Vertic Solonetz (VSZ)
The soils of this great group have horizons that are characteristic of any of the other three great groups of Solonetzic soils. In addition, they have properties that indicate a intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically they have a slickenside horizon, the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak vertic horizon.
Brown Vertic Solonetz (B.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bn or Bnt, Bnvj or Bntvj, Bnss or Bntss or Cskss, Csk
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Brown Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values higher than 4.5 dry and chromas usually higher than 1.5 dry. They also have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bnss or Cskss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak vertic horizon (Bntvj).
Dark Brown Vertic Solonetz (DB.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bn or Bnt, Bnvj or Bntvj, Bnss or Bntss or Cskss, Csk
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Dark Brown Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values lower than 3.5 moist and between 3.5-4.5 dry. They also have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bnss or Cskss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak Vertic horizon (Bntvj).
Black Vertic Solonetz (BL.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bn or Bnt, Bnvj or Bntvj, Bnss or Bntss or Cskss, Csk
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Black Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values lower than 3.5 moist and dry and chromas usually less than 2. Also they have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bnss or Cskss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak vertic horizon (Bntvj).
Gleyed Brown Vertic Solonetz (GLB.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bngj or Bntgj, Bngjvj or Bntgjvj, Bngjss or Bntgjss or Cskgjss, Cskgj or Cskg
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Gleyed Brown Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values higher than 4.5 dry and chromas usually higher than 1.5 dry. They also have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bngjss, Bntgjss or Cskgjss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak Vertic horizon (Bngjvj or Bntgjvj). They differ from Brown Vertic Solonetzs by having faint to distinct mottles that indicate gleying within 50 cm of the mineral surface.
Gleyed Dark Brown Vertic Solonetz (GLDB.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bngj or Bntgj, Bngjvj or Bntgjvj, Bngjss or Bntgjss or Cskgjss, Cskgj or Cskg
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Gleyed Dark Brown Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values lower than 3.5 moist and between 3.5-4.5 dry. They also have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bngjss, Bntgjss or Cskgjss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak vertic horizon (Bngjvj or Bntgjvj). They differ from Dark Brown Vertic Solonetzs by having faint to distinct mottles that indicate gleying within 50 cm of the mineral surface.
Gleyed Black Vertic Solonetz (GLBL.VSZ)
Common horizon sequence: Ah, Ae or AB, Bngj or Bntgj, Bngjvj or Bntgjvj, Bngjss or Bntgjss or Cskgjss, Cskgj or Cskg
Soils of this subgroup have a solonetzic B horizon as defined for the Solonetzic order and the properties specified for the Vertic Solonetz great group. Gleyed Black Vertic Solonetzs have either an Ah, Ahe, or Ap horizon with color values lower than 3.5 moist and dry and chromas usually less than 2. They also have properties that indicate intergrading to the Vertisolic order. Specifically, they have a slickenside horizon (Bngjss, Bntgjss or Cskgjss), the upper boundary of which occurs within 1 m of the mineral surface. They may also have a weak vertic horizon (Bngjvj or Bntgjvj). They differ from Black Vertic Solonetzs by having faint to distinct mottles that indicate gleying within 50 cm of the mineral surface.
Note: Diagnostic horizons are underlined.