Phyto-technology for Remediation of Chernozem in the South of Moldova

Experiments were established on Common chernozem in Cahul District to repair the degraded plough layer by enhancing its productivity. After establishing baseline conditions, strips were established with sulla + rye-grass, lucerne + rye-grass and winter vetch as a catch crop for green manure. In parallel, a plot was established with application of 50 t/ha fermented sheep manure. Over 4 years, a mixture of perennial legumes and grasses improved the physical state of the plough layer. A significant improvement of humus content and soil structure was achieved by using vetch as green manure within a 4/5 field crop rotation; with just one harvest of vetch as green manure, the content of soil organic matter increased by 0.19 %, with a parallel improvement of the physical state of the degraded arable layer and a 20–30 % benefit to the following crop.