Figure 4 – Dynamics of mineral fertilizers for crop production in Ukraine
Source: Made by the author according to data [12]
In Ukraine, processes of deterioration of soil quality continue. In 1996, the total
area of eroded arable land reached 10598,6 thousand hectares, compared to 7991,4
thousand hectares in 1961, i.e. increased by 2607,2 thousand hectares, an average of
about 76,7 thousand hectares per year.
In 1996, from the total area of eroded lands, 7879.7 thousand hectares or 74.4%
were low-eroded lands, 2241.4 thousand hectares, or 21.1%, medium-grazed and 477.5
thousand hectares, or 4.5%, strong-grazed. Against 1961, in 1996, the area of eroded
arable land increased by 32.6%, of which it was slightly eroded by 28.9%, medium-
sized by 41.8%, and highly eroded by 61.0%. There is not only the growth of eroded
arable land, but the high rate of growth of strong eroded arable land. According to
various estimates, annually, from 11 to 24 million tons of humus, more than 0.5-1
million tons of nitrogen, 0.4-0.7 million tons of phosphorus, 0.7 million tons of
potassium, losses of which are compensated are lost from erosion by making fertilizers
only 20-25%. The losses of agricultural products from erosion exceed 9-12 million tons
of grain units annually.
Along with flat erosion, processes of linear erosion and formation of fossils are
developing quite intensively. The area of ravines is 140,8 thousand hectares, and their
number reaches more than 500 thousand. Individual spring-beam systems have an
intensity of erosion, which exceeds the average figures 10-20 times.
140
141
13
32
58
68
72
79
82
79
90,0
83,5
21,5
44,9
70,0
76,0
78
81
82
81
0,0
20,0
40,0
60,0
80,0
100,0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
1985
1990
2000
2005
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
%
kg
pe
r
1 he
ctar
e
Introduction of mineral fertilizers kg per 1 hectare
Specific weight of fertilized areas by organic fertilizers under crops, %
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