Abstract
The article presents data on the degradation of the chemical and physico-chemical composition of rice-paddy soils and methods for restoring their fertility based on the results of agrochemical studies conducted at the Akdala rice-growing massif in 2024. The humus content in rice-paddy soils is very low, ranging from 0.86–2.01% in the topsoil (0–25 cm) and 0.63–1.78% in the subsoil (25–40 cm). The degree of salinity in the rice-paddy soils across the massif varies, including slightly, moderately, and highly saline soils, as well as solonchaks. "Rice-marsh soils of 'Marat' Farm and 'Otes' LLP are characterized by medium and increased content of easily hydrolyzable nitrogen (49.0–59.5 mg/kg), whereas the soils of 'Otes-Akdala' LLP and 'Popov' LLP show high levels (77.0–80.5 mg/kg). Regarding mobile phosphorus content, the soils of 'Popov' LLP, 'Marat' Farm, and 'Otes' LLP are classified as having very low and low availability (6.0– 16.0 mg/kg), while the soils of 'Otes-Akdala' LLP show an increased level of availability. In terms of exchangeable potassium content, the soils of the massif range from low (100–200 mg/kg) and medium (<201–300 mg/kg) to high (401–600 mg/kg) availability levels." To restore the fertility of rice-paddy soils and ensure high-quality yields of rice and other crops, it is essential to implement the proposed agro-meliorative, agro-technical, and agro-chemical measures in a timely manner. The effectiveness of organic and mineral fertilizers applied to rice and other crops depends on the content of mobile nutrients in the soil and the planned yield targets. For rice crops, effective nitrogen fertilizer rates are: 60–90 kg/ha after alfalfa sod, 90–120 kg/ha after the second year of sod, and 130–150 kg/ha in the third year after sod. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer rates range from 60–120 kg/ha and 30–60 kg/ha, respectively, depending on the soil nutrient content and the target yield for rice and other crops.