Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

Structural and aggregate composition of typical chernozem under intercropping and biologically based fertilisation systems

Oksana Tonkha, Olena Pikovska*, Andrii Grechanyk

pikovska@nubip.edu.ua

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Abstract

The relevance of this study arises from the urgent need to address the alarming extent of agrophysical soil degradation in Ukraine and to meet the requirements of the European Green Deal by shifting from conventional intensive technologies to environmentally sound practices. These include intercropping and the application of organic fertilisers to achieve land degradation neutrality. The study aimed to investigate the effects of different fertilisation systems on the structural and aggregate composition of typical medium-loam chernozem under spring barley, pea, and a three-component barley-pea-faba bean intercrop. The study employed field methods, laboratory dry sieving of soil samples to determine their structural and aggregate composition, and analytical and statistical methods. The three-component barley-pea-faba bean intercrop produced the most favourable structural condition of typical chernozem among the three cropping treatments under all fertilisation systems. In the 0-30 cm soil layer, the proportion of agronomically valuable aggregates measuring 0.25-10 mm was 10.76% higher under intercropping than under barley and 5.06% higher than under pea. Soil structure under pea was more favourable than under barley monoculture. Among the fertilisation systems, the highest structure coefficient was recorded following compost application at a rate equivalent to N50, followed by vermicompost. Lower values were obtained with the combined application of compost, vermicompost, and mineral nitrogen, while mineral fertilisation with N50 had the least favourable effect on soil structure. The practical significance of the study lies in demonstrating that organic fertilisers, particularly compost and vermicompost, should be applied to preserve and restore soil structure, whereas the exclusive use of mineral nitrogen fertilisation adversely affects the structural and aggregate composition of the soil

Keywords

soil structure; agronomically valuable aggregates; soil health; pea; faba bean; barley

Suggested citation
Tonkha, O., Pikovska, O., & Grechanyk, A. (2026). Structural and aggregate composition of typical chernozem under intercropping and biologically based fertilisation systems. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(4),141-155. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/4.2026.141
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