Changes in physical properties of soils and soil processes as derived from the data of a long-term lysimetric experiment (1951-2002)

Significant changes in the properties of soddy-podzolic soils with different profile composition in large (8 m 2 x 1.75 m) lysimeters were observed over a period of 30 years at the Soil Research Station, Moscow State University: the content of the clay fraction decreased in the topsoil and increased in the lower layers of the soil profile, the content of silica in the upper soil layers increased, the soil became more compacted, and the aggregate diameters increased. Periods of formation, stabilization, and relative independence of lysimeter runoff on precipitation were distinguished in the long-term dynamics. A decrease in the differences between treatments was observed for soil properties and lysimeter runoff.