Back to: Victorian Horticulture Soils
Kandosols (Australian Soil Classification) lack strong texture contrast between the surface (A) horizons and subsoil (B) horizons. They are also characterised by having massive (i.e. structureless) or only very weakly structured subsoils that are often 'earthy' in appearance. Some part of the weakly developed B horizon must have a clay content of more than 15%. If the clay content is less than 15% then the soils would often then be classified as Tenosols.
Distribution
Kandosols are not a major horticulture cropping soil and often occur on steep terrain, especially associated with granite landscapes. |
Black and Brown Kandosols can occur in riverine valleys associated with recent alluvium. Red Kandosols can also occur in the northern Victorian riverine plains where they are typically associated with channel deposits of prior streams. Soil Pit Site GN23 is an example of a Red Kandosol in the East Shepparton region. Kandosols often occur in association with other soil types such as Dermosols and Tenosols and there may be some gradations between these. | Site GN23 profile |