Full explanation
WRB classification: Chernozems. Ukraine's DSTU 4362:2004 distinguishes typical chernozems (central — Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Poltava), ordinary (Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia), southern (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson), and podzolized (Forest-Steppe transition). Humus horizon depth 50–120 cm, CEC 35–50 cmol(+)/kg, pH 6.8–7.5. Field capacity 28–34% volume. Over 40 years (1985–2025), typical Ukrainian chernozems have lost ~22% of humus due to intensive tillage and wheat–sunflower–soy–sunflower monoculture. Recovery requires at least 20–40 years. Land price after the 2021 moratorium lift: USD 2,500–4,500/ha for Category I chernozems, USD 1,500–2,500/ha for Category III. Cadastral valuation — DSTU 4727:2007.