MM178

Site code
      MM178
Location
      Hardie Hill (Buninyong Mount Mercer Road), Grenville district, south-west Victoria
Landform
      Low hills
Geology
      Quaternary Newer Volcanics: extrusive tholeiitic to alkaline basalts, minor scoria and ash
Element
      Lower slopes

Profile morphology
Horizon

Depth (cm)

Description

A1
0–25Dark brown (10YR3/3); fine sandy clay loam; apedal massive structure; weak consistence (dry); clear boundary to:

A2
25–40Pale brown (10YR6/3), light grey (10YR7/2 dry) conspicuously bleached; fine sandy clay loam; sharp boundary to:

B21
40+Olive brown (2.5Y4/4) with brown (10YR5/8) mottles; heavy clay; strong coarse blocky structure; strong consistence (dry).


ASC: Eutrophic, Mottled-Hypernatric, Grey Sodosol

Analytical data Source: Government of Victoria, State Chemistry Laboratory.

Site MM178
Sample
depth
pH
EC
NaCl
Ex Ca
Ex Mg
Ex K
Ex Na
Ex Al
Ex acidity
Horizon
cm
H2O
CaCl2
dS/m
%
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
cmolc/kg
mg/kg
cmolc/kg
A1
0–25
5.4
N/R
0.05
N/R
1.5
1.5
0.1
0.2
32
8
A2
25–40
5.8
N/R
0.03
N/R
1
1
0
0.2
0
11.6
B21
40+
7.9
N/R
0.34
0.06
4.1
4.1
0.5
4.8
N/R
0

Site MM178
Sample
depth
FC
(-10kPa)
PWP
(-1500kPa)
KS
FS
Z
C
Org C
Bulk density
Horizon
cm
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
t m-3
A1
0–25
28
10
9
46
33
10
1.8
1.08
A2
25–40
N/R
N/R
21
42
30
8
0.8
N/R
B21
40+
49.5
32.1
5
20
15
60
N/R
1.25

Management considerations
These soils have acidic, hardsetting topsoils and exhibit a strong texture contrast between the surface soil and the subsoil with a bleached A2 horizon. The bleached A2 horizon is an indication of restricted drainage, poor soil structure (often massive) and low organic matter and nutrients. The fine segregations can restrict root penetration and limit available water holding capacity where there are sufficient amounts, often forming a discontinuous or continuous pan where concentrated (>50%). The subsoils are mottled, sodic and slightly alkaline indicating periodic waterlogging and nutrient imbalance.

Improvement of soil structure and nutrient input through increased organic matter would be useful while management options include reduced tillage and altering the subsoil through artificial drainage (ripping, mole drainage) and/or chemical amelioration (gypsum) to improve structure.
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This page contains material sourced from the Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website, originally published by the State Government of Victoria. The content is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence . The material has been adapted and re-formatted; no endorsement by the Victorian Government is implied.