Comparative agrochemical assessment of cultivated soils in East Kazakhstan: Implications for site-specific fertility management

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 4, 336 - 344, 01.10.2025

Gulnara Tastanbekova Zhenisbek Abdraimov Kalamkas Kulanbay Abdugani Azimov Marat Atеmov Zhanibek Akbar Bakhytzhan Shayanbekova Adylkhan Balmakhanov

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1750269

Abstract

Soil degradation driven by climate variability and unsustainable land use represents a growing challenge for agriculture in semi-arid and continental regions. This study presents a comparative agrochemical assessment of cultivated soils from two peasant farms—«Druzhba» (Ulansky District) and «Tamerlan & K» (Glubokovsky District)—in the East Kazakhstan Region. The objective was to evaluate site-specific fertility characteristics under contrasting climatic and landscape conditions and to provide practical recommendations for sustainable nutrient management. Composite soil samples were collected from three depth intervals (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) and analyzed for humus content, nitrate nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium, sulfur, and pH using standardized GOST methodologies. The results revealed moderate fertility status in both farms, with humus levels ranging from 2.21% to 3.79%. Available nitrogen levels were relatively balanced; however, phosphorus availability was notably deficient in portions of the Tamerlan & K farm, posing potential constraints for phosphorus-demanding crops. Potassium and sulfur concentrations were generally adequate, while soil pH ranged from 7.00 to 7.47—slightly alkaline but within an acceptable range for most crops. Based on the agrochemical profiles and average nutrient uptake values, crop-specific fertilization strategies were developed. High-demand crops such as maize, sunflower, potato, and sugar beet require full NPK fertilization, while cereals like wheat and barley may be managed using NP fertilizers, supplemented with potassium every two to three years. The adoption of fertigation systems and the use of liquid organomineral fertilizers are recommended to enhance nutrient use efficiency and buffer heat and drought stress conditions. Furthermore, pH adjustment and organic matter restoration are critical to improve micronutrient availability and sustain long-term soil health. Overall, the study underscores the importance of adaptive, data-driven nutrient management approaches tailored to the agroecological diversity and evolving climate realities of East Kazakhstan.

Keywords

Agrochemical properties , Soil fertility , Nutrient management , Organomineral fertilizers , East Kazakhstan , Climate-resilient agriculture

References

• Abdullaev, K., Irmulatov, B., Komarov, А., Nugis, E., 2020. Precision agriculture in the North of Kazakhstan. Journal of Agricultural Science 31(2): 115-121.
• Abitova, B., Maxotova, A., Yeleuova, E., Tastanbekova, G., Bayadilova, G., Ibadullayeva, S., Zhussupova, L., Kenzhaliyeva, B., 2025. Effect of foliar-applied humic acid-based fertilizers on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield, tuber quality, and nutrient uptake efficiency, with implications for sustainable fertilization. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14(2): 189-197.
• Al-Shammary, A.A.G., Al-Shihmani, L.S.S., Fernández-Gálvez, J., Caballero-Calvo, A., 2024. Optimizing sustainable agriculture: A comprehensive review of agronomic practices and their impacts on soil attributes. Journal of Environmental Management 364: 121487.
• Anarbayev, Y., Pentaev, T., Rakhimzhanova, G., 2024. Economic efficiency of using internal land management on the basis of agroindustrial enterprises. Regional Science Policy & Practice 16(3): 12674.
• Bodner, G., Nakhforoosh, A., Kaul, H.P., 2015. Management of crop water under drought: a review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 35: 401–442.
• Budanov, N., Aitbayev, Т., Buribayeva, L., Zhylkibayev, A., Yertayeva, Z., 2023. Impact of different organic fertilizers on soil available nutrient contents, potato yield, tuber nitrate contents. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 12(3): 215-221.
• Futa, B., Gmitrowicz-Iwan, J., Skersienė, A., Šlepetienė, A., Parašotas, I., 2024. Innovative soil management strategies for sustainable agriculture. Sustainability 16(21): 9481.
• GOST 26205-91. Soils. Determination of mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium by Machigin method modified by CINAO. Available at [Access date: 27.12.2024]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-55169-gost-26205-91.aspx
• GOST 26213-91. Soils. Methods for determination of organic matter. Available at [Access date: 27.12.2024]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-52750-gost-26213-91.aspx
• GOST 26483-85. Soils. Preparations of salt extract and determination of its pH by CINAO method. Available at [Access date: 27.12.2024]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-50090-gost-26483-85.aspx
• GOST 26488-85. Soils. Determination of nitrates by CINAO methods. Available at [Access date: 27.12.2024]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-50388-gost-26488-85.aspx
• GOST 26490-85. Soils. Determination of mobile sulphur by CINAO method. Available at [Access date: 27.12.2024]: https://www.russiangost.com/p-49518-gost-26490-85.aspx
• İslamzade, T., Baxishov, D., Guliyev, A., Kızılkaya, R., İslamzade, R., Ay, A., Huseynova, S., Mammadova, M., 2024. Soil fertility status, productivity challenges, and solutions in rice farming landscapes of Azerbaijan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(1): 70 - 78.
• Kalimov, N., Bodryy, K., Shilo, E., Kaldybaev, D., Bodraya, M., 2024. Impact of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic matter content in Northern Kazakhstan's chernozem soils: A 10-year study (2011-2021). Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(1): 35 - 42.
• Kaliyeva, S., Suleimenov , B., Rvaidarova, G., Konysbekov, K., Muminova, S., Raimbekova, B., 2024. Effect of fertilizer treatments on sugar beet cultivars: A comprehensive study on crop yield and nutrient contents of soil and plant in chestnut soil of Kazakhstan.. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(3): 247-253.
• Massaliyev, N., Ramazanova, S., Karayeva, K., Oshakbayeva, Z., Zhamangarayeva, A., Smanov, A., Aubakirov, N., Duisekov, S., 2024. Effect of phosphorus fertilization on yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in light chestnut soils of southeastern Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 13(4): 328-337.
• Mustafayev, Z., Skorintseva, I., Toletayev, A., Kuderin, A., Omarov, A., 2024. Assessment of soil resources of agricultural landscapes in Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan based on agrochemical indexes. Open Geosciences 16(1): 20220652.
• Nielsen, U.N., Ball, B.A., 2015. Impacts of altered precipitation regimes on soil communities and biogeochemistry in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Global Change Biology 21(4): 1407-1421.
• Olowoyeye, T., Abegunrin, G., Sojka, M., 2024. Are Agroecosystem services under threat? examining the influence of climate externalities on ecosystem stability. Atmosphere 15(12): 1480.
• Reinsch, S., Robinson, D.A., van Soest, M.A.J., Keith, A.M., Parry, S., Tye, A.M., 2024. Temperate soils exposed to drought—key processes, impacts, ındicators, and unknowns. Land 13(11): 1759.
• Robb, C., 2024. The mainstreaming agenda of the convention on biological diversity and its value to protecting and enhancing soil ecosystem services. In: International yearbook of soil law and policy 2022. International yearbook of soil law and policy. Ginzky, H., Corrêa, F.D.A., Dooley, E., Heuser, I.L., Kameri-Mbote, P., Kibugi, R., Ruppel, O.C. (Eds.). vol 2022. Springer, Cham. pp. 161–224.
• Rodrigues, C.I.D., Brito, L.M., Nunes, L.J.R., 2023. Soil carbon sequestration in the context of climate change mitigation: A review. Soil Systems 7(3): 64.
• Rudinskienė, A., Marcinkevičienė, A., Velička, R., Kosteckas, R., Kriaučiūnienė, Z., Vaisvalavičius, R., 2022. The comparison of soil agrochemical and biological properties in the multi-cropping farming systems. Plants 11(6): 774.
• Telo da Gama, J., 2023. The role of soils in sustainability, climate change, and ecosystem services: Challenges and opportunities. Ecologies 4(3): 552-567.
• Upekshani, H.A.N., Dharmakeerthi, R. S., Weerasinghe, P., Dandeniya, W.S., 2023. Comparative assessment of soil chemical characteristics in two contrasting vegetable cultivation systems of Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research 34(1): 15-30.
• Yapiyev, V., Gilman, C.P., Kabdullayeva, T., Suleimenova, A., Shagadatova, A., Duisembay, A., Naizabekov, S., Mussurova, S., Sydykova, K., Raimkulov, I., Kabimoldayev, I., Abdrakhmanova, A., Omarkulova, S., Nurmukhambetov, D., Kudarova, A., Malgazhdar, D., Schönbach, C., Inglezakis, V., 2018. Top soil physical and chemical properties in Kazakhstan across a north-south gradient. Scientific Data 5: 180242.
• Yu, Z., Guo, B., Sun, T., Li, R., Zhao, Z., Yao, L., 2025. Effects of organic fertilizer substitution for mineral fertilizer on soil fertility, yield, and quality of muskmelons. Agronomy 15(3): 639.
• Zharlygassov, Z., Kalimov , N., Ansabayeva, A., Zharlygassov, Z., Moskvicheva, E., İslamzade, R., Ay, A., Akça, İ., Kızılkaya, R., 2025. Sustainable nutrient management and agricultural productivity in chernozem soils of the Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 14(1): 98 - 106.