Victorian Resources Online (archived)
Stratford Series
Soils included in this series have distinct texture contrasts between hard setting surface soil horizons and moderately to strongly pedal clayey subsoils. Sporadically bleached A2 ‘subsurface’ soil horizons are present. The uppermost subsoil layer, that is at least 15 cm thick, is whole-coloured and brown. The soil reaction trend is alkaline.
This series consists of the following soil type:
Stratford Clay Loam (ST cl)
Profile Morphology:
Surface Soil - A1 horizon
- About 10 cm thick (range 7-12 cm).
- Dark greyish brown to reddish brown.
- Clay loam to fine sandy clay loam.
Surface Soil - A2 horizon
- 3-5 cm thick.
- Brown to dark yellowish brown with a sporadic bleach.
- Clay loam to sandy clay loam.
- This horizon may occur only as nests of sporadic bleaching at the interface between the A and B horizons.
Subsoil
- Brown to dark brown, gradually becoming redder and/or paler with depth. Slight colour mottling may occur in the deep subsoils.
- Medium to heavy clay.
Soil Inclusions:
- Trace to slight amounts of soft and/or hard CaCO3 usually occur at about 60 cm.
- Pockets of fine crystals of gypsum may occur in the deep subsoils.
- Trace amounts of ferruginous concretions may occur throughout the B horizons.
Analytical data for selected depths down the profile:
Depth | pH | Total Soluble Salts | Sodium Chloride | Moisture Retention @ 15-Bar | Moisture Retention @ 1/3-Bar |
. | . | % | % | % | % |
A | 6.6 | 0.026 | * | 9.9 | 24.3 |
B | 7.8 | 0.103 | 0.079 | 22.2 | 41.7 |
C | 8.8 | 0.318 | 0.180 | 20.7 | 40.4 |
* Sodium Chloride contents were not measured and are expected to be very low (based on TSS <0.05%).
Occurrence:
Stratford clay loam occurs mainly in the flood plains and in slight depressions on the gently undulating plains.
