Productivity potential of the farmlands in Lom municipality

The study aimed at establishing the suitability of the existing soil units for the major agricultural crops in Lom municipality under rain-fed conditions, as well as the changes of their productive potential under irrigation conditions. The potential productivity of the lands in the region is assessed based on the existing soil-cartographic units (100 soil differences). The land evaluation of the agroecological conditions is accomplished on the basis of the method for relative evaluation of the farming lands adopted in Bulgaria. The productivity per unit field assessment rate or the price of this rate is the potential yield per productivity potential unit, measured using the field assessment rating. It is established on the basis of the dominating level of the agricultural crops production technologies. The realization of the productive capacity of the soils requires application of appropriate technologies. The suitability of the ecological conditions for the growth of 14 major agricultural crops is determined on the basis of the land evaluation. The field assessment ratings under rain-fed and irrigation conditions are calculated. It has been established that Calcic Chernozems, which are most suitable for vineyards, wheat, apples, pears, alfalfa, and maize under rain-fed conditions, are the dominant soil unit in the municipality area - about 67%. The Haplic Chernozems, which cover 14% of the municipality area have high productivity potential and are quite suitable for growth of vineyards, wheat, fruit trees, maize, and oil crops - mostly sunflower. Under irrigation conditions the potential for significant increase of the yields of maize, soybean, sugar beets and Lucerne is revealed. Eutric Fluvisols are represented at 19% of the area in the region and they are most suitable for growing cereals, fruits and grapes. Under irrigation conditions, the variety of crops is larger, and the yields increase significantly. The comparative analysis of the data on the potential yield per unit area of particular soil unit with respect to the agro-soil groups and subgroups showed that an effective production of a variety of agricultural crops could be accomplished in the municipality if the soil fertility is taken into consideration and the resources and technologies for its rational usage are provided.