RATE OF BIOCHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC-MATTER IN DRAINED PEATY SOILS AT DIFFERENT SANDING MODES

The rate of biochemical decomposition of organic matter in drained pea ty soils has been studied for the common, mixed, and cover farming sys tems with a concurrent analysis of hydrothermic conditions. The maximu m depletion of peat was observed in the plow horizon for the black sys tem and in the plow and subplow horizons for the mixed system. For the cover system, two maximums were found for the biochemical decompositi on of organic matter (in the plow horizon and in the zone of the open capillary fringe). Sanding and cover culture enhance the biochemical d epletion of peat. Protection against the degradation is associated wit h control of the ground water table.