Your gateway to a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps

Victorian Resources Online

GP84

Location: SeatonAustralian Soil Classification: Haplic, Eutrophic, Red DERMOSOL
Geology: Tertiary basalt.General Landscape Description: Low hills.
Soil Mapping Unit: Seaton.Site Description: Roadside cutting on mid-slope of hill (SE aspect).

Photo: Site EG2 Soil Landscape
Site GP84 Landscape


Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil
Photo: Site EG2 Soil Profile
Site GP84 Profile
A10-20 cmBrown (7.5YR5/4); light medium clay; strong medium, parting to strong fine, parting to strong very fine blocky structure; pH 7.1; gradual change to:
Subsoil
B2120-50 cmReddish brown (5YR4/4); medium clay; strong coarse, parting to strong medium blocky and strong fine polyhedral structure; friable when moist; pH 7.7; gradual change to:
B2250-80 cmReddish brown (5YR4/4); medium clay; strong coarse to medium blocky structure; pH 8.2:
C80+ cmWeathered basalt.

Key Profile Features:
  • Gradual increase in texture (clay content) with depth.
  • Well-structured surface and subsoil horizons (parting to fine-sized peds).

Soil Profile Characteristics:

Horizon
pH
Salinity Rating
Surface
(A1 horizon)
Slightly Alkaline
Very Low
Non-Sodic
None
Subsoil
(B21 horizon)
Slightly Alkaline
Very Low
Non-Sodic
None
Deeper subsoil
(at 50-80 cm)
Moderately Alkaline
Very Low
Non-Sodic
None

Graph: pH levels in Site EG2

Graph: Salinity levels in Site EG2
Graph: Sodicity levels in Site EG2
Graph: Clay % in Site EG2


Horizon
Horizon Depth
(cm)
pH
(water)
pH
(CaCl2)
EC 1:5
NaCl
Exchangeable Cations
Ca
Mg
K
Na
meq/100g
A1
0-20
7.1
6.4
0.09
20
11
0.32
0.76
B21
20-50
7.7
7.1
0.13
23
13
0.31
1.4
B22
50-80
8.2
7.6
0.14
30
16
0.25
1.7

Horizon
Horizon Depth
(cm)
Exchangeable Aluminium
mg/kg
Exchangeable Acidity
meq/100g
Field Capacity
pF2.5
Wilting Point
pF4.2
Coarse Sand
(0.2-2.0 mm)
Fine Sand
(0.02-0.2 mm)
Silt
(0.002-0.02 mm)
Clay
(<0.002 mm)
Bulk Density
Kg/L
A1
0-20
5.7
32.2
18.3
4
40
23
30
3.1
B21
20-50
39.3
23.6
5
29
19
43
4.0
B22
50-80
47.9
28.5
6
23
19
48
2.9

Management Considerations:

Whole Profile
  • The soil profile is well structured throughout (parting strongly to fine and medium sized polyhedral peds) and is friable when moist. This will provide good conditions for root and water movement and the soil will be well drained. The soil also has a high inherent fertility and is unlikely to have any significant chemical or physical limitations to plant growth.
  • Free iron oxide levels are reasonably high (but not quite high enough for this soil to be classified as a Ferrosol). These levels of free iron oxide may tend to ‘fix’ phosphorus to some degree – making it less available to plants. Regular phosphorus application can assist in overcoming any deficiency. Addition of molybdenum may also be required. Deficiencies can be assessed by plant tissue analysis.
  • Soil compaction from trafficking can lead to reduced water infiltration and retention as well as an increase in soil strength (resulting in more mechanical resistance to roots) and cloddiness. Compaction of these soils with high clay contents can be caused by over-cultivation or trafficking of the soil (particularly when moist to wet).
Profile Described By: Mark Imhof and Ian Sargeant (May 2004).
Page top