chernozem
Quick Summary
Chernozem, meaning "black earth" in Russian, is a soil group characterized by a deep, humus-rich surface layer. These soils are found in temperate to cool grassland regions across the globe, including prairies, pampas, and steppes. Chernozems are highly fertile and are extensively used for agriculture, particularly for growing cereals, as well as for raising livestock.12
These soils form in climates with seasonal rainfall, cold winters, and hot summers. Their rich humus content and abundant calcium ions contribute to a well-aggregated structure that supports robust natural grass vegetation. Chernozems are considered among the most fertile soils in the world.12
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AfricaChernozem-like and black soilsAn unfailing characteristic of the chernozem is the presence of a subsurface zone of calcium carbonate, sometimes accompanied by calcium sulfate, which is left behind after all the soluble salts have been washed out. Grouped with them are the black soils,…
Read MoreAn unfailing characteristic of the chernozem is the presence of a subsurface zone of calcium carbonate, sometimes accompanied by calcium sulfate, which is left behind after all the soluble salts have been washed out. Grouped with them are the black soils,…
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AsiaThe forest-steppe and steppe…in all Asia; known as chernozems, they are the thickest of the forest-steppe and mixed-grass soils. Characteristic of the wooded-meadow plains of the Amur River basin (the “Amur prairies”) are meadow soils that are dark, moist, and often composed of blue gley. In the drier steppes, where vegetation is sparse,…
Read More…in all Asia; known as chernozems, they are the thickest of the forest-steppe and mixed-grass soils. Characteristic of the wooded-meadow plains of the Amur River basin (the “Amur prairies”) are meadow soils that are dark, moist, and often composed of blue gley. In the drier steppes, where vegetation is sparse,…
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HeilongjiangSoilsBlack soils (chernozems) are prevalent in the foothills, and mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils are podzolized; i.e., the soluble salts and organic matter are leached out of the topsoil and deposited in an underlying subsoil. Such soils are of low…
Read MoreBlack soils (chernozems) are prevalent in the foothills, and mountain brown forest soils higher up. Still higher the cold, wet soils are podzolized; i.e., the soluble salts and organic matter are leached out of the topsoil and deposited in an underlying subsoil. Such soils are of low…
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JilinSoils…the eastern mountainous region and black earth in the western plains. The podzols occur in several forms and are of both high and low fertility. Central and western Jilin are the areas of the black earths of the Northeast Plain. Of high fertility and containing a high percentage of organic…
Read More…the eastern mountainous region and black earth in the western plains. The podzols occur in several forms and are of both high and low fertility. Central and western Jilin are the areas of the black earths of the Northeast Plain. Of high fertility and containing a high percentage of organic…
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MoldovaSoils…varied and highly fertile, with chernozem—rich black soils—covering three-fourths of the republic. The best-developed chernozem, fostering the growth of grain, tobacco, and sugar beets, is found in the north and in the low-lying parts of the central and Dniester uplands, as well as in the left-bank regions. Soil quality diminishes…
Read More…varied and highly fertile, with chernozem—rich black soils—covering three-fourths of the republic. The best-developed chernozem, fostering the growth of grain, tobacco, and sugar beets, is found in the north and in the low-lying parts of the central and Dniester uplands, as well as in the left-bank regions. Soil quality diminishes…
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EuropeSoils…areas of grass steppe are chernozems (black earths)—deep, friable, humus-rich, and renowned for their fertility. In the formerly wooded steppe lying to the north of the grass steppe in both south-central Russia and the lower Danubian lowlands, soils of somewhat less value are known as degraded chernozems and gray forest…
Read More…areas of grass steppe are chernozems (black earths)—deep, friable, humus-rich, and renowned for their fertility. In the formerly wooded steppe lying to the north of the grass steppe in both south-central Russia and the lower Danubian lowlands, soils of somewhat less value are known as degraded chernozems and gray forest…
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RussiaWooded steppe and steppeChernozem (black earth) is the distinctive soil of the steppe, taking its name from the very dark upper horizon—often more than three feet (one metre) thick—which is rich in humus derived from the thick grass cover. Winter frost and summer drought inhibit the decomposition of…
Read MoreChernozem (black earth) is the distinctive soil of the steppe, taking its name from the very dark upper horizon—often more than three feet (one metre) thick—which is rich in humus derived from the thick grass cover. Winter frost and summer drought inhibit the decomposition of…
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UkraineSoils of Ukraine…the black, extremely fertile Ukrainian chernozems; and a zone of chestnut and salinized soils.
Read More…the black, extremely fertile Ukrainian chernozems; and a zone of chestnut and salinized soils.
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