SCIENTIFIC BASES AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR THE APPLICATION OF ORGANOMINERAL AMELIORANTS IN IRRIGATED SOILS OF SURKHANDARYA REGION

Abstract

The article considers the scientific basis for applying organomineral ameliorants made from local raw materials (bentonite, phosphorite flour, humic substances) to increase the yield and quality of vegetable crops (tomato, cucumber) on irrigated soils of the Surkhandarya region. Vegetable growing is a profitable and export-oriented sector in Uzbekistan, crucial for food security. However, the hot climate of Surkhandarya leads to rapid moisture loss and increased irrigation costs, while long-term intensive cultivation and one-sided mineral fertilization degrade soil structure and reduce organic matter and nutrient availability. Therefore, developing ameliorants that improve soil water retention and sorption properties, keeping nutrients longer in the root zone, is a pressing scientific and practical task. The physicochemical mechanisms of action of the ameliorant components are analysed, a working hypothesis is formulated, and the methodology of a four-variant field experiment is described. The study aims to determine optimal application rates of organomineral ameliorants to enhance vegetable crop yields and ensure product ecological safety under Surkhandarya's irrigated soil conditions. Expected outcomes include increased soil moisture reserves, reduced irrigation water consumption, prolonged nutrient retention in the root zone, decreased nitrate accumulation, and improved yield and product quality. Experimental results will be presented in subsequent publications.