MySoil: Calcareous loamy earths (Central North)

Calcareous loam that may grade to calcareous clays.

Broadscale map (1:250 000) of the Central north Agzone showing the distribution of calcareous loamy earths. The distribution is scattered with 25–50% and 50–100% from Dowerin to Bonnie Rock.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for calcareous loamy earth for soil group 542. The soil profile consists of calcareous loam throughout and may grade to calcareous clay from 30cm.
Soil pit showing the profile of calcareous loamy earth (soil group 542) in the Central north region. The soil profile shows loamy soil.

Summary

Table 1 Calcareous loamy earths
Occurrence Central North (8%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

 542 Calcareous loamy earth
Also known as

Kopi soil, Morrell soil, Lake Bank soil
Australian soil classifications

Calcic Calcarosol, Calcic Red Sodosol

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Loamy textured surface grading to clay.
  • May appear “powdery” when dry but can set hard following rain.
  • Topsoil be water repellent when dry.
  • Alkaline pH throughout.

Subsoil

  • Loamy to clay subsoils with limestone.
  • Limestone/calcrete nodules common.
  • Highly alkaline and saline in the lower subsoil.

Constraints

The following data has been derived from actual site samples taken. These results are recorded in Excel spreadsheets.

Table 2 Common management constraints key
Rating Limitation
Not applicable (n/a) No constraints identified
Minor Minor constraint - reduces crop yields in some years
Major Major constraint - reduces crop yields in most years
Severe Severe constraint - will always reduce crop yields
Table 3 Management constraints for calcareous loamy earths

Soil Group of WA

542 Calcareous loamy earth*

542 Calcareous loamy earth*
Constraints Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity n/a

n/a
Salinity

n/a

 Major
Sodicity and alkalinity

n/a

 Major
Boron toxicity

n/a

 Minor
Poor nutrient retention

n/a

n/a
Aggregate stability Severe Severe
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

n/a
Hard setting and crusting Major

n/a
Water repellence

n/a

n/a
Low plant available water

n/a

 Minor

Water-logging (seasonal)

n/a

n/a
Wind erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a
Water erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

*Note - Data derived from site identifications (ID's).

  • Soil Group of WA - 542 Calcareous loamy earth site identifications (ID's) includes: COR 0181, COR 0180, MDN 0327, MDN 0328, MRA 0503, MRA 0504, MRA 0505, FFS 0050, FFS 0069, MRA 0188.

Further information

Department of Agriculture and Food (2013) Report card on sustainable natural resource use in agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Grealish, G and Wagnon, J (1995) Land Resource of the Bencubbin Area. Land Resource Series No. 12. Agriculture Western Australia.

Lantzke, N and Fulton, I (1993) Land Resource of the Northam Region. Land Resource Series No. 11. Agriculture Western Australia.

McArthur, WM (2004) Reference Soils of South-western Australia (Reprint). Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Moore, G (2004) Soil Guide: A Handbook for Understanding and Managing Agricultural Soils. Bulletin 4343. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Sawkins, D (2010) Landscapes and Soils of the Northam District. Bulletin 4803. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Sawkins, D (2009) Landscapes and Soils of the Merredin District. Bulletin 4788. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Schoknecht, N and Pathan, S (2013) Soil Groups of Western Australia. Resource Management Technical Report 380. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Stoneman, TC. (1992) An Introduction to the Soils of the Merredin Advisory District. Bulletin 4235. Department of Agriculture.

See also

MySoil

Further information

Soils

Topics

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 9:37am