One of the prominent representatives of the soil science of Azerbaijan Mukhtar Abduyev’s main scientific studies was mainly dedicated to research of saline soils most spread in out country. The prominent scientist carried out extensive and valuable research works on measures for timely washing of saline soils, geomorphology of land areas of saline soils, the ways of growing of fruit and grape crops in saline soils, salinization and measures to combat it in addition to studies of the soil water regime and its methods, the dynamics of soil water-salt and salinization, soil–conservation researches for the purposes of washing and use of land. The scientific articles written by Mukhtar muallim on removal of salts from saline soils of foothills plain, types and classification of salinization, ways of acceleration of washing of saline soils, specificity and reclamation of their delluvial forms, genetic forms of saline soils and its improvement had always attracted attention. If we would say that in the definition of the dynamics of saline areas, importance of diffuse in migration (changing of location) of salt, the practices of having chemical amelioration in saline soils, main ameliorative properties of delluvial forms of saline soils, regularities and genetic forms of migration and accumulation of mass of salt, specific salinization regimes of highland areas Mukhtar muallim had own style, it would be true.
No doubt the prominent soil scientist Mukhtar Abduyev conducted successful scientific researches on reclamation diversity and main features of saline soils, improvement of hardly reclaimable saline soils, salt regime of irrigated soils of Azerbaijan, rehabilitation of oil-contaminated soils.
At present, the improvement and using of saline soils of Azerbaijan for planting of agricultural crops is one of the problems challenged by us. The scientific research works of Mukhtar Abduyev started in the middle of the last century has not lost its relevance today.
His high creative capabilities, the great scientific potential and the unique organizational ability have ensured his success in the science and life.
MukhtarAbduyev besides continuing the great scientific, scientific-organizational way of well-known scientist, academician Hasan Aliyev, academician V.R.Volobuyev successfully also could develop research of these scientists in the field of soil science in the context of the science according to that period’s requirements.
Founder of Russian soil science at early of XX century Dokuchayev having a great interest in study of Azerbaijani soils during the USSR visited Azerbaijan and during his series of visits to the Greater Caucasus the spreading of soils towards the height of land (vertical zones) was observed. It opened new creative horizons before the Azerbaijani soil scientist Mukhtar Abduyev. For the first time in 1953, "Azerbaijani lands" book was published.
The soil types are defined here and its geographical spreading was shown. Since the same year Mukhtar Abduyev began to conduct scientific researches of the saline soils. He visited all saline soils of Kur-Araz lowlands inch by inch. Despite the difficulty of the conditions, he tried successfully to cope with work. Mukhtar muallim knew well that to wash all saline soils was not possible, because the water itself creates additional salinization of soil. Also, relief of Kur-Araz lowland did not allow that soil to be washed from salts intensively.
The Kur-Araz lowland includes 24 administrative region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including Garabagh, Shirvan, Mugan, Salyan and Mil plains.
One of the most important agricultural regions of Azerbaijan is the Kur-Araz lowland. The main part of the economy of plain is agriculture. Here, grain, cotton, viticulture, fruit growing, sericulture and animal husbandry has been developed. Almost half of all sown areas of the republic are at the Kur-Araz plain.
The Kur-Araz lowland regions have an important role in the cultivation of grain and forage crops planted in our country. A great opportunity was created for plating and growing of cereals. Like now, in the 50-es of last century, the Kur-Araz lowland from agricultural point of view was always appreciated. This lowland then was a subject of attention and Azerbaijani scientists had a special interest in this zone.
Located in the central part of the Azerbaijan Kur-Araz lowland covers altitude of 28 m above the sea level. The area is located on the dry subtropical zone, extends from the north-west to south-east and in the east borders with the Caspian Sea. Here precipitations are low; the average amount of annual precipitation reaches 280 mm.
At that time, one of the main tasks was the study of issue of regionalization of the Kura-Araz lowland hydro-geologically and study of hydro-chemical characteristics. The solution of this very serious problem was related to the problem of water-salt balance of the plain underground waters.
The natural environment of Kur-Araz lowlands has resulted in very many different types of fields. The migration factors of water-salt masses, the routes of this migration, their movement in land soil conditions, time of accumulation of water-salt masses in those land, soil and ground water should be learnt for the allocation of ameliorative soil types.
To determine the water-salt migration routes and factors the geomorphologic analysis and geo-chemical studies were of very great importance.
Mukhtar muallim like the other soil scientists came to the Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan to perform the essential duties in this zone on the saline soils and expressed a desire to work on saline lands after graduating from the Azerbaijan State University. During the studies of Mukhtar Abduyev in saline soils Azerbaijan occupied the second place in the USSR for irrigation husbandry. Abundance of solar energy allowed the development of the cotton in black soils. As a result of studies carried out by the soil scientist, it was determined by field and laboratory experiences that from time to time salinization level of those soils increases and it decreases the productivity. Thus, the quality of land reserve in the Kur-Araz lowland is lost. Therefore, Mukhtar Abduyev expanded to survey of soils in those areas, analyzed soil samples in laboratory conditions and got the important results from it.
The prominent scientist of soil science Mukhtar muallim gradually expanded scientific research carried out on saline soils in Azerbaijan.
As a result of such searches every day, every month, one more innovation was discovered. The scientific innovations related to saline soils was brought to Azerbaijani soil science by Mukhtar Abduyev, and kept the creative position to develop it. His creativity gave its results. He always was in the focus of attention of innovative soil scientists distinguished by special working style.
Mukhtar Abduyev continued successfully research works at the expense of great labors, sleepless nights. As in all aspects of soil science, land reclamation of saline soils is applicable in the life, as well continuously income-generating science. In this regard, all the research work carried out by Mukhtar muallim applied in the production as they were completed.
Therefore, the name of Mukhtar Abduyev always referred with a great respect among other prominent soil scientists like Hasan Aliyev, Jabrayil Huseynov, Vladimir Volobuyev, Mammadamin Salayev, Kazim Alekperov, Shahalı Hasanov and Khalil Mustafayev having a special contribution in creation and development of soil science of Azerbaijan.
To work with such great scientists in the development of soil science was hard but glorious. Mukhtar muallim with his engagement in urgent issues of soil science always focused its own creative possibilities on the solution of scientific problems. On a regular basis he contacted with well-known soil scientists, get advices from them, conducted an exchange of views and all this helped M.Abduyev in solution of important problems of science.
Of course, the value of every scientist contributed in the science is measured by longevity and urgency of the works. Important scientific works raises the scientist; allow him to take place in the history of science. In this regard, doctor of agricultural sciences, Professor Mukhtar Abduyev’s works, books are a great benefit for mass of readers, professionals, students studying in universities, knowledge-giving works.
One of the results of the productive work of Professor Mukhtar Abduyev is work "Salinization of soils of Shirvan steppe and measures to combat it" (Baku, "Elm", 1957). In this work, after the introduction the author provides a brief information about soils of Shiirvan plain, provides the broad information on the crusty brown, meadow, meadow brown, open-meadow gray, brown, etc. soil types of Shirvan steppe defined by H.Aliyev and V. Volobuyev (1953), and analyses the saline soils and its impact on agricultural crops, reasons of salinization of soils of Shirvan plain steppe are studied, the information on 7 factors which raises the upper level of ground waters was provided.
Mukhtar Abduyev had analyzed in details the regularities of geographical distribution of the saline soils of Shirvan plain in work. The schematic map showing the salinization of the soil area was prepared. Professor had analyzed the types of saline soils of Shirvan steppe “on level of salinization”, “on the chemical composition of salts”, “on formation conditions and morphological structure”. The book also shows the ways of reclamation of saline soils.
One of the contributions of Professor Mukhtar Abduyev to soil science is a work "Ameliorative improvement of the Mil steppe lands" (Baku, "Elm", 1973). This book is dedicated to the Mil steppe lands. In Introduction the information about the conditions of salinization of soils in the Mil plain, the factors that influence the soil salinization, geographical spread of salts in Mil steppe lands is provided. Further, the author analyzed water-salt regime of the Mil plain separately, and shows the ameliorative ways to improve the soil. He presents the level of ground waters, the degree of mineralization and dynamics of salinization of soil.
This work having great an importance in the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan, dedicated to Mil steppe, is a product of labor of a great scientist.
One of the big and important works of the Mukhtar Abduyev is monograph "Rapid reclamation of clayed saline soils of Azerbaijan" (Baku, "Elm", 1977), which is result of scientific researches conducted at the expense of hard work.. The monograph consists of 10 chapters. Monograph reflects the land - ameliorative properties of the lowlands of Azerbaijan, bases of improvement of the saline lowlands of Azerbaijan, soil hydrological conditions, recommendations on land reclamation with application of water, gypsum, joint application of gypsum and dung, sulfuric acid, organic gypsum mixture of soil, washing of soil with organic-mineral acids, reclamation of saline soils.
This book is intended for a wide range of readers, for students, scholars, doctor’s degree candidates, is a fundamental scientific work.
Besides the works we cited materials of the works of Mukhtar Abduyev have been published in various international conferences in foreign countries, including in the United States (Washington, DC, 1955), Russia (Moscow, 1954, 1959, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1973; Nalchik, 1971), Ukraine (Kharkov, 1962, 1972), Uzbekistan (Tashkent, 1964 , 1969), Kazakhstan (Alma-Ata, 1970), Egypt (Cairo, 1972), Belarus (Minsk, 1977), Krasnoyarsk (1978), Dagestan (Makhachkala, 1978).
The scientific works of well-known scientist were published in the popular magazines and newspapers of Azerbaijan (works of the Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR, "The agriculture of Azerbaijan" magazine, “The News of Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR”, “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the Azerbaijan SSR", “Kommunist" newspaper; "Azerbaijan's women" magazine", “The socialist agriculture of Azerbaijan" magazine, “Cotton-growing" magazine, “The Soviet village" newspaper", “Literature and Art" newspaper, etc.).
Mukhtar Abduyev had contributed practically to the development of the reclamation of saline soils in Azerbaijan, for deepening the new directions of this science.
As a result of scientific research carried out by scientist it was defined that the land fund of the main area of irrigated lands in the Kur-Araz lowland became saline, depending on natural conditions. Thus, due to the arid climate, soils become saline by natural way, as a result of anthropogenic impacts the level of their salinzation gets further increased because of irrigation and the area increases. Construction of water reservoirs, the channels, as well as collectors and irrigation ditch besides increasing salinization of soils, leads to a sharp increase in the level of ground water in the Kura-Araz lowland, swamping, additional load on the soil. Azerbaijani soil scientists knowing all these, fought against the salinization of the Kur-Araz lowland.
M. Abduyev worked together with academician V.Volobuyev for many years in this field. Results oft their activity is visible. The ways of improvement of saline soils, principles of management of water-salt regime in saline soils, classification of the saline soils for reclamation conditions can be considered as great achievements in science of these scientists.
M. Abduyev in 1956 defended his candidacy thesis "Water-salt dynamics of the soils of eastern part of the Shirvan steppe“ and his was conferred a degree of candidate of agricultural sciences by the USSR High Attestation Commission.
And in 1966 he defends the doctoral dissertation on the subject "Issues of delluvial salinization of Azerbaijan lands and its reclamation" and his was conferred a degree of doctor of agricultural sciences by the USSR High Attestation Commission.
During the years when Mukhtar muallim was engaged in scientific activity his graduate students and authors of dissertation have been conducting scientific-research work in the different regions of Azerbaijan in saline soils and thus continued the works of Mukhtar muallim.
As a result of these scientific-research works they defended dissertations on various topics devoted to saline soils and thus received the scientific degrees and became followers of the school of Mukhtar Abduyev.
Mukhtar Abduyev besides being the head of the laboratory of the Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR, he also worked in capacity of deputy director of the Institute on scientific works. This post was assigned to him by the Collegial Board of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR as a sign of great confidence on him. In addition to the scientific-research works he has been engaged in pedagogical activity, too. He delivered interesting lectures to the students at ASU (present BSU) named after S.M.Kirov, the Azerbaijan Polytechnic Institute (now the Azerbaijan Technical University) named after Ch.Ildirim.
Mukhtar Abduyev was awarded with various honorary decrees, orders and medals according to the contribution in science, and in 1970 he was awarded with Medal of named after V.V.Dokuchayev of the All-Union Society of Soil Scientists.
Mukhtar Rzagulu oglu Abduyev had productive scientific and pedagogical activity, and rendered important services in the field of the preparation of highly qualified specialists.
I felt this care from the first moments I came to science. Thus, in 1973, exams for full-time post-graduate are held at the Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan SSR. I gave my documents for post-graduate study. During examination it was made clear that 8 persons applied for soil science for 1 place. I felt that I entered a real battle arena. Anxiety, fear of exams made me crazy. I do not know how one force took on me and decided to give offhand answers to the questions.
Members of Examination commission were academician V. Volobuyev, doctors of sciences, academician Jabrayil Huseynov and Professor Mukhtar Abduyev.
When I expressed my thoughts to exam Commission members I felt that they felt some concern over me. But both were allowed to respond to this opinion of me approaching. After all they allowed to me reply to all questions. After answering to all questions in details, they asked me additional questions. Now I felt that the commission members were pleased with my answers. Like other members of the commission professor Mukhtar Abduyev took me a trial. He asked me questions from all fields of the soil scienc, including condition of saline soils in the Kura-Araz lowland, ways to improve it, and chemical composition of soil and related to analysis carried out in laboratory conditions. He expressed his positive opinion in the same place.
When our examination marks were announced the Commission members informed that only I was admitted in 1 place for soil science. Later I learned that the initial opinion of Mukhtar muallim was of great importance. It would not be a mistake if I say that such an objective assessment of a person whom I saw for the first time in my life, to my knowledge had an impact over me, I had never forget it.
No doubt, Mukhtar mualllim for ever lives in the heart of the creative intelligentsia, the scientists of Azerbaijan not only for his contribution to science, but most importantly, for the positive qualities that are inherent in human beings.
Garib Mammadov
Chairman of the State Land and Cartography Committee, the academician
