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MM5154

Site code

      MM5154
Location
      Meredith (Meredith Shelford Road), Meredith district, south-west Victoria
Landform
      Undulating basalt rises
Geology
      Quaternary Newer Volcanics: extrusive tholeiitic to alkaline basalts, minor scoria and ash
Element
      Flat

Profile morphology
Horizon

Depth (cm)

Description

A1
0–15
Black (10YR2/1); medium clay; strong fine blocky structure; very firm consistence (dry); gradual boundary to:
B21
15–60
Black (10YR2/1); medium clay; strong coarse blocky structure; firm consistence (moderately moist); clear boundary to:
B22
60+
Very dark grey (10YR3/1); medium clay; strong coarse blocky structure; firm consistence (moderately moist).

ASC: Endohypersodic, Epipedal, Black Vertosol

Analytical data Source: Government of Victoria, State Chemistry Laboratory.

Site MM5154
Sample
depth
pH
EC
NaCl
Ex Ca
Ex Mg
Ex K
Ex Na
Ex Al
Ex acidity
Horizon
cm
H2O
CaCl2
dS/m
%
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
mg/kg
cmolc/kg
A1
0–15
5.9
N/R
0.29
N/R
18.9
18.9
1.9
0.4
0
14.8
B21
15–60
6.8
N/R
0.13
N/R
20.3
20.3
0.9
1.3
0
9.6
B22
60+
7.3
N/R
0.08
N/R
22.5
22.5
0.7
1.1
N/R
7.1

Site MM5154
Sample
depth
FC
(-10kPa)
PWP
(-1500kPa)
KS
FS
Z
C
Org C
Bulk density
Horizon
cm
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
t m-3
A1
0–15
42.2
28.5
3
25
17
43
4.7
0.98
B21
15–60
44.7
32.6
3
23
18
47
N/R
0.77
B22
60+
N/R
N/R
3
26
17
47
N/R
N/R

Management considerations
Cracking soils vary in their workability depending on their moisture status (highly permeable when dry and impermeable when saturated). These soils are also prone to structure decline particularly when worked wet. They are also generally alkaline with depth and can place stress on roots with their high shrink-swell capabilities. The main priority on these soils is to avoid working when wet (on or below plastic limit).

Alkaline subsoils are associated with a high nutrient capacity but result in an imbalance in nutrient availability (may be restrictive to certain plant species (e.g. potatoes). These soils are often associated with sodic and calcic soil properties. Growing alkaline tolerant species is a practical option.
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