CHANGES IN HYDRAULIC-PROPERTIES OF SUBPLOW HORIZONS AND IN SOIL AERATION-MOISTURE REGIME OF LOAMY SOD-PODZOLIC SOILS DUE TO DEEP LOOSENING

The impact of meliorative tillage on hydrophysical properties of loamy sod-podzolic soils and on the water supply for crops has been conside red. Changes in soil surface pattern and water-retention capacity alon gside with those of pore space cause a drastic decrease of wilting-poi nt value, which is determined by the alteration of structure of pore s pace (by 48.3 percent) and of the solid phase (by 51.7 percent). Melio rative tillage avoiding arable and subarable horizons mixing is shown to increase the water supply of crops due to productive moisture stora ge, better aeration of subarable horizons and to contribute to earlier soil ripening.