Soil morphological and physico-chemical characteristics of Zygophyllum fabago L. populations in the Ili-Balkhash Region of Kazakhstan
Mamurova A. Kairanova G. Zaparina Y. Mengtay A. Kudaibergenova A. Yedilova A. Tleuberlina O. Tustubayeva S. Kaliyev B.
16 June 2025Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna
EQA
2025#70106 - 115 pp.
The present study investigates the morphological, physical, and chemical properties of soils in natural habitats of Zygophyllum fabago L. across three ecologically distinct populations in the Ile-Balkhash region of Kazakhstan. Soil samples were collected in August–September 2024 near Topar, Bakanas, and Miyaly villages, representing desert sandy and alluvial environments. Standard field profile descriptions and laboratory analyses were conducted following national GOST and classical pedological methods. Soils in all sites were characterized as weakly humus sandy or loamy sands with alkaline pH levels (8.4–8.9) and low organic carbon content (0.24–1.08%). Granulometric composition varied from sandy (Pop. 1) to loamy sand (Pop. 2 and 3), with moisture contents ranging from 3.9% to 7.6%. Mobile nutrients were present in low to moderate quantities, with potassium being relatively higher in Pop. 3. Heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb) were within permissible limits across all sites; however, cadmium (Cd) exceeded thresholds in total forms in Populations 2 and 3. Salt analysis revealed non-saline to moderately saline conditions, with increased salinity in surface horizons of Population 3. The results provide important baseline data for understanding the ecological amplitude of Z.fabago and assessing soil-plant interactions in arid ecosystems of Central Asia.
granulometric composition , heavy metals , Kazakhstan , salinity , soil morphology , Zygophyllum fabago L
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Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty Biology and Biotechnology, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Fundamental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Educational Program “Ecology”, NARXOZ University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Laboratory “NatureLab”, Astana International University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Laboratory of Geobotany, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Geography, Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources
Department of Fundamental Medicine
Educational Program “Ecology”
Laboratory “NatureLab”
Laboratory of Geobotany
Department of Geography
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