EJSSEurasian Journal of Soil ScienceEurasian J Soil Sci2147 - 4249Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societieshttp://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.181429810.18393/ejss.1814298Localized hydrogel co-application improves water use efficiency and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield in arid agroecosystems: A resource-optimized strategyNurlibai Manabaev Shamshaddin Yussupov Abdugani Azimov Azimov-78@mail.ruZaure Ibragimova Altynbek Userov Bekzat Kultassov Rustam Manabaev Zhanat Suleimenova 1511-132025-04-142025-10-212025-10-312026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Central Asia, face escalating food security challenges due to climate change and chronic drought, demanding innovative soil moisture management strategies for staple crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This study introduces and validates an innovative agro-technological system that moves beyond conventional, high-consumption superabsorbent polymer (hydrogel) use to establish a highly resource-efficient and sustainable approach for dryland wheat cultivation. A split-plot field experiment was conducted across three distinct agroclimatic zones in the Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan (Kazygurt, Sairam, and the extremely arid Arys district). Eight treatments were evaluated, focusing on varying hydrogel dosages and localized co-application with reduced phosphorus and potassium (P/K) fertilizers. A novel patented slit-cutting unit was employed for the precise subsurface placement of the hydrogel–fertilizer mixture at a depth of 20 cm. Complementary laboratory experiments provided the mechanistic foundation, evaluating water absorption, retention, and vertical redistribution in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. The hydrogel mixture increased total soil water retention by 14.3 %, while enhancing subsoil (20–40 cm) moisture content by 9.0 percentage points, confirming its function as an in-situ water reservoir. Field results identified Treatment 5 (Localized 30 kg ha⁻¹ hydrogel + 50 % P/K) as the optimal configuration, producing stable and significant wheat yield increases of 23.32–27.05 % across all sites compared with the control. Importantly, this precision-based method achieved 50 % fertilizer savings and 57 % reduction in hydrogel use compared to conventional broadcast application, achieving both economic efficiency and ecological sustainability. Overall, the localized subsurface co-application system establishes a new benchmark for dryland agriculture, offering a climate-resilient, input-efficient, and scalable technological platform for enhancing water use efficiency and sustaining food production under water-limited conditions.Hydrogel, dryland farming, localized application, water use efficiency, wheat yield.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.181440810.18393/ejss.1814408Enhancing barley productivity and water conservation in arid steppes using deep slitting, hydrogel application, and an innovative Combined Seeding Unit (CSU)Nurlibai Manabaev Shamshaddin Yussupov Abdugani Azimov Azimov-78@mail.ruZaure Ibragimova Gani Iztleuov Bekzat Kultassov Rustam Manabaev Elmira Yeleuova 15114-232025-04-112025-10-242025-10-312026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Global food security is increasingly threatened by escalating water scarcity and progressive soil degradation, particularly subsoil compaction resulting from repeated heavy machinery traffic. In many arid and semi-arid regions, bulk soil density may reach 1.68 g cm⁻³ in the 40–60 cm layer of heavy clay–loam soils, severely restricting water infiltration, gaseous exchange, and nutrient transport, ultimately causing substantial yield losses. This study investigated the synergistic effects of deep slitting (subsoiling) and superabsorbent hydrogel polymer (SAP) application on soil moisture dynamics and the productivity of Baisheshek barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under the arid steppe conditions of the Turkestan Region, Kazakhstan. A field experiment with four replications and seven treatments was conducted on compacted heavy clay–loam soil. Soil sampling and agrochemical analyses were performed across three representative sites to account for spatial heterogeneity and to evaluate the robustness of the proposed technology under variable field conditions. Treatments combined two slitting depths (20 cm and 40 cm) with two hydrogel rates (30 kg ha⁻¹ and 60 kg ha⁻¹). The optimal treatment—20 cm slitting with 30 kg ha⁻¹ hydrogel (SCH-20+30)—produced the most favorable soil moisture retention and highest agronomic performance, achieving a yield of 23.2 c ha⁻¹, a 53.6% increase (8.1 c ha⁻¹ gain) over the control (15.1 c ha⁻¹). The 30 kg ha⁻¹ dose was also the most economically efficient, as doubling the rate provided no significant benefit. To enable practical implementation, a patented Combined Seeding Unit (CSU) was developed to integrate deep slitting, hydrogel application, fertilizer placement, and seeding into a single-pass operation. This innovative methodology represents a technologically advanced, water-efficient, and sustainable approach for high-yield barley and other grain cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions, offering a practical model for precision soil and water management under climate-induced water scarcity.Hydrogel, Slitting, Combined Seeding Unit, Water Conservation, Yield Enhancement.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.181952310.18393/ejss.1819523Effects of moisture conditions on winter wheat yield using the Palmer drought severity index: A case study of the Rostov region, RussiaVasiliy Gudko gudko.vasily@gmail.comSudeep Tanwar Tatiana Minkina Svetlana Sushkova Alexander Usatov Kirill Azarin Tayfun Aşkın Rıdvan Kızılkaya 15124-342025-04-082025-10-312025-11-072026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies The paper examines the effect of fluctuations in moisture conditions in different seasons on spatiotemporal changes in winter wheat yields in the Rostov region of Russia in 2010-2024. The Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) was used as a moisture indicator. In general, the yield value from the maximum values of 4.0–5.0 t/ha in the southern and western parts of the region decreases with removal to the northern and eastern parts to the minimum values of 2.0–3.0 t/ha. During the study period, most of the districts were characterized by a significant trend of increasing crop yields at an average rate of 0.14 t/ha per year. There were no spatial features in increasing yields. During this time interval, periods of increasing and stagnating crop yields were observed in the region, and these dynamics correlated with fluctuations in the PDSI index. The most significant influence on the yield of winter wheat in various regions of the region was exerted by the moisture conditions in the spring season. As a factor, this indicator explained, depending on the region, from 24.8% to 69.2% of the interannual variability in the yield of this crop. The influence of moisture conditions in the autumn and winter seasons was less pronounced. The most significant decrease in yields was observed in 2013, when moderate and severe droughts were observed in most of the region during the previous autumn, winter and spring seasons. Our experience has shown that PDSI is a fairly informative and reliable indicator that can be successfully used in analyzing the impact of moisture conditions on winter wheat yields.Moisture conditions, Drought, Winter wheat yield, PDSI, Rostov region.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.181955710.18393/ejss.1819557Evaluation of biofilm biofertilizer from the western slope of Mount Lawu for enhancing Andisol soil fertility in pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) cultivationRetno Rosariastuti retnobs@staff.uns.ac.id Addina Harir Nur Azka Evi Irawan Sumani Sumani Purwanto Purwanto 15135-442025-02-262025-11-012025-11-072026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Prolonged and excessive application of chemical fertilizers risks degrading soil quality. Biofilm biofertilizers offer a potential solution, but research on their effectiveness in Andisol soils is limited. This research intends to assess the potential of biofilm biofertilizer from the western slope of Mount Lawu to improve Andisol soil fertility in pakchoi cultivation and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. The study had a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replications in an experimental setting in the greenhouse. The treatment balanced the dose of biofilm biofertilizer and chemical fertilizer. Based on the results of the study, the application of biofilm biofertilizer from the western slope of Mount Lawu both as a single fertilizer and its balance with chemical fertilizers was able to enhance the fertility of Andisol soil and pakchoi yield. Treatment 25% biofilm biofertilizer + 75% chemical fertilizer (B) gave the highest results in CEC (39.82 cmol(+) kg-1 or 87.74% higher than the control), N-Total (1.29% or 34.38% higher than the control), K-available (0.4 cmol(+) kg-1 or 42.86% higher than the control), and plant fresh weight (28.08 g or 37 times higher than the control). Treatment 100% biofilm biofertilizer (E) gave the highest results in P-Available (0.65 ppm or 116.67% higher than the control), bacterial population (6.02 Log 10 CFU g-1 or 25.94% higher than the control), and fungal population (2.8 Log 10 CFU g-1 or 42.13% higher than the control). The results can lessen the need for chemical fertilizers by 25%-100%.Biofilm biofertilizer, soil fertility, chemical fertilizer, Andisol, pakchoi, Mount Lawu.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.182155310.18393/ejss.1821553Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapesElmira Yeleuova Ashirali Smanov Sso-kz@mail.ruBakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva Liza Zhussupova Ainur Demesinova Zhanat Amirzhanova Tayfun Aşkın Rahila İslamzade Rıdvan Kızılkaya 15145-552025-05-122025-11-032025-11-112026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies This study investigated the influence of landscape position and parent material on soil physicochemical properties and biological functioning along the Çankırı–Acıçay River toposequence. Our objectives were to (i) characterize six representative soil profiles, (ii) quantify the range and spatial variation of key hydrolytic enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glucosidase), and (iii) evaluate the relationships between soil properties and enzymatic activity. The transect encompasses distinct lithologies: right-bank soils developed on Quaternary alluvial deposits (terraces/floodplains), while left-bank soils evolved from a complex mix including Oligo-Miocene gypsum and rock-salt strata (steep slopes). These differences resulted in classifications as Entisols, Inceptisols, and Mollisols, and distinct variations in particle-size distribution and organic matter (OM) accumulation across the profiles. Results showed that topography-driven erosion and deposition strongly controlled soil OM dynamics, which was the primary regulator of enzymatic activity. OM correlated with all enzymes, r = 0.81** to 0.89**. The old river terrace soils (depositional areas) exhibited the highest enzyme activities due to greater OM and finer texture, confirming their function as biological "hotspots". Conversely, upper-slope and gypsiferous soils displayed minimal enzymatic potential. In conclusion, variations in landscape position and parent material fundamentally alter both soil development and enzyme-mediated nutrient cycling within the semi-arid landscape of the Çankırı–Acıçay River basin.Soil genesis, soil landscape, enzyme activity, toposequence, organic matter.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.183346410.18393/ejss.1833464Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pasturesYılmaz Ülkü ulkudikmen@karatekin.edu.trMeriç Çakır Sabit Erşahin 15156-732025-07-062025-11-252025-12-012026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Soils in pastures vary significantly with depth due to the stronger interaction between soil and plants in the topsoil. However, research on soil resources in pastures has not yet reached a consensus on the appropriate soil depth to consider when evaluating soil quality (SQ). This study aimed to assess how SQ changes with soil depth in two distinct pasture systems. A semiarid site (Kurşunlu) and a semihumid site (Ilgaz) were selected, and representative sampling areas were designated in each. At both sites, soils at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depths were intensively sampled. The soil quality index (SQI) was calculated for 0-10, 10-20, and 0-20 cm (combining 0-10 and 10-20 cm) soil depths. The means of SQI related to depth and site were compared using one-way ANOVA. The SQI values ranged from 0.211 (± 0.002, 0-10 cm) to 0.556 (± 0.004, 10-20 cm) at Kurşunlu and from 0.230 (± 0.003, 0-10 cm) to 0.601 (± 0. 003, 10-20 cm) at Ilgaz. On both sites, the depth-related SQI means were significantly different, and in all cases, SQI was significantly higher at Ilgaz. The 0-10 cm soil depth proved more suitable than 10-20 or 0-20 cm depths for monitoring SQ. Results suggested that soil pH and bulk density were identified as potential early-warning indicators for soil degradation in the study pastures. Aggregate stability, bulk density, nutrient availability, soil depth, soil pHhttp://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.183371810.18393/ejss.1833718Integrating provocative irrigation and stage-specific floodwater depth to enhance rice productivity and water-use efficiency in the saline Aral Sea BasinAlmasbek Berdibek Bakhytzhan Shayanbekova shbakhyt_67@list.ruAkbope Aibekkyzy Parida Sultanbekova Aigul Alibekova Galiya Omarova Adylkhan Balmakhanov Gulzhan Kalmanova Bakhyt Seitmuratov 15174-8992025-05-122025-11-282025-12-022026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Rice production in the Aral Sea basin is constrained by high water demand, severe soil salinity, and heavy weed pressure. This study evaluated an integrated irrigation strategy that combines provocative pre-sowing irrigation (Stale Seedbed Technique) with stage-specific regulation of floodwater depth, as a sustainable alternative to conventional continuous deep flooding. Field experiments were conducted over three seasons (2022–2024) on saline loam soils at the Karaul-Tyube Experimental Farm (Kyzylorda region, Kazakhstan), using two locally adapted rice varieties (Syr-Sulu and Avangard) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Complementary pot experiments were used to isolate the effects of static water depths (5–25 cm) during key growth stages. Provocative irrigation (1100–1200 m³ ha⁻¹) applied before sowing induced massive germination of Echinochloa spp. (280–336 seedlings m⁻²) and Phragmites australis (45–62 seedlings m⁻²), enabling their mechanical removal and establishing nearly weed-free, herbicide-free rice stands. Simultaneously, pre-sowing leaching reduced salinity in the 0–40 cm layer from moderately–highly saline to slightly saline, with 0–10 cm dry residue decreasing four- to fivefold over the season. Stage-specific water management—shallow flooding (≈5 cm) during emergence and tillering, deeper water (≈20 cm) at panicle initiation, and moderate depths during ripening- significantly improved stand establishment, tiller number, spikelet fertility, and final grain yield. Compared with conventional continuous flooding, the optimized regime reduced seasonal irrigation input by 15–20% (≈3,500 m³ ha⁻¹) and improved specific water use by 150 m³ per 100 kg of grain, while increasing grain yield by 15.3–20.6%. Water balance analysis showed that these gains were achieved primarily by reducing non-productive percolation and eliminating drainage discharge losses. The integrated strategy provides a robust, scalable framework for water-efficient, herbicide-free rice cultivation in arid, salinity-affected regions. Rice, saline soils, provocative irrigation, floodwater depth, water-use efficiency.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.183376110.18393/ejss.1833761Effects of a microbial plant biostimulant on soil microbial activity, photosynthetic performance, and grain productivity of winter wheat under greenhouse conditionsBenedict Odinaka Okorie Katya Petkova Dimitrova katia_dimitrova@au-plovdiv.bgDobrinka Anastasova Balabanova 15190-1012025-05-092025-11-262025-12-022026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Plant biostimulants are widely recognized as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers due to their beneficial effects on soil health and plant growth. This study evaluated the effects of a microbial plant biostimulant on soil microbial activity, photosynthetic performance, and grain productivity of winter wheat grown under greenhouse conditions. Four treatments were tested: control (C), microbial plant biostimulant (MPB, 1 kg/ha), chemical fertilizer (CF, 100 kg/ha), and combined application (CF+MPB, CF dose reduced by 25%). The experiment used winter wheat variety KWS Lazuli and each treatment comprised six replications at completely randomized design. Studied parameters included soil chemical analysis, microbial metabolic activity, photosynthetic performance, and wheat grain productivity. The results showed that application of microbial plant biostimulant (MPB) did not affect soil chemical composition but increased soil dehydrogenase activity. Microbial plant biostimulant (MPB) also affected plant growth parameters and grain productivity. The combined application (CF+MPB) showed no synergistic effects and for net photosynthetic rate and grain productivity did not exceed the results obtained with the CF. However, the overall positive trend across studied parameters supports further research on the partial replacement of chemical fertilizers with microbial plant biostimulants under field conditions.Keywords: Grain productivity, microbial biostimulant, soil microbial activity, photosynthetic performance, winter wheathttp://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.183440310.18393/ejss.1834403Features of the humification process in soils of Thala Hills, Enderby land, East Antarctica: Insights from 13C-NMR spectroscopyIvan Alekseev alekseevivan95@gmail.comElena Grek 151102-1122025-06-271970-01-012025-12-022026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies In East Antarctica, ice-free areas (oases) exhibit a wide range of environmental conditions that influence soil development. Exploring the interactions between biological and abiotic factors, along with the composition and behavior of soil organic matter, offers valuable insights into how Antarctic ecosystems react to environmental stresses. This study examined the biogeochemical characteristics and molecular composition of soil organic matter in Cryosols of the Thala Hills oasis, Enderby Land, East Antarctica. The soils studied are generally shallow, with mostly coarse textures, slightly acidic to near-neutral pH levels (from 5.40 to 6.87), and very low organic carbon content in most of the samples (TOC<1%). We used 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy spectroscopy to evaluate the molecular composition of humic substances extracted from typical Leptic (Lithic) Cryosol and from an ornithogenic Cryosol. Significant peaks associated with carboxylic acids (170-190 ppm) indicated that organic matter transformation processes are influenced by vegetation cover, particularly moss-lichen communities. Humification processes were observed to be more pronounced in ornithogenic soils, as indicated by the formation of humic acids with a more developed peripheral aliphatic component (outer-chain aliphatic moieties) and higher sp²/sp³ carbon ratio. These ratios indicate a balance between aliphatic content—suggesting potential for decomposition—and aromatic structures that contribute to long-term stability. Humic acids, soil organic matter, humification, Cryosols, East Antarctica, 13C-NMR spectroscopy http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.184094610.18393/ejss.1840946Integrated organic and biostimulant strategies to improve wheat productivity under salt-affected soil conditionsLiza Zhussupova Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva bakit_gul7@mail.ruJansulu Yessenbayeva Khansulu Kuspangaliyeva Bakhytzhan Shayanbekova Galiya Omarova Ashirali Smanov Rahila İslamzade Rıdvan Kızılkaya 151113-1252025-05-022025-12-062025-12-122026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Soil salinity is a major abiotic constraint limiting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions, where excessive Na⁺ accumulation restricts nutrient uptake, disrupts photosynthesis, and suppresses biomass and grain formation. This greenhouse study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of a plant-derived liquid organic fertilizer (SOLF; 40% organic matter) applied at four doses and six foliar biostimulant treatments—plant-derived amino acids (P-AA), animal-derived amino acids (A-AA), seaweed extract (SW), and their combinations—on wheat grown in salt-affected soil. A 4 × 6 factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (96 pots) revealed that both SOLF and foliar treatments significantly improved plant height, tiller production, leaf chlorophyll (SPAD), leaf area, key yield components, and grain yield (p < 0.05). The highest yield was obtained with the integrated D₃F₅ treatment (high SOLF × A-AA + SW), which produced 26.8 g pot⁻¹ (≈ 5.42 t ha⁻¹), representing a 58.7% increase compared with the untreated control. SOLF application substantially improved post-harvest soil properties by increasing soil organic matter (0.82% → 1.32%) and reducing electrical conductivity (5.2 → 3.8 dS m⁻¹), while foliar applications enhanced physiological performance and nutrient assimilation. Combined treatments produced clear synergistic effects, reflected in greater N, P, and K uptake and improved canopy vigor under salinity stress. Overall, the results demonstrate that integrating soil-applied organic carbon with amino acid– and seaweed-based foliar biostimulants offers a highly effective and sustainable approach to improving wheat growth, nutrient use, and productivity in saline soils. These findings highlight the potential of integrated organic-input strategies to reduce the negative impacts of salinity and contribute to more resilient wheat production systems. Wheat, Soil salinity, Liquid organic fertilizer, Biostimulants, Amino acids, seaweed extract.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.184097510.18393/ejss.1840975GIS based assessment of cadmium and heavy metals contamination in wastewater-irrigated areas of Multan, PakistanGhulam Farid faridghouri@gmail.comTanveer ul Haq Muhammad Baqir Hussain Amar Matloob 151126-1402025-04-292025-12-082025-12-122026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal for both plants and animals. Its existence in the agroecosystem is alarming for food security due to its presence in the food chain. The objective of this study was to evaluate “Its persistence in agroecosystems poses serious risks to food safety and ecosystem health to assess Cd contamination risk in wastewater-irrigated soils of Multan, Pakistan. The concentration of Cd and other HMs (Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu) was assessed in 52 soil, plant and wastewater samples. Soil samples were taken from 0-20 cm depths and extracted by AB-DTPA for determination of Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu. The samples were collected, analyzed and digital maps for the area using GIS (Arc Map 10.3.1) were developed for soil samples. Plant samples were dried and digested in HClO4:HNO3. Soil extract, plants extract and water samples were analyzed using AAS (Analytik Jena nova P400). The concentration of Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu in soil samples ranged from 0.006-6.62, 0.62-6.23, 0.015-4.23, 0.08-4.47, and 0.09-4.94 mg kg-1 respectively. The average concentration HMs (Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu) in water samples collected from the study area were 0.011, 0.024, 0.051, 0.066 and 0.142 mg L-1 in canal water samples, 0.0040, 0.019, 0.019, 0.048 and 0.092 mg L-1 in groundwater samples and 0.127, 0.067, 0.032, 0.229 and 0.343 mg L-1 in wastewater samples collected from the area of Multan. HMs concentration in different plant species collected from the area ranged from Cd (0.06-7.27 mg kg-1), Pb (0.18-11.35 mg kg-1) Ni (0.44-12.74 mg kg-1), Zn (0.68-15.50 mg kg-1) and Cu (0.80-14.11 mg kg-1). Pollution indices (Igeo and EF) indicated that soil is contaminated with anthropogenic sources. The mean enrichment factor for the Cd was 8.22 which shows significant enrichment by the anthropogenic sources. While the EF for Pb, Ni and Zn was below the recommended criteria and it illustrated that these metals are naturally present in the soil. The Bioaccumulation factor was found in the sequence of Ni>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cd. Based on the study finding, the wastewater irrigated area of Multan was polluted with Cd and to some extent Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu. This study seeks to assist authorities and researchers in creating a plan of future studies by using GIS effectively, offering GIS-based maps for the assessment and prioritization of control and remediation solutions in the contaminated region. Heavy Metals, Soil Pollution, GIS Mapping.http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.184101810.18393/ejss.1841018Theoretical foundations for developing a digital soil twin for Southern RussiaYurii Litvinov yualitvinov@sfedu.ruAnton Mezhenkov Tanwar Sudip Svetlana Sushkova Alexey Samoylov Eduard Melnik Alexander Kozlovskiy Ekaterina Kuchmenko Tatiana Minkina Evgenyi Shuvaev Anastasia Nemtseva Rahila İslamzade 151141-1482025-05-032025-12-082025-12-122026-01-02 Copyright © 2016 The authors and Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies The sustainable management of soil resources in Southern Russia has become increasingly critical due to intensifying agricultural pressures, accelerating climate variability, and cumulative anthropogenic disturbances. Rapid advances in digital technologies now enable the integration of heterogeneous soil datasets into dynamic computational environments capable of representing physical soil systems with unprecedented precision. Within this context, the digital twin (DT) paradigm—originating from engineering sciences and now rapidly expanding into agricultural and environmental domains—offers a transformational framework for real-time soil monitoring, process simulation, scenario forecasting, and risk assessment. This study establishes the theoretical and methodological foundations necessary for developing a comprehensive soil digital twin for the Rostov region by synthesizing more than eighty years of archival soil–geographical surveys, long-term agrochemical monitoring data, multi-scale cartographic sources, remote sensing products, IoT-based soil measurements, climate records, machine-learning algorithms, geostatistical models, semantic graph structures, distributed computing frameworks, federated learning, and blockchain-enabled data governance. Particular emphasis is placed on harmonizing heterogeneous soil legends, vectorizing analog soil maps, constructing unified soil ontologies, and designing a multi-layered DT architecture grounded in contemporary digital twin theory, including mirrored physical–virtual spaces, multidimensional modeling, and state-fusion mechanisms. Machine-learning experiments demonstrate high predictive accuracy for numerous soil attributes, while geostatistical modeling enhances spatial continuity and uncertainty quantification. The integrated framework presented here provides a robust foundation for constructing an operational soil digital twin capable of supporting precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, insurance modeling, and strategic land-use planning. By enabling continuous data ingestion, multi-stakeholder interaction, and dynamic model refinement, the developed digital twin concept has significant potential to strengthen climate resilience, optimize agronomic interventions, and promote sustainable agricultural development across Southern Russia. Digital twin, soil, Rostov region, modeling, GIS, IoT, big data, artificial intelligence.