Solod

Solod 

a soil formed primarily from solonetzes under conditions of periodic washing as a result of the destruction of colloids of the upper levels, the depletion of divalent and trivalent metals (especially iron and manganese), and enrichment in silica (solodi-zation).

The following horizons are distinguished in the profile of solo-di: (A₀) forest floor, (A,) humus (sod), (A₂) solodized level (10–20 cm deep and whitish, with traces of basaltic structure and impregnations of iron-manganese concretions), (A₂B) transitional level, (B) illuvial level, and (C) parent material. Solodi have a humus content of 1.5 to 10 percent (sometimes higher) and are characterized by unfavorable water properties. Three subtypes are distinguished: forest, meadow, and meadow-swamp.

Solodi are encountered in patches in forest-steppe and steppe zones. They are also found in the dry steppes and semiarid zones of Australia, the USA, Canada, and Western Siberia. The growing of crops in solodi requires extensive tilling and the application of organic fertilizers. Solodi are good soils for growing hay plants; they are also suitable for protective forest plantings.