NE23

Site NE23 Landscape

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1	0-10 cm	Brown (10YR4/3); fine sandy loam; weak coarse blocky structure; firm consistence moist; pH 5.3; abrupt change to:	Site NE23 Profile
A21	10-30 cm	Light grey (10YR7/2) conspicuously bleached; light sandy clay loam; weak consistence moist; rusty root channel mottling present; pH 5.6; clear change to:
A22	30-60 cm	Very pale brown (10YR7/3) conspicuously bleached; fine sandy loam; firm consistence moist; contains a few (5%) ferromanganiferous nodules (10 mm average size) and a few (10%) quartz gravels (4 mm average size); pH 6.0; clear change to:
Subsoil
B21	60-90 cm	Pale yellow (2.5Y7/4) with strong brown (7.5YR5/8) mottles; light medium clay (sandy); contains a few (10%) quartz gravels (4 mm average size); pH 6.3.

• Much of the soil profile will be saturated for prolonged periods i.e. several months, in most years.
• Texture contrast between surface horizons (15-16% clay) and subsoil (37% clay).

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	Exchangeable Aluminium mg/kg	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 (<0.002 mm)
A1	0-10	15	27	9	25	36	20	15
A21	10-30	12	18	4
A22	30-60		18	5	26	39	21	16
B21	60-90				26	25	16	37

• Plant available water capacity(PAWC) is considered to be relatively low (estimated at 60 mm) for this site. This is based on available laboratory data and assumes an effective rooting depth of 60 cm. Rooting depth will be limited by the poor drainage conditions existing at this site.
  
• The poor drainage conditions that exist at this site will result in much of the soil profile being saturated for prolonged periods i.e. several months, in most years. Indicators of waterlogged soils include the bleached A2 horizons, the presence of ferromanganiferous nodules, pale subsoil colours and the presence of distinctive mottling.

• Although the surface soil is strongly acid, the level of exchangeable aluminium measured at this point in the paddock is relatively low (15 mg/kg) and unlikely to restrict plant growth. However, to get a better assessment of the aluminium/pH levels, a bulked sample should be taken from across the paddock.
  
• Manganese toxicity can occur on strongly acid soils, particularly when poor soil drainage conditions exist. Exchangeable manganese levels were not measured for this site but are best assessed on a bulked sample taken from across the paddock.
  
• The inherent fertility of the subsurface (A2) horizons are very low and will not provide good growing conditions for plants. Plant access to nutrients in the subsoil will also be limited due to poor drainage conditions.

• The subsoil will be saturated for prolonged periods in most years. The pale colour and presence of mottling indicates imperfect drainage.

• Superphosphate and nitrogen added 5-6 years ago.