Site MP6

Location: Walpeup

Australian Soil Classification:
Northcote Factual Key: Uc 5.11
Great Soil Group: .

General Landscape Description: :

MP6 Landscape

Soil Profile Morphology:

Surface Soil

A11	0-35 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/8); sand; loose surface condition; structureless (single grain); loose consistence moist; pH 8.3; diffuse change to:
A12	35-90 cm	Strong brown (7.5YR5/8); sand; structureless (single grain); weak consistence moist; pH 8.1; diffuse change to:
A13	90-100 cm	Yellowish red (5YR5/8); sand (with slight clay); structureless (single grain); weak consistence moist; pH 8.0; diffuse change to:
A14	100+ cm	Strong brown (7.5YR5/8); sand; structureless (single grain); weak consistence moist; pH 8.8.

Key Profile Features:

Soil Profile Characteristics:


The pH is moderately alkaline throughout the profile.	The profile is non-saline throughout.

Management Considerations:

Surface (A) Horizons

The profile is moderately alkaline throughout so appropriate plants should be chosen accordingly.

Subsoil (B) Horizons

The organic carbon levels are rated as very low (as this was measured at the pit site only, this may or may not be representative of the whole paddock). The sandy surface horizons have a very low water holding capacity and a low inherent fertility. Increasing the organic matter levels will help to improve these characteristics as well as assisting in soil aggregation. Organic matter will build up under pasture but will decline if cultivation takes place. Practices such as residue retention, minimum tillage and including pasture rotations could be utilised if cropping takes place, in order to build up organic matter.
These sandy soils can often show a degree of water repellence which restricts water infiltration on the surface. However, once water infiltration begins, it will be rapid through these sandy soil horizons.
The levels of total nitrogen measured at this pit site is low. However, this is best assessed by taking a bulked sample from across the paddock

Profile Described By: Profile described by Mark Imhof, and Sonia Thompson (22/3/94)