MAN-INDUCED SOIL PHYSICAL DEGRADATION

The rate of soil physical properties degradation has been assessed in terms of the soil mass structural hierarchical organization, the degra dation agents being: compaction caused by heavy field machinery, prolo nged application of mineral fertilizers, and irrigation. The highest p ermissible levels of changes in physical properties of irrigated chern ozems have been determined. A software system for monitoring the soil physical status has been proposed to evaluate the degradation phenomen a.