What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company (2024)

Fertile soil means a plot of soil which is able to grow crops. Soil fertility can be classified as high, moderate and low fertility. Highly fertile lands are the best to grow crops, especially food sources to feed the nation, while less fertile of barren lands appear desert-like or with fewer plants.

What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company (1)

There are a few countries in the world that are considered the most arable. Being arable means that these countries have some of the most fertile lands in the world. Ten of the most fertile countries include Bangladesh, Denmark, the Ukraine, Moldova, India, Hungary, Rwanda, Comoros, Togo and Gambia.

What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company (2)

There are a few types of soil that are considered highly fertile. Each type of soil consists of different types of nutrients that contribute to the growth and health of crops. Some types of soil are as follows:

Alfisols – Nearly 10% of the world’s ice-free land.

This type of soil is found in Western Europe and parts of North and South America, Africa, India, and Australia. It is a clay-based and relatively fertile with high aluminum and iron content soil.

Andisols – 1% of the world’s ice-free soil.

Andisols are found mostly in New Zealand, Northwest USA, Chile, Kenya, Indonesia, and Japan. This type of soil is formed from volcanic ash and highly fertile and ideal for crops.

Mollisols – 7% of the world’s ice-free land.

Found in Ukraine, parts of Russia and the USA, mollisols are some of the world’s most fertile soil. This type of soil includes black soils with high organic content.

What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company (3)

Vertisols – 2.5% of the world’s ice-free land.

This type of soil is found in India, Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, and South America. With irrigation they support cereal, cotton, sorghum, and rice growing.

What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company (2024)

FAQs

What are the most fertile soils around the world? | Everchem Fertilizer Company? ›

Mollisols – 7% of the world's ice-free land. Found in Ukraine, parts of Russia and the USA, mollisols are some of the world's most fertile soil. This type of soil includes black soils with high organic content.

Who has the most fertile soil in the world? ›

The most fertile soils on Earth are the so-called black soils or chernozems. These are found in some areas in North America, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia. It took several millennia and a specific climate and steppe vegetation for them to form.

Which is the richest fertile soil? ›

Fertile soils teem with life. Porous loamy soils are the richest of all, laced with organic matter which retains water and provides the nutrients needed by crops. Sand and clay soils tend to have less organic matter and have drainage problems: sand is very porous and clay is impermeable.

Which is the world's best agricultural soil? ›

About Black Soils

Black soils are characterized by a very dark-colored topsoil, rich in soil organic carbon. They are amongst the most productive and fertile soils in the world.

Which is the best fertile soil in USA? ›

The best states for farmland in the US include Montana, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky, Wyoming, and California. Consider factors like profitability, cost of operation, infrastructure, and availability when selecting a location.

Which country has the best quality soil in the world? ›

Found in Ukraine, parts of Russia and the USA, mollisols are some of the world's most fertile soil. This type of soil includes black soils with high organic content.

What are the top 10 fertile soil in the world? ›

There are 10 countries that have the most fertile lands(soils) in the world. They are: India, Bangladesh, Comoros, Denmark, Gambia, Hungary, Moldova, Rwanda, Togo and Ukraine.

Where is the best farmland in the world? ›

The world has 15.749 million km(2) of arable land. (Arable land is land ploughed or tilled regularly, generally under a system of crop rotation). India has the most arable land in the world followed by the United States, Russia, China and Brazil.

Where is the richest soil in us? ›

Iowa has some of the most fertile soils in the world. this “black gold” is found in northeast Iowa's gently rolling terrain, molded by climate, water and plant life.

Why is Ukraine so fertile? ›

Chernozem is the rich black soil that makes Ukraine one of the most fertile places on Earth. It's a soil that was formed from very fine mineral particles that prehistoric winds carried away from ancient glacial beds. “The wind acted as a huge filter,” says Dr. Léon Hardy, a Canadian geomorphologist in Ukraine.

Who has the best soil in the US? ›

Mollisols found in the Midwestern U.S. are the best for agriculture due to the grasslands that were present thousands of years ago. These prairies produced strong and fertile soils because after each year, the grasses would breakdown and contribute nutrients to the ground.

Which country has the most fertile soil for agriculture? ›

The chernozems of central Ukraine, among the most fertile soils in the world, occupy about two-thirds of the country's area.

What is the best soil on the market? ›

  • 1 FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil.
  • 2 Michigan Peat Potting Soil.
  • 3 The Cat Ladies Potting Soil.
  • 4 Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Soil.
  • 5 Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Soil.
  • 6 Burpee Premium Organic Potting Soil.
  • 7 Kenzoplants Organic Potting Soil.
  • 8 Black Gold All Purpose Potting Soil.

Does the US have rich soil? ›

Known for some of the richest soil in the US, the Midwest is home to some of the most productive agricultural soil in North America. According to the USDA, the US contains only about 5% of the world's population, but it provides more than 25% of the world's food supply.

Which state has most fertile land? ›

Punjab is the most fertile state on earth. It is best to produce wheat, sugarcane, rice, vegetables, and fruits in Punjab. Punjab's other name is the Granary of India and India's breadbasket.

Does North America have fertile soil? ›

North America benefits greatly from its fertile soils, plentiful freshwater, oil and mineral deposits, and forests. With a strong domestic and export economy focused on this abundant array of natural resources, North America has become one of the most developed regions in the world.

Why is Ukrainian farmland so fertile? ›

Nearly a quarter of the world's most fertile soil, known as Chernozem, is located in Ukraine. Chernozem is black soil rich in organic matter called 'humus,' which is made up of decomposed plants. More than 65 percent of arable land in Ukraine is composed of Chernozem deposits, making it ideal for farming.

Where is the poorest soil in the world? ›

The humus layer, which is that dark, organic stuff in the soil that develops when plants or animal matter break down, is minimal nearly everywhere. The soil in the Amazon rainforest is the poorest and most infertile in the world.

What is the healthiest soil? ›

Loam: This is an ideal garden soil. Crumbly, full of organic matter, retains moisture yet still drains well. This is what we're working toward; this is "good" garden soil.

Where is the most farmland being lost in the US? ›

Low-density residential (LDR) land use includes scattered subdivisions and large-lot housing, which fragments the agricultural land base and limits production. The Plains states are losing some of the most prime farmland in America, according to AFT. Kristopher Reynolds is the Midwest regional director with AFT.

Who is the No 1 country in farming? ›

China is the world's largest grain producer, yet has grown more dependent on food imports in recent decades. Much of India's output is produced by subsistence farmers and consumed locally. The U.S. is the world's top food exporter thanks to high crop yields and extensive agricultural infrastructure.

What states have the worst soil? ›

Answer and Explanation: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies which states have the worst soil pollution. According to recent research, states such as New York and California are some of the most polluted.

Why is Iowa soil so fertile? ›

Iowa's rich soil developed under prairie plants and was held tightly by them. When prairie plants die, their decomposition returns nutrients to the soil, creating a rich, black silty soil. When Iowa land was first plowed, the settlers found 14 to 16 inches of topsoil.

What is the black dirt capital of the world? ›

Conrad, Iowa is the black dirt capital of the world.

Is Russian soil fertile? ›

Many regions of Russia experience six months of snow cover each year and in these places the subsoil can often be frozen permanently. The most fertile regions are in the southern parts of the country between Kazakhstan and Ukraine called chernozem ("black earth") in Russian.

Where is black soil found in USA? ›

The Great Plains of the US; Northern Kazakhstan, and; Locally in some countries of Central Europe.

What country has the most black soil? ›

There are an estimated 725 million hectares of black soils worldwide. The Russian Federation has the largest area by far, followed by Kazakhstan and China. Black soil distribution strongly correlates with native prairie ecosystems including, but not limited to, other grassland ecosystems with a continental climate.

Which soil is richest in human? ›

Explanation of correct Option:
  • Clayey soil particles are small in size and are tightly packed and so it is not aerated well and retains water.
  • Due to its small particle size and water, humus gets easily mixed with it.
  • Thus, clay has the highest humus content.

Is topsoil going away? ›

A full 90 per cent of the Earth's precious topsoil is likely to be at risk by 2050, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO.

What climate has the best soil? ›

Answer and Explanation: The temperate climate of the grasslands allows for the formation of the most fertile soil.

Which country has the best quality agriculture? ›

China is the world's largest rice, wheat, and potato producer. They are also the second-largest producer of corn. China has over one billion acres of arable land, about one-fifth of the world's total. The country's agricultural output has steadily increased due to improved technology and increased investment.

Where can I get rich soil? ›

Rich Soil can only be found by harvesting crops, and the drop rate for it is extremely low, so you'll be spending plenty of time toiling in your field if you want to stock up on this crafting material. Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

Which soil is best for all vegetables? ›

The best soil suitable for vegetables includes lots of compost and organic matter such as composted leaves and ground or shredded, aged bark. Whatever you're starting with, incorporate enough organic material so that the amended soil is neither sandy nor compacted.

What is the best soil to keep water out? ›

Loam Soil is best. A combination of sand, silt, and clay particles, this soil absorbs water readily and is able to store it for use by plants. Loam absorbs water at a rate between 1/4 and 2 inches per hour. Sandy Soil, because it has very large spaces, absorbs water at a rate of more than 2 inches per hour.

Why is the US losing soil? ›

Climate change, the spread of intensive agriculture, deforestation and industrial activity have accelerated the loss of soils in almost every country in the world.

Are we running out of fertile soil? ›

According to the U.N., soil erosion may reduce up to 10% of crop yields by 2050, which is the equivalent of removing millions of acres of farmland. And when the world loses soil, food supply, clean drinking water and biodiversity are threatened.

What is the most abundant crop in the US? ›

The largest United States crop in terms of total production is corn, the majority of which is grown in a region known as the Corn Belt. The second largest crop grown in the United States is soybeans.

Which state has the richest farmers? ›

The wealthiest farmer in the United States lives and farms in California. Stewart Resnick, 81, owner of The Wonderful Company and 65 percent of the nation's pistachios, has had a distinct and sweeping effect on agriculture in the Golden State.

Who owns the most farmland in the world? ›

1. The Family Of Queen Elizabeth II Of Great Britain. Although recently deceased, the Queen's royal family will inherit the leadership, which makes them the technical owners of the country. The total size of the British Commonwealth is an astounding 6.75 Billion acres.

What state has the least farming? ›

Surprisingly, the largest state (Alaska) has even fewer farms than the smallest state (Rhode Island): 1,050 versus 1,100.

Why is Midwest soil so rich? ›

Millions of years of glaciers, swamps, and decay have left behind a deep base of topsoil rich in nutrients and organic matter. It's this organic matter that makes Midwestern farms so valuable, and why farmers there tend to see very high yields.

Which is the least fertile soil in the world? ›

Answer and Explanation: A temperate forest biome has the least fertile soil.

Is US soil depleted? ›

Summary: A new study shows that, since Euro-American settlement approximately 160 years ago, agricultural fields in the midwestern U.S. have lost, on average, two millimeters of soil per year. This is nearly double the rate of erosion that the USDA considers sustainable.

Why is Ukrainian soil so fertile? ›

Chernozem is the rich black soil that makes Ukraine one of the most fertile places on Earth. It's a soil that was formed from very fine mineral particles that prehistoric winds carried away from ancient glacial beds. “The wind acted as a huge filter,” says Dr. Léon Hardy, a Canadian geomorphologist in Ukraine.

How fertile is Russian soil? ›

The most fertile regions are in the southern parts of the country between Kazakhstan and Ukraine called chernozem ("black earth") in Russian. Just over 7% of the country's total land is arable, 60% of which is used for cropland and the remainder for pasture.

How much of our fertilizer comes from Ukraine? ›

Russia and Ukraine together export 28% of fertilizers made from nitrogen and phosphorous, as well as potassium, according to Morgan Stanley. Disruptions of those shipments due to sanctions and war has sent fertilizer prices skyrocketing. High grain prices are rising even more.

What are 3 foods that grow well in Ukraine due to climate and soil? ›

The fertile soil in the region, known as the "breadbasket of the world" due to its abundance in grains like wheat, barley, corn, soybeans -- and other food including sunflower oil and poultry -- had ensured in decades past that Ukraine would remain one of the top food producers and exporters in the world.

Where is the richest soil in America? ›

Iowa has some of the most fertile soils in the world. this “black gold” is found in northeast Iowa's gently rolling terrain, molded by climate, water and plant life.

Where is the best soil in America? ›

Mollisols found in the Midwestern U.S. are the best for agriculture due to the grasslands that were present thousands of years ago. These prairies produced strong and fertile soils because after each year, the grasses would breakdown and contribute nutrients to the ground.

Who owns the most land in USA? ›

The 2022 Land Report 100, compiled each year by The Land Report magazine, released its annual list of landowners who own the most acres in the United States. The nation's largest private landowners are the Emmerson family in California who own over 2.4 million acres.

Why do billionaires buy farmland? ›

Currently, investors are attracted to farmland due to its low correlation with the stock market's volatility. This makes it an exceptional tool for diversifying portfolios. Farmers have pricing power for their crops. Food is not a discretionary item on any budget.

What country owns US farmland? ›

Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agricultural Land
Country of Foreign InvestorTotal AcresTotal Value (US$)
France1,315,7482,974,709,000
Denmark856,4741,126,811,000
Luxembourg802,2491,832,757,000
Ireland759,732430,765,000
6 more rows
Mar 16, 2023

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