GRES401

Location: Bairnsdale East

Australian Soil Classification: Eutrophic, Mottled-Mesonatric, Brown SODOSOL

Map Unit: Stratford
Previous Site Name: AL64

General Landscape Description: Slight depression on the plain.


Chemical and Physical Analysis:

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	EC dS/m	Organic Carbon %	Total Nitrogen %	Free Fe2O3 % w/w	Exch. Acididty meq/100g	Exchangeable Cations				Field texture	Coarse Sand (0.2-2.0 mm) %	Fine Sand (0.02-0.2 mm) %	Silt (0.002-0.02 mm) %	Clay (<0.002 mm) %
								Ca	Mg	K	Na
								meq/100g
A1	0-5	5.0	0.06	2.18	0.18	0.8		1.1	1.3	0.3	0.2	ZL	8	47	27	14
A2	10-20	5.5	0.05	1.01	0.09	0.8		1.0	1.3	0.2	0.3	ZCL	6	38	27	18
B21	30-35	5.4	0.10			2.6		1.2	4.3	0.1	1.6	MC	3	24	33	39
B22	60-80	6.0	0.35			3.9		1.5	8.5	0.2	4.9	LC	4	20	21	53
B23	90-110	6.6	0.54			3.1		1.6	8.9	0.2	5.7	LC	4	31	17	48

• The surface soil is strongly acid and it is likely the pastures could show a marked response to lime, particularly given the low calcium levels in the soil. Lime should first be added in test strips to see whether it is warranted.
• Potassium levels are at deficiency levels and a response to added potassium may be expected, provided there are no other nutrient deficiencies.
• The calcium to magnesium ratios are low and some nutrient deficiencies (eg calcium deficiency) could occur.

• The subsoil is clayey, sodic and has low calcium to magnesium ratio. Such soils are a likely to be dispersive, coarsely structured and restrictive to root development.
• Strongly sodic soils occur in the deeper subsoil.
• Harmful levels of soluble salts occur in the deeper subsoil.