# Assessment and Spatial Modelling of Agrochernozem Properties for Reclamation Measurements
###### Abstract  
Traditional land-use systems can be modified under the conditions of climate change. Higher air temperatures and loss of productive soil moisture lead to reduced crop yields. Irrigation is a possible solution to these problems. However, intense irrigation may have contributed to land degradation. This research assessed the ameliorative potential of soil and produced large-scale digital maps of soil properties for arable plot planning for the construction and operation of irrigation systems. Our research was carried out in the southern forest-steppe zone (Southern Ural, Russia). The soil cover of the site is represented by agrochernozem soils (Luvic Chernozem). We examined the morphological, physicochemical and agrochemical properties of the soil, as well as its heavy metal contents. The random forest (RF) non-linear approach was used to estimate the spatial distribution of the properties and produce maps. We found that soils were characterized by high organic carbon content (SOC) and neutral acidity and were well supplied with nitrogen and potassium concentrations. The agrochernozem was characterized by favorable water-physical properties and showed good values for water infiltration and moisture categories. The contents of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, cobalt, zinc and copper) did not exceed permissible levels. The soil quality rating interpretation confirms that these soils have high potential fertility and are convenient for irrigation activities. The spatial distribution of soil properties according to the generated maps were not homogeneous. The results showed that remote sensing covariates were the most critical variables in explaining soil properties variability. Our findings may be useful for developing reclamation strategies for similar soils that can restore soil health and improve crop productivity. agricultural land; reclamation potential; basic soil features; soil organic carbon; soil quality rating Article Assessment and Spatial Modelling of Agrochernozem Properties for Reclamation Measurements  
[PERSON]; [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON]; [PERSON] [PERSON] Assessment and Spatial Modelling of Agrochernozem Properties for Reclamation Measurements  
20233135249. [[https://doi.org/10.3390/appl3095249](https://doi.org/10.3390/appl3095249)]([https://doi.org/10.3390/appl3095249](https://doi.org/10.3390/appl3095249))  
31 March 202319 April 202322 April 202322 April 202322 April 202322 April 2023222 April 20232  
As the climate warms, the frequency, duration and intensity of droughs are expected to increase. Such conditions will significantly limit crop production options and reduce crop yields [6; 7]. For example, rice yields in China [8] and Korea [9], cotton and sorghum in South Africa [10] and olives in Portugal [11] are threatened. This raises the need for climate-smart agriculture [12]. Irrigation is one such effective method [13]. Soil irrigation is essential for ensuring the healthy growth of crops and plants. Irrigation helps to supply water to the root zone of plants, which is critical for their survival and growth. Moreover, complementary irrigation is critical to ensuring crop yields and agricultural quality in many regions of the Earth [14; 15]. Under these conditions, irrigation is ranked first among other aspects of soil formation, as its intensification leads to changes in the physical [16], water [17], physicochemical [18; 19], chemical [20; 21] and biological [22; 23] soil regimes. Thus, irrigation is an influential factor in transforming and transferring matter and energy in a soil profile. The main requirements for reclamation and irrigation measures are assessing soil conditions and creating large-scale up-to-date maps. The latter requirement is necessary to study and understand the spatial distribution of soil nutrients. The use of machine learning techniques in digital soil mapping is now being actively implemented [24].