Difference between peat and black soil.

Of the two plots of land, one is on humus-rich soil and the other is on peat bog. Which one is preferable to choose for a summer residence? Anyone who has at least some experience of work on the ground will not hesitate to answer - naturally, the first one! It is useful for a beginner gardener to find out how peat differs from black soil - at least in order to correctly compose a soil mixture for seedlings.

Note: the presence of a peat layer does not frighten a competent gardener, but, on the contrary, pleases. Stable yields are guaranteed to the owner - of course, with proper agricultural technology and the correct selection of crops.

"Rust of the earth" and "combustible earth"

"Noble rust of the Earth" - shortly and aptly named the soil founder of soil science V. V. Dokuchaev. The main component, without which soil formation is impossible, is vegetation, which is born and dying year after year. Invertebrates and bacteria, feeding on organic residues, decompose them to the state of humic acids. The soil, rich in humus, is colored black, therefore it is called black soil (aka humus).

Peat is a valuable source of energy. Pliny the Elder in the 1st century AD NS. mentioned it under the name "combustible earth". Like soil, peat is also formed from plant debris. But not on a hard surface, but in the depths of bogs, with an excess of moisture and a lack of oxygen.

In cool climates, marsh vegetation, dying off, does not have time to decompose completely. Gradually, under the pressure of more and more layers of sod, the layers are compressed and go deeper. They can remain there for many millennia, almost without undergoing changes.

Thus, the difference between peat and chernozem lies in their very definition: the first is a combustible mineral, the second is soil.

Appearance

In the form of an embankment, both substrates are often similar. It is easier to feel what is in front of you - light and resilient peat is difficult to confuse with weighty, sticky black soil.

Chernozems have a characteristic soil profile: dark on the surface, downward, the soil gradually brightens and smoothly passes into the parent rock. The most abundant chernozems are two meters high, they are rare and are of state value; their average thickness is 30-50 cm.

On the territory of Western Siberia there are 36 types of peat, which vary greatly in color (from yellow to black), structure and thickness. The most common is high moor peat of bog origin. Its layer in the section consists of a large number of thin-fibrous identical layers, their total thickness can reach tens of meters. Wood peat is homogeneous and plastic, while low-lying, highly decomposed peat is black and lumpy.

Exposed peat deposit on the left (layered structure is visible) and chernozem profile on the right

Physical properties and composition

Peat combustible, dry prone to internal heating and self-ignition (leading to peat fires). It is a valuable energy source - in a number of regions, boilers and power plants operate on it.

When peat is burned, only a little ash (5-10%) remains from it, since it consists mainly of organic matter. If the course of natural metamorphoses continued, then today's peat layers would eventually turn into brown coal, and then into anthracite.

Chernozem, like any soil, consists mainly of minerals. After annealing at a high temperature, all the humus burns out, and about 90% of the original volume remains. The residue has a reddish color and a powdery structure, and when moistened it acquires all the properties of clay. Thus, the basis of chernozem is clay or heavy loam enriched with humus.

Comparison from the point of view of an agronomist

At a summer cottage, both peat and black soil are useful. In the opinion of the gardener, the main thing that is the difference between peat and black soil is the way they are used: black soil is used as it is, and peat needs preliminary preparation. Freshly mined peat is aged from one to three years in the open air in order to reduce its acidity.

Even prepared peat is not used in its pure form. It is a valuable component of potting soil and composts. Peat is added to the soil in order to optimize the mechanical composition and structure of the soil: it makes heavy loams and clays looser, permeable to roots, on sandy soils it improves moisture accumulation and increases overall fertility. With the help of peat, they regulate the acidity of the substrate - it is especially useful on leached, calcareous soils.

In the photo: 1 - peat, 2 - black soil

Peat and black soil are mixed in different proportions - usually when growing indoor flowers, seedlings or for the needs of a greenhouse farms. Peat fibers are easy to press - they are used to make convenient and environmentally friendly containers (in the form of cups or cubes) for seedlings - when they get into the soil, such a container eventually becomes part of it.

Table

Peat Chernozem
Definition
Combustible mineralsSoil
Origin
Incomplete decomposition of plant residues in a humid environment with oxygen deficiencyComplete (to humic acids) decomposition of organic (both plant and animal origin) substances in the upper soil layer, with the participation of invertebrates and protozoa
Appearance
An undisturbed deposit consists of many thin equal layers. In loose form, it can resemble black soil, but it has a fine-fibered structure and is lighter in specific gravity. The color is usually yellow-brown, rarely black.

Water-saturated peat is like a sponge

The soil profile of unplowed chernozem has a characteristic color - very dark in the upper layers, it gradually lightens downward.

When mixed with water, it becomes sticky because it contains clay particles

Properties
Flammable and prone to spontaneous combustion. Burns out almost completely.

Has an acidic (lowland) or slightly acidic (upper) pH-reaction

Non-flammable, on the contrary - they can extinguish the flame, like any soil.

Typical chernozems are pH neutral

Application
- as fuel.

In agriculture and private farming - as a component of soil mixtures and composts, organic fertilizer. As a hygroscopic bedding for animals.

In construction - as a heat insulator.

As a natural filter for water purification... and in many other areas

A versatile, very fertile substrate for growing crops (open, closed ground, container and others). Especially significant for agriculture
.