THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF INTRODUCING SAND INTO DRAINED PEATSOILS ON THEIR TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE REGIMES

The reduced heat capacity and increased thermal diffusivity of drained peat soils following introduction of sand, especially when the sand-b lanket method is used, cause major changes in the temperature and mois ture regimes of those soils. Moisture and temperature changes are obse rved in all horizons of the profile to a depth of 1 m, that is, to the water table. At the same time, the reserves of productive moisture ar e higher in the plow layer of such soils in years with variable moistu re, so that crop yields are greater.