The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Ukraine (S.A. Balyuk and E.N. Drozd). According to the State Land Registry (Cadaster) 
of  Ukraine, land resources of  the country have a total area of  60.3 million ha, of  which 41.6 
million ha (69% of  the total area of  Ukraine) are under agricultural use, of  which 32.5 million ha 
(53.9%) are arable lands. Ukraine has a great agricultural potential due to the existence of  large 
areas of  naturally fertile Chernozem-type soils (about 27 million ha or 65% of  the total area of  

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Soil salinity manаgement manual | Part II.Tutorial examples, guidelines and exercises 
agricultural lands). However, 75% of  the total area of  Ukraine is characterized by totally or partially 
unfavourable moisture conditions, which hinders the efficiency of  the agricultural industry.
Salt-affected soils of  Ukraine are found in sub-boreal, forest-steppe and steppe zones. These soils 
can be conventionally subdivided into two kinds, one with natural (primary) salinity and the other 
with secondary salinity. According to the Ukrainian soil classification, salt-affected soils belong to 
the following taxa: Saline and Alkaline Chernozems (mostly on loesses), Meadow Chernozems, 
Meadow Chestnut soils, Meadow soils, Alluvial soils, Dark and Alkaline Chestnut soils, Solonchakous 
Solonetz (saline-sodic soils) and Solonchaks.
Data on the total areas of  the above-listed salt-affected soils can be found in the State Land Registry. 
Solonetz (alkaline) soils are included within the area of  salt-affected soils in the Land Registry, but 
require separate consideration in land management and amelioration planning. Most salt-affected 
soils in Ukraine are ploughed, with the exception of  highly saline varieties and Solonchaks [15, 
18].