Long Fallow

Long Fallow 

arable land that has not been cultivated for an extended period. Short-term (8–15 years) fallow of this type is called perelog in the steppe regions, whereas in the forest-steppe areas the term zalog is used. In the first two to three years the arable land becomes overgrown with annual and biennial plants (weedy fallow). In the next five to seven years rhizomatous plants dominate and, as the soil becomes more compact, are supplanted by loosely bunched and, later, densely bunched grasses. Then the vegetation typical for natural meadow or steppe conditions develops. Organic matter accumulates on the long fallow land, sod forms, and the soil become more compact and composed. Part of the arable land in sparsely populated steppe regions was regularly left in long fallow where the long fallow system was followed. This restored soil fertility and helped combat weeds. Incorporation of long fallow lands in the steppe regions of the USSR made it possible to increase grain production significantly. Cultivation of long fallow involves deep plowing with a plow and foreplow in the spring or early summer and subsequent cultivation with disc implements.