Victorian Resources Online (archived)

EGW83

Location: Wulgulmerang

Australian Soil Classification: Haplic, Eutrophic, Brown CHROMOSOL (Stony)

Map Unit: Gelantipy (Component 1)
Previous Site Name: EG83

General Landscape Description: Plateau
Site Description: Lower slope, <2% slope (Roadside exposure)
Land Use: Grazing
Native Vegetation: Montane grassy woodland
Geology: Tertiary basalt

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface soil
A1	0 – 30 cm	Brown (7.5YR3/2); silty clay loam; strong coarse polyhedral structure; firm consistence moderately moist; many subrounded basalt stones; pH 6.3; clear change to:
Subsoil
B2	30 - 55+cm	Brown (7.5YR4/2); medium clay; moderate to strong medium prismatic structure; very firm consistence moderately moist; abundant subrounded basalt stones; pH 6.7.

Key Profile Features:

Moderate texture contrast between the surface and subsoil horizons.
Basalt stones throughout the profile, although other roadside cuttings show this to be a variable feature.

Soil Profile Characteristics:

-	pH	Salinity	Sodicity	Dispersion
Surface soil (A1 horizon)	Slightly acid	Very low	Non sodic	None
Subsoil (B2 horizon)	Slightly acid	Very low	Non sodic	None

¹ Slight dispersion after remoulding. ² Strong dispersion after remoulding.

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
A1	0-30	6.3	5.7	0.06	2.3	0.2	2.1	<1	9.2	11	6.4	0.34	0.29	11	34	26	25	41	17.9
B2	30-55	6.7	5.9	0.11			2.4		10.0	17	13	0.35	0.29	5	26	21	42	47.9	29.3

Management Considerations

Whole profile

The profile is slightly acid throughout.
These soils are well drained due their strongly developed structure.
Plant available water capacity is considered to be low, estimated at 45 mm based on the laboratory data, and taking into consideration the presence of basalt stones.

Surface (A) horizons

The soil has low organic matter content. Organic matter will be better maintained under rotational grazing, which enables stronger pasture recovery, rather than set stocking.
The nutrient holding capacity of the soil is high (based on the sum of the exchangeable basic cations).
Potassium levels are low to moderate.

Subsoil (B) horizon

The friable nature of the subsoil allows deep penetration of plant roots until the basalt rock is encountered.
The friable nature of the subsoil and the presence of rock will lead to problems with sealing of earth dams.

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

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