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MP27

Location: Woomelang
Australian Soil Classification: Calcic, Mottled-Subnatric, Brown SODOSOL
General Landscape Description: Gently undulating plain within the Hopetoun Land System (Rowan and Downes, 1963).

Photo: Site MP27 & 28 landscape
Site MP27 Landscape.


Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil


A10-10 cmDark brown (7.5YR4/4); sandy clay loam; hardsetting and massive; firm to very firm consistence dry; pH 8.7; sharp change to: Photo: Site MP27 profile
Site MP27 Profile
Subsoil

B2110-30 cmStrong brown (7.5YR4/6) with yellowish red (5YR5/8) mottles; medium clay; moderate blocky structure; firm consistence slightly moist; pH 9.3; gradual change to:

B22k30-80 cmYellowish red (5YR5/8) with reddish yellow (7.5YR6/6) mottles; medium clay; moderate blocky structure; weak consistence, moderately moist; fine earth carbonates common (10%); pH 9.9; gradual change to:

B3180-130 cmYellowish red (5YR5/8) with reddish yellow (7.5YR6/6) mottles; medium clay; moderate blocky structure; weak consistence, moderately moist; fine earth carbonates common (10%); pH 9.9; gradual change to:


Soil Profile Characteristics:


pH
Salinity Rating
Surface
(A1 horizon)
strongly alkaline
very low
sodic
none
Subsoil
(B21 horizon)
very strongly alkaline
low
sodic
none1
Deeper subsoil
(at 1 m)
very strongly alkaline
high
very strongly sodic
none2
1 Strong dispersion after remoulding. 2 Lack of dispersion due to high levels of soluble salts.


Graph: Site MP27 pH levels
Graph:  Site MP27 salinity levels
Graph: Site MP27 sodicity levels

Horizon
Horizon Depth
(cm)
pH
(water)
pH
(CaCl2)
EC
1:5
NaCI %
Exchangeable Cations
Field
Capacity
pF 2.5
Wilting Point
pF 4.2
Coarse Sand (0.2 - 2.0 mm)
Fine Sand
(0.02 -0.2 mm)
Silt
(0.002 -0.02 mm)
Clay
(<0.002mm)
Ca
Mg
K
Na
meq/100g
A1
0-10
8.7
7.9
0.12

10.4
2.3
1.4
0.2
7
23
34
34
2
23
B21
10-30
9.3
9.2
0.24

10.5
9.4
1
2.6
11
38
24
17
3
43
B22k
30-80
9.9
9
0.86
0.07
2.3
9.3
1.2
10.8
46
40




B31
80-130
9.5
8.7
1.44
0.23
3.2
8.8
1.3
10.5
44
37





Management Considerations:

Surface (A) Horizons
  • The surface soil is strongly alkaline which indicates that phosphorus and some trace elements (e.g. iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc) may be poorly available to plants. Deficiencies should be determined by plant tissue analysis.
  • The surface soil is hardsetting and organic matter is important for maintaining soil aggregation.
Subsoil (B) Horizons
  • The subsoil is very strongly alkaline which indicates that phosphorus and some trace elements (e.g. iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc) may be poorly available to plants.
  • The subsoil from 30 cm depth is strongly sodic and has a low exchangeable calcium:magnesium ratio. This will adversely affect soil structure and result in restricted root and water movement through the profile.
  • The level of soluble salts increases with depth in the subsoil and is high in the deeper subsoil (from 80 cm depth). These levels will restrict the growth of deeper-rooted salt sensitive species.
Profile Described By: Mark Imhof and John Martin (24/1/93).
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