pedocal

A *soil in which lime accumulates in the surface layers, which consequently become alkaline. Pedocals occur in regions with light rainfall and are usually fertile as they may be rich in potash and phosphates as well as lime. In persistently dry conditions calcium salts may be deposited on the soil surface. Pedocals are one of the two main types of zonal soils (compare pedalfer), and include the chestnut-brown soils, chernozems, and red desert soils.