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MP25

Group: Birchip Cropping GroupLocation: Curyo
Australian Soil Classification: Epihypersodic, Pedal, Calcic CALCAROSOL.
General Landscape Description: Very gently undulating plain within the Culgoa Land System (Rowan and Downes, 1963).


Photo: Site MP25 Landscape
Site MP25 Landscape


Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1 0-10 cmDark brown (7.5YR4/4); heavy clay loam (sandy); hardsetting and massive; some surface cracking evident; very firm consistence dry; pH 8.2; sharp and wavy change to:

Photo: Site MP25 Soil Profile
Site MP25 Profile
Subsoil

B21 10-20 cmDark brown (7.5YR4/4); medium clay; moderate medium prismatic, parting to blocky structure; strong consistence dry; pH 9.3; clear change to:

B2220-50 cmBrown (7.5YR5/4); medium clay; moderate medium blocky structure; strong consistence dry; contains a few soft carbonates; pH 9.7; clear change to:

B3150-100 cmReddish yellow (5YR6/8); heavy clay; pH 9.9.

Soil Profile Characteristics:

pHSalinity RatingSodicityDispersion
Surface
(A1 horizon)
moderately alkalinevery lownon-sodicnone1
Subsoil
(B21 horizon)
very strongly alkalinelow-mediumstrongly sodicslight
Deeper subsoil
(at 75 cm)
extremely alkalinelow-mediumstrongly sodicstrong
1 Strong dispersion after remoulding.


Graph: Site MP25 pH levels
Graph: Site MP25 Salinity levels
Graph: Site MP25 Sodicity levels


HorizonHorizon Depth
(cm)
pH
(water)
pH (CaCl2)EC ds/mNaCI %Exchangeable CationsField
Capacity
pF 2.5
Wilting Point
pF 4.2
Coarse Sand (0.2 - 2.0 mm)Fine Sand
(0.02 -0.2 mm)
Silt
(0.002 -0.02 mm)
Clay
(<0.002 mm)
CaMgKNa
meq/100g
A10-108.27.60.15

14.95.620.933122827434
B2110-209.38.40.44<0.0512.312.61.65.947222415445
B2220-509.790.760.055.816212.15724







B3150-1009.99.10.64<0.054.313.81.712












Management Considerations:

Surface (A) Horizon
  • Although non-sodic, the surface soil disperses significantly after remoulding. This indicates that structural degradation (e.g. surface sealing, crusting, increased cloddiness) may occur if the soil is cultivated or overstocked in a moist to wet condition. Also, raindrop action on bare surface soil may also promote dispersion and result in surface sealing or crust formation
  • Increasing organic matter levels will assist in improving surface soil aggregation and ameliorating the hardsetting condition. Organic matter will decline under cropping but can be improved by adopting practises such as minimum tillage, residue retention and utilising pasture rotations
Subsoil (B) Horizons
  • The upper subsoil is very strongly alkaline becoming extremely alkaline with depth. This indicates that phosphorus and trace elements such as iron, manganese, copper and zinc may be poorly available to plants
  • The subsoil is strongly sodic and dispersive. The movement of water and plant roots is likely to be restricted as a result. The high level of exchangeable magnesium will also compound the deleterious effect of exchangeable sodium on subsoil structure
  • The level of soluble salts is only low-medium in the deeper subsoil and is only likely to affect very salt sensitive species
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