WP1

Location: Morton Plains.	Australian Soil Classification: Episodic-Epicalcareous, Epipedal, Brown VERTOSOL.
Northcote Factual Key: Ug 5.35.	Great Soil Group: brown clay.
General Landscape Description: Extensive plain.

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

• The surface soil is strongly sodic and likely to be responsive to gypsum application. Infiltration of water is likely to be slow and surface crusting may occur if soil is exposed to raindrop impact.
  
  
• The high wilting point value (i.e. 24%) indicates that plants will be unable to utilise light rains when the soil is relatively dry.
  
  
• Tillage, trafficking or over-stocking should be avoided if the soil is wet (i.e. wetter than the plastic limit). At such moisture conditions, these activities could result in structural damage (e.g. compaction, smearing) occurring. Ideally, trafficking should take place when the soil is drier than the plastic limit, down to at least the tillage depth.

• Soluble salt levels are extremely high in the subsoil and are likely to restrict the growth of many salt sensitive species.
  
  
• The subsoil is extremely sodic which will result in restricted root and water movement. Adverse chemical imbalances may also occur as well as possible toxic effects for some plants.
  
  
• The upper subsoil is strongly alkaline. This indicates that certain nutrients (e.g. iron, manganese, zinc and boron) may be poorly available to plants.