FEATURES OF CONDITIONS AND THE PROSPECTS FOR THE PRECISION FARMING METHODS APPLICATION ON IRRIGATED LANDS OF THE SARATOV TRANS-VOLGA REGION

Authors:Medvedev Nicolay V., Korsak Viktor V., Pronko Nina A., Pankova Tatyana A.

631.67
Theme: Land reclamation, water manadgement and agrophysics
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Purpose: to systematize the specific features of the natural conditions of the Saratov Trans-Volga region, to substantiate the necessity of applying precision farming methods on irrigated lands, and to describe their role in the development of the agro-industrial complex.

Discussion. The natural, climatic, and soil-reclamation conditions for growing irrigated crops in the Saratov Trans-Volga region are described, which determine the need for a transition to precision farming methods on irrigated lands, which is the most rational approach to managing agricultural landscapes. The analysis of the main factors (soil types, water-physical features, humus content) determining the fertility of irrigated soils is conducted. The causes of the current reclamation state, including a rise in the groundwater level, secondary salinization, and dehumification are analyzed. The variability of soil fertility including the humus content differentiation (potential fertility) and essential nutrients (effective fertility) in irrigated areas is thoroughly studied, and the factors that shape it are examined.

Conclusions. The prospects for applying precision farming methods, including GIS technologies, information and advisory systems, mathematical modeling of land reclamation processes, and differentiated resource application, are substantiated. The creation of digital twins of irrigated fields is the most modern and comprehensive solution for achieving the goals of effective management of reclaimed lands. The advantages of precision farming technologies for the Saratov Trans-Volga region include resource conservation, degradation prevention, and increased efficiency of irrigated land use. The further development of irrigated agriculture in the region should be based on the principles of digitalization and differentiated agricultural resource management, which will ensure environmental safety, high yields, and increase the profitability of agricultural production in a changing climate.

doi: 10.31774/2712-9357-2026-16-3-220-241

Keywords

irrigated agriculture, precision farming, soil types, particle size distribution, reclamation status, soil fertility variability, humus, nutrients, secondary salinization, GIS technologies, mathematical modeling, information advisory systems, digital twins

For quoting

Medvedev N. V., Korsak V. V., Pronko N. A., Pankova T. A. Features of conditions and the prospects for the precision farming methods application on irrigated lands of the Saratov Trans-Volga region. Land Reclamation and Hydraulic Engineering. 2026;16(3):220–241. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31774/2712-9357-2026-16-3-220-241.

Authors

N. V. Medvedev – Postgraduate Student of the Department of Hydraulic Reclamation, Nature Management and Construction in Agro-Industrial Complex, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov (410012, Saratov, Pyotr Stolypin ave., build. 4, str. 3), kalek15864@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-4852-2452;

V. V. Korsak – Professor of the Department of Hydraulic Reclamation, Nature Management and Construction in Agro-Industrial Complex, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov (410012, Saratov, Pyotr Stolypin ave., build. 4, str. 3), vvcorsac@rambler.ru, AuthorID: 352371, ORCID: 0000-0001-6285-7649;

N. A. Pronko – Professor of the Department of Hydraulic Reclamation, Nature Management and Construction in Agro-Industrial Complex, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov (410012, Saratov, Pyotr Stolypin ave., build. 4, str. 3), n_pronko@mail.ru, AuthorID: 415593, ORCID: 0000-0003-2814-2011;

T. A. Pankova – Associate Professor of the Department of Hydraulic Reclamation, Nature Management and Construction in Agro-Industrial Complex, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N. I. Vavilov (410012, Saratov, Pyotr Stolypin ave., build. 4, str. 3), vtanja@mail.ru, ORCID: 0000-0002-4619-765X.

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