Orthic Dark Gray Chernozem (O.DGC)

Common horizon sequence: Ahe, Ae, Bm or Btj or Bt, Cca or Ck

The Orthic Dark Gray Chernozem subgroup may be thought of as the central concept of Dark Gray Chernozems. It encompasses the properties specified for the Chernozemic order and the Dark Gray Chernozem great group. Usually Orthic Dark Gray Chernozems have brownish-colored, prismatic B horizons that commonly meet the requirements of a Bt horizon.

Orthic Dark Gray Chernozems are identified by the following properties:

1. They have a Chernozemic A horizon with a color value darker than 3.5 moist and 3.5-4.5 dry for virgin soils (3.5-5 dry for Ap).
2. They have a B horizon (Bm, Btj, Bt) at least 5 cm thick that does not contain alkaline earth carbonates.
3. They lack an Ae horizon more than 5 cm thick.
4. They lack a Bnjtj horizon or a similar horizon characteristic of intergrades to the Solonetzic order.
5. They lack evidence of gleying as indicated by faint to distinct mottling within 50 cm of the mineral surface.

Note: Diagnostic horizons are underlined.

List all known examples