, aeration, heat etc.). Also the chemical and biological characteristics of soil undergo significant changes. This paper is an analysis of the behavior of soils under unconventional tillage systems.