GN29

	Australian Soil Classification: Haplic, Eutrophic, Red CHROMOSOL (medium loamy surface)
Northcote Factual Key: Dr 2.33	Great Soil Group: red-brown earth
Soil Type: SHEPPARTON FINE SANDY LOAM
General Landscape Description: Level plain with prior stream activity.

GN29 Landscape

A1	0-25 cm	Reddish brown (5YR4/4) fine sandy loam; pH 6.1; abrupt change to:	GN29 Profile
A2	25-30 cm	Yellowish red (5YR4/6) sporadically bleached fine sandy loam; very firm consistence dry; pH 6.9; abrupt change to:
Subsoil
B21	30-60 cm	Red (2.5YR4/8) fine sandy clay; some mixing with surface horizon material; weak to moderate coarse blocky structure; contains a trace (< 2%) amount of manganese stains; pH 7.1; clear change to:
B22	60-85 cm	Red (2.5YR4/8) and dark red (2.5YR3/6) fine sandy clay loam; contains a few (2-5 %) manganese stains associated with root channels; pH 8.4; clear change to:
B31	85-140 cm	Strong brown (7/5YR4/8) light fine sandy loam (micaceous); pH 8.3; clear change to:
B32	140 cm+	Pale brown (10YR6/3) [with yellowish brown (10YR5/4) associated with root channels] sandy loam (micaceous).

• Moderate texture contrast between surface (A) horizons and upper subsoil (B21) horizon.

	pH	Salinity Rating	Sodicity	Dispersion
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Slightly Acid	Very Low	Non-Sodic	None
Upper subsoil (B21 horizon)	Slightly Alkaline	Very Low	Non-Sodic	Slight
Deep subsoil (at 1 m)	Moderately Alkaline	Very Low	Non-Sodic	-

Management Considerations:

Surface (A) Horizons

• The surface soil has a very high fine sand (54%) and silt (19%) content. Organic matter has a very important influence on soil aggregation in such soils and is also important in terms of fertility and water holding capacity.
• The relatively low wilting point value (6 %) indicates that plants will be better able to utilise light rains falling on relatively dry soil compared to the more heavier textured surface soils on nearby soil types.

• The nutrient status (based on the sum of the exchangeable basic cations) of the upper subsoil is low-moderate.
• The upper subsoil is non-sodic and has a reasonable calcium:magnesium ratio (ie. 1.6). Slight dispersion occurs but the soil should be relatively well drained.