chernozem

noun

cher·​no·​zem ˌcher-nə-ˈzem 

-ˈzyȯm

: any of a group of dark-colored zonal soils with a deep rich humus horizon found in regions (such as the grasslands of central North America) of temperate to cool climate

chernozemic

ˌcher-nə-ˈze-mik 

-ˈzyȯ-

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from chërnyĭ black + zemlya earth

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above