EGC203

Location: Beloka

Australian Soil Classification: Acidic, Mesotrophic, Red DERMOSOL

Map Unit: Beloka
Previous Site Name: EG203

General Landscape Description: Undulating low hills
Site Description: Simple mid-slope, 3% slope to north
Land Use: Grazing on annual pasture
Native Vegetation: Montane riparian woodland
Geology: Colluvium and alluvium derived from Palaeozoic sediments

Surface soil
A11	0 – 12 cm	Dark brown (7.5YR4/4); silty clay loam; moderate very fine (2 – 5 mm) granular structure, weak consistence, dry; clear change to:
A12	12 – 25 cm	Strong brown (7.5YR4/6); silty clay loam; moderate very fine (2 – 5 mm) granular structure, weak consistence dry; gradual change to:
Subsoil
B1	25 – 50 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/6); silty light clay (sub-plastic); weak very fine (2 – 5 mm) granular structure, firm consistence dry; gradual change to:
B21	50 – 70 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/8); silty light clay (sub-plastic); weak fine (5 – 10 mm) polyhedral structure, firm consistence dry; clear change to:
B22	70 – 110+ cm	Yellowish red (5YR54/6); silty light clay (subplastic); weak fine (5 – 10 mm) polyhedral structure, firm consistence dry; very few (< 2 %) medium (6 – 20 mm) quartz pebbles

• Lack of strong texture contrast between the surface (A) horizons and the subsoil (B21) horizon.
• The whole profile has very low amounts of soluble salts.

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	pH (CaCl2)	EC dS/m	Organic Carbon %	Total Nitrogen %	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
A11	0-12	5.6	4.9	0.08	3.6	0.25	<10	8.3	4.9	0.95	0.62	0.06	20	35	12	26	27.7	9.5
A12	12-25	5.5	4.8	0.05	1.1	0.08	15	6.3	3.1	1	0.4	0.06	16	37	14	28	22.2	7.8
B1	25-50	5.3	4.5	<0.05	0.8		75	11.0	3.4	2.6	0.76	0.08	11	22	14	49	29.3	17.0
B21	50-70	5.4	4.6	<0.05	0.62		39	12.0	3.4	3.2	0.9	0.08	10	18	12	57	34.7	21.0
B22	70-110	5.2	4.4	<0.05	0.47		170	14.0	1.9	2.4	0.74	0.1	10	18	13	59	34.7	21.4

• Plant available water is considered to be moderate for this profile, assuming an effective rooting depth of 90 cm, although most were within 30 cm of the surface in the soil pit.

• The pH is moderately acidic and a response to lime would be expected. Before lime is applied further tests, e.g. laboratory tests and lime test strips, are recommended to determine a likely cost/benefit. In strongly acid soils deficiencies in molybdenum and phosphorus may occur.
• The level of organic matter in the soils is very high. This results in high structural condition and high structural stability.
• The surface soils have a low nutrient holding capacity. Maintenance of the present high levels of organic matter is important in retaining water and nutrient holding capacity.

• The strong red and brown colours in the subsoil indicate the soils have good internal drainage.
• No impeding layers for root growth or water movement are present.
• The subsoil is strongly acid and has high levels of exchangeable aluminium at depth. This will restrict the growth of deeper-rooted aluminium sensitive species.