O.O. Izmailsky was the frst to cover the issue of the origin of the Ukrainian steppes, their development stage, causes of droughts. The scientist developed scientifcally substantiated complex of organizational, agrotechnical and reclamation measures to fght droughts and further implemented them in agricultural practice. The experimentalist has shown that droughts are not caused by climate, in particular, annual amount of precipitation, but rather by the nature (cultural condition) of the feld surface and the soil structure. He pointed out the need for snow retention, developed and implemented effective measures for its implementation which are relevant today: fallows, mulching, cutting shafts with snow plows, etc. He recommended using artesian wells, artifcial relief creation, slopes terracing, dams and afforestation to resist drought. The scientist led the supporters of deep plowing promoted and implemented in the farms of Poltava and Kherson oblasts. The scientists warned that the human careless attitude to the progressing drying of Ukrainian steppes might result in turning it into a barren desert in the near future. O.O. Izmailsky proposed to organize a wide network of research felds and stations throughout Ukraine in order to address pressing issues of agriculture. He established the link between droughts and deflationary processes. One of the scientist’s immortal merits is his correct concluding that it is the inability of the sprayer, unstructured and dusty soil to absorb, accumulate and give back water and its nitrogen and ash nutrition elements to plants that cause of draughts and hence crop failures in the southern oblasts rather than the sum of the precipitation that falls during a year. The scientists proved the need for support soil surface in a loose state and deepening of the arable layer to resist drought. He developed a set of measures to fght soil erosion. The scientist considered it is not the climate but the soil surface change that is the main reason for the depletion of the Ukrainian steppes to water. He pointed out that water retention plays an important role in the water regime improving ability, moisture capacity, structural condition, water permeability and other agrophysical soil properties, along with mulching the feld with plant residues. The scientists has also explained the reasons for more humid climate of domestic steppes in the past. He pointed out the ways to create a sustainable, environmentally friendly, economically viable agriculture that are adapted to the steppe landscapes to the largest extent.

Key words: steppe, droughts, soil, humidity, steppe agriculture, snow retention, cultural condition, cultivation.