NTF6

Location: Carwarp, Victoria	Landform: Dune
Geology: Quaternary Woorinen Formation: aeolian dune sand, calcareous clay	Element: Dune
Slope: 3%

NTF6 landscape

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1	0–10 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/6) sandy loam with heavy qualifier; weak polyhedral structure; peds 5-10 mm; rough fabric; dry water status; weak consistence; highly calcareous; pH 8.5; very fine roots are common; abrupt smooth boundary to:	NTF6 profile
A2	10–20 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/8) fine sandy clay loam; apedal massive structure; dry water status; firm consistence; cultivation pan evident; coarse and very coarse calcareous nodules; no abundance listed; highly calcareous; pH 8.5; few very fine roots; clear wavy boundary to:
Subsoil
D1/B	20–40 cm	Reddish yellow (5YR6/8) medium clay; apedal massive structure; dry water status; firm consistence; moderately cemented massively structured continuous calcrete pan; very many coarse and very coarse calcareous nodules; very highly calcareous; pH 8.5; few very fine roots; gradual smooth boundary to:
D2	40–85 cm	Reddish yellow (5YR6/6); many prominent coarse reddish yellow mottles; now that’s a good find; medium clay; apedal massive structure; dry soil water status; very firm consistence; moderately cemented massively structured continuous calcrete pan; very many coarse and very coarse calcareous nodules; very highly calcareous; pH 9.5; gradual smooth boundary to:
D3/K3	85–155 cm	Reddish yellow (7.5YR7/8); many prominent coarse yellowish red mottles; medium heavy clay; weak polyhedral structure; ped size 2-5 mm; rough fabric; distinct clay skin cutans are common; dry soil water status; very firm consistence; moderately cemented massively structured continuous calcrete pan; very many coarse and very coarse calcareous nodules; very highly calcareous; pH 9.5; gradual boundary to:
D4	155–175+ cm	Reddish yellow (5YR7/8); many prominent medium and coarse yellowish red mottles; medium heavy clay; weak polyhedral structure; ped size 5-10 mm; smooth fabric; distinct clay skin cutans are common; dry soil water status; very firm consistence; moderately cemented massively structured continuous calcrete pan; very many coarse and very coarse calcareous nodules; very highly calcareous; pH 9.5.

Key Profile Features:

Soil Profile Characteristics:

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	pH (CaCl2)	EC 1:5	OC %	Exchangeable Cations				Field Capacity pF 2.5	Wilting Point pF 4.2	Coarse Sand (0.2 - 2 mm)	Fine Sand (0.02 -0.2 mm)	Silt (0.002 -0.02 mm)	Clay (<0.002 mm)
						Ca	Mg	K	Na
						meq/100g
A11	0–10	8.9	8.2	0.12	0.54	22	1.9	1.5	0.11	16.6	6.3	31.1	42.7	18	5
A12	10–20	8.9	8.2	0.14	0.39	22	2.7	1.5	0.32	20.8	6.7	23.6	40.8	18	5.5
B/D1	20– 40	9.4	8.3	0.25		20	4.9	1.5	1.4	24.6	7.8	20.8	30	19.5	6
D2	40 -85	10.1	8.9	0.76		1.8	2.4	1.7	4.8	16	7.8	22.4	28.6	20	7
D3 (K3)	85–155	9.8	8.9	1.1		1.7	2.4	1.6	4.7	29.2	12.2	26.5	32.9	18	4
D4	155–175+	9.8	9.1	1.1		1.9	4.1	1.6	7.1	12.9	4.3	15.9	45.6	26.5	5.5

Management Considerations:

• Alkaline pH trace elements such as zinc, iron, copper and boron become less available and can lead to deficiencies in plants.
• Alkaline profile. Sulphates of iron and ammonium, elemental sulphur and organic matter are used to lower the pH (increase acidity) of the soil. In alkaline soils with a pH of more than 7 the following nutrients may be unavailable:
  - Iron
  - Manganese
  - Zinc
  - Copper
  - Boron
  

• The pH of soil or more precisely the pH of the soil solution is very important because soil solution carries in it nutrients such as Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), and Phosphorus (P) that plants need in specific amounts to grow, thrive, and fight off diseases.
• Poorly structured profile
• Susceptible to wind erosion
• Evapotranspiration rates may exceed rainfall