EGW83

Location: Wulgulmerang

Australian Soil Classification: Haplic, Eutrophic, Brown CHROMOSOL (Stony)

Map Unit: Gelantipy (Component 1)
Previous Site Name: EG83

General Landscape Description: Plateau
Site Description: Lower slope, <2% slope (Roadside exposure)
Land Use: Grazing
Native Vegetation: Montane grassy woodland
Geology: Tertiary basalt

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface soil
A1	0 – 30 cm	Brown (7.5YR3/2); silty clay loam; strong coarse polyhedral structure; firm consistence moderately moist; many subrounded basalt stones; pH 6.3; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	30 - 55+cm	Brown (7.5YR4/2); medium clay; moderate to strong medium prismatic structure; very firm consistence moderately moist; abundant subrounded basalt stones; pH 6.7.

Key Profile Features:

• Moderate texture contrast between the surface and subsoil horizons.
• Basalt stones throughout the profile, although other roadside cuttings show this to be a variable feature.

Soil Profile Characteristics:

-	pH	Salinity	Sodicity	Dispersion
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Slightly acid	Very low	Non sodic	None
Subsoil (B2 horizon)	Slightly acid	Very low	Non sodic	None

¹ Slight dispersion after remoulding. ² Strong dispersion after remoulding.


Chemical and Physical Analysis:

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	pH (CaCl2)	EC dS/m	Organic Carbon %	Total Nitrogen %	Free Fe2O3 % w/w	Exchangeable Aluminium ppm	Exchangeable Acididty meq/100g	Exchangeable Cations				Coarse Sand (0.2-2.0 mm) %	Fine Sand (0.02-0.2 mm) %	Silt (0.002-0.02 mm) %	Clay (<0.002 mm) %	Field Capacity % w/w	Wilting Point % w/w
										Ca	Mg	K	Na
										meq/100g
A1	0-30	6.3	5.7	0.06	2.3	0.2	2.1	<1	9.2	11	6.4	0.34	0.29	11	34	26	25	41	17.9
B2	30-55	6.7	5.9	0.11			2.4		10.0	17	13	0.35	0.29	5	26	21	42	47.9	29.3

Management Considerations

Whole profile

• The profile is slightly acid throughout.
• These soils are well drained due their strongly developed structure.
• Plant available water capacity is considered to be low, estimated at 45 mm based on the laboratory data, and taking into consideration the presence of basalt stones.

Surface (A) horizons

• The soil has low organic matter content. Organic matter will be better maintained under rotational grazing, which enables stronger pasture recovery, rather than set stocking.
• The nutrient holding capacity of the soil is high (based on the sum of the exchangeable basic cations).
• Potassium levels are low to moderate.

Subsoil (B) horizon

• The friable nature of the subsoil allows deep penetration of plant roots until the basalt rock is encountered.
• The friable nature of the subsoil and the presence of rock will lead to problems with sealing of earth dams.

Profile Described By: David Rees and Grant Boyle, 2000.