chernozems

Chernozems, or chernozems, are fertile, dark-colored soils that develop under long-term grassland in temperate regions. They are distinguished by a thick humus-rich surface horizon and high base saturation, which confer high fertility and stability.

The soils typically contain a mollic A horizon with high organic carbon and base saturation, and a loamy to clayey texture. They are moderately weathered, with neutral to mildly alkaline pH and strong aggregation that supports deep rooting. Their structure and nutrient richness make them highly productive for crops.

Chernozems are most extensive in the temperate grassland belt of Eurasia, including Ukraine, southern Russia, and western Kazakhstan, with extensions into Moldova and parts of Romania. In North America, similar productive soils are classified as Mollisols rather than Chernozems. In the World Reference Base for Soil Resources, Chernozems denote a distinct soil group within the broader Mollisol-like spectrum found in grassland regions.

As among the world’s most productive agricultural soils, chernozems support cereals such as wheat and barley, along with maize and sugar beet. They are vulnerable to erosion if overcultivated or left bare, and long-term management emphasizes conservation practices, replenishment of organic matter, and appropriate drainage to maintain fertility and structure.