IS35

Location: Longerenong

Australian Soil Classification: Episodic, Epipedal, Grey VERTOSOL

Northcote Factual Key: Ug5.5
Great Soil Group: grey clay
Soil Type: Murtoa 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	Grey (10YR5/1) conspiuously bleached (10YR5/1); medium heavy clay; cracking surface condition; massive very coarse blocky, parting to strong medium blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; pH 7.1; sharp boundary to:
Subsoil
B211	5-30 cm	Dark grey brown (10YR4/2); heavy clay; strong coarse prismatic structure; very strong consistence dry; pH 7.7; clear boundary to:
B212	30-60 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); light medium clay; subplastic; moderate very coarse blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; pH 7.5; gradual boundary to:
B213	60-85 cm	Dark grey brown (2.5Y4/2); medium clay; weak coarse blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; pH 8.0; gradual boundary to:
B22	85-120 cm	Grey brown (2.5Y5/2); light clay; weak coarse blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; field pH 8.0; clear boundary to:
B231	120-150 cm	Light brownish grey (2.5Y6/2); light clay; weak very coarse blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; field pH 8.0; gradual boundary to:
B232	150-215 cm	Light brownish grey (2.5Y6/2); light clay; weak very coarse blocky structure; very strong consistence dry; field pH 7.5.

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	Organic Carbon %	Exchangeable Acidity cmol-/kg	Field Capacity -30okPa	Permanent Wilting Point -1500okPa	Coarse Sand %	Fine Sand %	Silt %	Clay %
A1	0–5	7.1	0.16	0.04	5.4	10.2	0.8	1.7	0.7	5.9	29.2	16.8	2	31	24	42
B211	5–30	7.7	0.37	0.09	8	13.3	0.6	5.9	0.6	4.8	42	27.2	1	16	19	63
B212	30–60
B213	60–85
B22	85–120
B231	120–150
B232	150–215

• Cracking clay profile, high clay percentage.
• Neutral thin surface soil and alkaline below.
• Massive, occasionally moderately structured surface, does not have high level friability/self-mulching, making plant germination more difficult.
• Calcium percentage relatively low and sodium comparatively high in surface and upper subsoil, greater structural resistance to plant growth.
• Lighter coloured deep subsoil, poorer internal drainage.
• Subsoil is likely to be strongly sodic and salinity increases at depth.
• Cracking may allow air and seasonal moisture to penetrate.
• Very strong consistence when dry, implications for compaction and implement use.
• Landform element, plain: poor site drainage.