Rutherglen Research Institute

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A soil survey of the then Rutherglen Research Station was carried out by T.J Poutsma and J.K.M Skene from the former Department of Agriculture. This survey was undertaken to provide more accurate soils information for the design and evaluation of soil management and fertility trials, and for the testing of plant species and varieties. About 480 hectares were examined in 1952. In 1959, a further 340 hectares were acquired and surveyed. The original area was also re-examined in more detail. The final report was then published in 1961.

The soils were examined using hand-augered inspection sites from 80 to 200 metres apart and as much as 2 metres deep. Twelve profiles, representing seven soil types, were sampled for laboratory analysis. In addition, some 120 samples were collected from the surface and subsoils for information about pH and salt content across soil types.

The Soils of the Rutherglen Research Station, Victoria

This map was developed from the map in 'The Soils of Rutherglen Research Station, Victoria' prepared by Poutsma and Skene (1961) Department of Agriculture.

The mapping scale used for the original map was 1:16 000 which makes this a high intensity soil survey.

Twelve soil reference sites were described for the original survey and the locations of these are shown on the map in the original report. A number of soil pit sites were later described by Imhof

et al

(1996) and the location of these sites are marked on this clickable map.

Mapping Units

Soil types differ from each other in various profile properties i.e. texture, colour and thickness of horizons. Usually these differences in soil profile are related to variations in surface features such as relief and vegetation, and the soil type can be given geographical expression e.g. the soil type can be mapped by means of these surface features.

Where different soil types are found together without any change in surface features, or where they are too closely associated to separate at the scale of working used, the soil types are mapped into complexes. Three sub-complexes or composites of soil types have also been recognised on the Station.

The soil boundary represents a zone of transition between two soil types. This zone of changing soils may cover only a few metres, or it can extend over 20 metres. This applies in a different way to the boundaries of Units 1 and 2. These often separate complexes of Rutherglen loam coupled with other soil types, from areas of pure Rutherglen loam. The boundaries here have been drawn on the irregular presence of the associate soils.

Extent of Soil Types in Poutsma and Skene (1961) Survey.

Soil Type	Area in Hectares	Percentage of Total Area
Soils on the Plains
Black Dog Fine Sandy Loam (including complex with Lilliput Loam).	84	10
Rutherglen Loam	428	52
Rutherglen Clay Loam and Type F	6	1
Types A,B,C,D	20	2
Unit 1	30	4
Unit 2	132	16
Mine Spoil	16	2
Creek Frontage	2	<1
Soils on the Hill Slopes - Catena
Stillards Loam	52	6
Type G	24	3
Type H	12	1
Type J	14	2
Total	820	100

Soil Pit Site Information

In 1996, a number of soil pits were described across the Institute. These were published in an internal report by Imhof et al (1996) and used as the basis for a Soil Characterisation and Classification Workshop held at the Institute from the 26-27 November, 1996. This soil pit information is available from the clickable map above.

References

Imhof, M., Rampant, P., Lourey, R., Martin, J. and Hall, R. (1996). Major Agricultural Soils of the Institute for Integrated Agricultural Development - Rutherglen. Unpublished Report. Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Poutsma, T.J. and Skene, J.K.M. (1961). The Soils of Rutherglen Research Station, Victoria. Technical Bulletin No. 12. Department of Agriculture.

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