FROM THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOIL PHYSICS
The first studies in the field of soil physics, physical chemistry and biophysics at the Agrophysical Research Institute were begun in 1934, when the sectors of soil biophysics and soil physics were created as parts of its structure. Read more
MAIN DIRECTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES:
- Instrumental studies of carbon and nitrogen cycles as fundamental, interrelated processes in the global biogeochemical turnover of substances in the ecosystems: Read more
- Studies of the conditions of sustainability and recovery of the fundamental functions of energy and moisture exchange in the system of surface boundary air layer - underlying surface - genetic profile of the soil: Read more
USING MODELS:
- DNDC model (Li et al., 2000) is being used for prediction of carbon and nitrogen cycles in the system of surface boundary air layer - underlying surface – soil.
- HYDRUS 3D model (Simunek et al., 2007) is being used for calculating heat and moisture transport in soils.
- TSEB model (Anderson et al., 2008; Norman et al., 1995; Kustas, Norman, 2000) and AQUACROP model (Steduto P., 2007; Raes D. et al., 2009) are being used for calculating the dynamics of latent and apparent heat fluxes from soils, evaporation of water from soils, transpiration of plants and the assessment of the resistance of the above-mentioned parameters to the impacts of meteorological factors;
- PSF models (Ding et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2005) are being used for estimating soil water percolation by physical methods for determining the fractal dimension of a capillary-porous medium under conditions of unsteady soil water filtration.
DEPARTMENT INCLUDES THE LABORATORIES:
EQUIPMENT:
The following equipment is available for measuring physical, physico-chemical, hydrophysical, and microbiological parameters of soils in field and laboratory conditions: Read more
The scientists of our department have a profound professional background gained in the result of long-term research work at the Agrophysical Research Institute, joint projects with Russian colleagues from other research institutes, inter-institutional projects and individual research grants to collaborate with colleagues from research institutions in the UK, Hungary, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland, USA, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Japan.
- INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC RELATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT:
- Alterra, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, UK
- Rothamsted, Harpenden, UK
- Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Budapest, Hungary
- University of New Hampshire, USA
- Institute of Hydrology, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
- Institute of Agrophysics, Lublin, Poland
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences, Falenty, Poland
- Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland