IS33

Location: Longerenong


Australian Soil Classification: Epicalcareous, Self-Mulching, Grey VERTOSOL

Northcote Factual Key: Ug5.28
Great Soil Group: grey clay
Soil Type: Kalkee Clay.

General Landscape Description: Anastomotic plain.
Geology: Quaternary Coonambidgal Formation: fluvial to lacustrine clays and sands.

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A1	0-5 cm	Very dark grey brown (10YR3/2); clay loam; strongly subplastic; cracking and self-mulching surface condition; weak very fine subangular blocky structure; very weak consistence dry; pH 8.3; sharp boundary to:
Subsoil
B21	5-30 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); light clay; subplastic; strong coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; pH 8.8; clear boundary to:
B22	30-60 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); light clay; subplastic; strong coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; pH 9.0; gradual boundary to:
B23	60-90 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); medium clay; moderate very coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; pH 9.0; clear boundary to:
B24	90-120 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); medium clay; moderate very coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; very few (<2%) medium hard carbonate segregations; pH 9.0; gradual boundary to:
B25k	120-150 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2) with faint dark brown (10YR4/3) mottles; light clay; subplastic; weak very coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; common (10-20%) medium (size 2-6 mm) hard carbonate segregations; field pH 9.0; gradual boundary to:
B31k	150-185 cm	Light yellowish brown (10YR6/4) with faint grey brown (10YR5/2) mottles; medium clay; weak very coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; common (10­20%) medium (size 2­6 mm) soft carbonate segregations; field pH 9.0; diffuse boundary to:
B32k	185-215 cm	Brown (10YR5/3) with yellowish brown (10YR5/4) mottles; medium clay; weak very coarse blocky structure; strong consistence dry; slightly sticky consistence wet; common (10-20%) medium (size 2-6 mm) soft carbonate segregations; field pH 9.0.

Horizon	Sample Depth cm	pH H2O	EC dS/m	Sodium Chloride %	Exchangeable Calcium cmol-/kg	Exchangeable Magnesium cmol-/kg	Exchangeable Potassium cmol-/kg	Exchangeable Sodium cmol-/kg	Total Nitrogen %	Organic Carbon %	Field Capacity -30okPa	Permanent Wilting Point -1500okPa	Coarse Sand %	Fine Sand %	Silt %	Clay %
A1	0–5	8.3	0.18	0.03	24.7	5.6	3	0.4	0.14	1.4	33.7	21.8	7	25	17	48
B21	5–30	8.8	0.19	0.02	20.3	9.4	1.8	2.1	0.07	0.7			6	20	11	59
B22	30–60
B23	60–90
B24	90–120
B25k	120–150
B31k	150–185
B32k	185–215

• Cracking clay profile, alkaline throughout.
• Friable self mulching surface, subplastic (feels much lighter than lab tests suggest).
• Very high calcium percentage in surface and upper subsoil (aids structure and friability).
• Darker colour to 120 cm and structured, more favourable than material below.
• Lighter coloured deep subsoil, poorer internal drainage.
• Subsoil is likely to be sodic and salinity increase at depth.
• Landform element, plain: poor site drainage unless near drainage line.