Phaeozem

A phaeozem (PH) can be defined through :

and :

a base saturation (by 1 M NH₄OAc) of 50 percent or more and a calcium carbonate-free soil matrix at least to a depth of 100 cm from the soil surface, or to a contrasting layer (lithic or paralithic contact, petrocalcic horizon) between 25 and 100 cm

and :

no diagnostic horizons other than an albic, argic, cambic or vertic horizon, or a petrocalcic horizon^[1]in the substratum

Possible qualifiers

For each RSG, there are some possible prefix and suffix qualifiers :

Prefix qualifiers		Suffix qualifiers

Vermic Greyic Technic Rendzic Leptic Vertic Endosalic Gleyic Vitric Andic Ferralic Stagnic Petrogypsic Petroduric Duric Petrocalcic Calcic Luvic Haplic		Anthric Albic Abruptic Glossic Calcaric Tephric Sodic Pachic Oxyaquic Densic Skeletic Arenic Siltic Clayic Chromic Novic

↑ A petrocalcic horizon may be present locally (e.g. the "Tosca" in Argentina). Such petrocalcic horizons are considered to be polygenetic and may best be handled for classification purposes at phase level (e.g. Luvic Phaeozem, Tosca phase)