Features and assessment of decolorization of chernozems of Ukraine

The article presents the results of colorimetry and practical study of the processes of decolorization of chernozems by using a scanner as one of the effective and available methods for assessing soil color at the macromorphological level. The infl uence of moisture on the objectivity of the color parameters of typical chernozem samples in the color space of the CIE L*a*b* system is experimentally analyzed. Based on the parameters of brightness (L*), red (a*) and yellow (b*) color components, the color differences of typical chernozems of arable land and adjacent forest belts were established, and the horizontal color heterogeneity of the arable horizon of plain and slope areas was determined. The results of the study indicate that chernozems undergo an intense change in the natural color on slopes with a steepness of ≥ 4%. In soil samples, an increase in the range of the chromatic index b* indicates a low humus content and an increase in the role of loess loams in the pigmentation of the arable horizon. Compared to arable land, soil samples of typical chernozem taken under forest belts are characterized by low brightness (L*) and high levels of humus. The obtained results show the possibility of using this approach to assess the quality state of chernozems. In addition, a direct study of the color of chernozems will allow obtaining data regardless of weather conditions, the presence of vegetation, and soil cultivation technology. The minimized infl uence of the external environment on the process of fi xing the color parameters of the soil will contribute to the objectivity of information, which can later be used as an addition to the results of remote sensing. The formation of a digital database of color data will allow localizing areas of manifestation of decolorization of chernozems and assessing the risks associated with the soil management system.