AUTHOR=Nizamutdinov Timur , Suleymanov Azamat , Morgun Evgeniya , Yakkonen Kirill , Abakumov Evgeny 

TITLE=Soils and olericultural practices in circumpolar region of Russia at present and in the past

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1032058

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2022.1032058

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=Circumpolar regions are often associated with such activities as reindeer herding, hunting, fishing, and gathering wild foods, but few know that locals have practiced оlericulture since ancient times. Under a changing climate, the agricultural frontier will inevitably shift northward, so it is important to understand the current and past patterns of local soil functioning. Olericultural practices in the Arctic region seems difficult due to the harsh climate, however it is being implemented. In this paper we report on the agricultural practices used by local residents to increase the yield of crops grown in the Yamal region. We also studied the chemical properties and fertility of soils under private gardens (both active and abandoned). At present, the yields of private olericulture in Yamal even exceed those of industrial vegetable growing farms. Revealed that private vegetable growers can achieve an increase in soil fertility: increasing the content of nutrients (P2O5 over 1500 mg kg-1, K2O up to 500 mg kg-1) and organic carbon up to 17%, as well as the regulation of the acid-alkaline regime. Founded that soil fertility indicators in private vegetable gardens are higher compared to industrial fields. Such soils are not typical for the cryolithozone and can be classified as Anthrosols. Soils of abandoned vegetable gardens can retain a high level of fertility for a long time due to the specific climatic conditions of the Arctic. As result of research was showed that it is possible to grow vegetables beyond the Arctic Circle by adapting local soils and applying specific practices typical for cryolithozone.