EGW78

Location: W Tree

Australian Soil Classification: Melanic, Eutrophic, Red FERROSOL

Map Unit: W Tree (Component 1, crest)
Previous Site Name: EG78

General Landscape Description: Plateau
Site Description: Lower slope, 2% slope
Land Use: Grazing
Native Vegetation: Valley grassy woodland
Geology: Tertiary basalt



The steep wooded hills in the background are mapped as the Carrabungla map unit.

Surface soil
A	0 – 35 cm	Dark reddish brown (5YR3/2); clay loam; strong medium polyhedral structure, parting to very fine polyhedral structure; weak consistence moderately moist; pH 6.2; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	35 - 55+cm	Dark reddish brown (2.5YR3/4); medium clay; strong coarse polyhedral parting to fine polyhedral structure; firm consistence moist; pH 6.2.

• Deep, strongly structured soil profile

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	pH (CaCl2)	EC dS/m	Organic Carbon %	Total Nitrogen %	Free Fe2O3 % w/w	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
A	0-35	6.2	5.2	<0.05	4.0	0.26	6.1	<1	19.0	9.2	4.2	0.92	0.19	7	22	27	34	42.4	17.9
B2	35-55	6.2	5.3	<0.05			8.1	<1	13.0	6.7	4.5	0.48	0.23	4	14	16	63	43.5	29.3

• The profile is slightly acid throughout.
• These soils are very well drained due to their strongly developed subsoil structure.
• There is little restriction to roots throughout the profile.
• Plant available water capacity is considered to be high; estimated at 130+ mm, based on the laboratory data and the depth of soil available to plant roots.

• The nutrient holding capacity of the soil is moderate (based on the sum of the exchangeable cations).
• The soils are high in iron oxide, but the pH is probably high enough to minimise phosphorus fixation.
• Potassium levels are high.

• The friable nature of the subsoil allows very deep penetration of plant roots.
• The friable nature of the subsoil can lead to problems with sealing of earth dams.