Victorian Resources Online (archived)

EGW78

Location: W Tree

Australian Soil Classification: Melanic, Eutrophic, Red FERROSOL

Map Unit: W Tree (Component 1, crest)
Previous Site Name: EG78

General Landscape Description: Plateau
Site Description: Lower slope, 2% slope
Land Use: Grazing
Native Vegetation: Valley grassy woodland
Geology: Tertiary basalt

The steep wooded hills in the background are mapped as the Carrabungla map unit.

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface soil
A	0 – 35 cm	Dark reddish brown (5YR3/2); clay loam; strong medium polyhedral structure, parting to very fine polyhedral structure; weak consistence moderately moist; pH 6.2; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	35 - 55+cm	Dark reddish brown (2.5YR3/4); medium clay; strong coarse polyhedral parting to fine polyhedral structure; firm consistence moist; pH 6.2.

Key Profile Features:

Deep, strongly structured soil profile

Soil Profile Characteristics:

-	pH	Salinity	Sodicity	Dispersion
Surface soil (A horizon)	Slightly Acid	Very Low	Non-sodic	None
Subsoil (B2 horizon)	Slightly Acid	Very Low	Non-sodic	None

Chemical and Physical Analysis:

Horizon	Horizon Depth (cm)	pH (water)	pH (CaCl₂)	EC dS/m	Organic Carbon %	Total Nitrogen %	Free Fe₂O₃ % w/w	Exchangeable Aluminium ppm	Exchangeable Acididty meq/100g	Exchangeable Cations				Coarse Sand (0.2-2.0 mm) %	Fine Sand (0.02-0.2 mm) %	Silt (0.002-0.02 mm) %	Clay (<0.002 mm) %	Field Capacity % w/w	Wilting Point % w/w
										Ca	Mg	K	Na
										meq/100g
A	0-35	6.2	5.2	<0.05	4.0	0.26	6.1	<1	19.0	9.2	4.2	0.92	0.19	7	22	27	34	42.4	17.9
B2	35-55	6.2	5.3	<0.05			8.1	<1	13.0	6.7	4.5	0.48	0.23	4	14	16	63	43.5	29.3

Management Considerations

Whole profile

The profile is slightly acid throughout.
These soils are very well drained due to their strongly developed subsoil structure.
There is little restriction to roots throughout the profile.
Plant available water capacity is considered to be high; estimated at 130+ mm, based on the laboratory data and the depth of soil available to plant roots.

Surface (A) horizons

The nutrient holding capacity of the soil is moderate (based on the sum of the exchangeable cations).
The soils are high in iron oxide, but the pH is probably high enough to minimise phosphorus fixation.
Potassium levels are high.

Subsoil (B) horizon

The friable nature of the subsoil allows very deep penetration of plant roots.
The friable nature of the subsoil can lead to problems with sealing of earth dams.

Profile Described By: David Rees and Grant Boyle, 2000.

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