Summary
Occurrence | Central North (14%) |
---|---|
Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA) | 504 Grey shallow loamy duplex (Grey clay soil) 507 Red shallow loamy duplex (Jam soil) 508 Yellow/Brown shallow loamy duplex (Moort soils) 601 Hard cracking clay 621 Grey non-cracking clay 622 Red/brown non-cracking clay |
Also known as | Grey clay soil, Jam soil, Moort soil |
Australian soil classifications | 504 Grey or Yellow Chromosol, Grey or Yellow Sodosol 507 Red Chromosol, Red Sodosol, Red Dermosol 508 Yellow or Brown Chromosol, Yellow or Brown Sodosol 601 Epipedal, Crusty or Massive Vertosol 621 Grey or Yellow Dermosol, Grey or Yellow Kandosol 622 Red or Brown Dermosol, Red or Brown Kandosol |
Distinguishing features
Topsoil
- Surface soils are hard loams and clays.
- Inherently fertile throughout.
Subsoil
- Dense poorly drained loamy to light clay subsoils.
- Subsoils can range from mildly acidic to highly alkaline with carbonate at depth.
- Saline and sodic subsoils common.
- Drainage is impaired.
Constraints
The following data has been derived from actual site samples taken. These results are recorded in this Excel spreadsheet.
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 |
Soil Groups of WA | 504 Grey shallow loamy duplex* | 504 Grey shallow loamy duplex* | 507 Red 508 Yellow/brown shallow loamy duplex* | 507 Red 508 Yellow/brown shallow loamy duplex* | 601 Hard cracking clay | 601 Hard cracking clay | 621 Hard grey clay 622 Hard red/brown clay* | 621 Hard grey clay 622 Hard red/brown clay* |
Constraints | Topsoil | Subsoil | Topsoil | Subsoil | Topsoil | Subsoil | Topsoil | Subsoil |
Acidity and aluminium toxicity | n/a | n/a | Minor | Minor | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Salinity | n/a | n/a | n/a | Minor | n/a | Minor | n/a | Minor |
Sodicity and alkalinity | n/a | Minor | n/a | Major | n/a | Major | n/a | Major |
Boron toxicity | n/a | n/a | n/a | Minor | n/a | Minor | n/a | Minor |
Poor nutrient retention | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Aggregate stability | n/a | Major | n/a | Major | n/a | Major | n/a | Minor |
Compaction and hard layers | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Hard setting and crusting | Minor | n/a | Minor | n/a | Minor | n/a | Major | n/a |
Water repellence | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Low plant available water | n/a | n/a | Minor | Minor | n/a | n/a | Minor | Minor |
Water-logging (seasonal) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Wind erosion (seasonal) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Water erosion (seasonal) | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
*Note - Data derived from site identifications (ID's).
- Soil Group of WA - 504 Grey shallow loamy duplex site ID includes: FFS 0048.
- Soil Group of WA - 507 Red, 508 Yellow/Brown shallow loamy duplex site ID includes: COR 0183, FFS 0133, COR 1497, COR 1031, SCS 0313, FFS 0067, FFS 0052, FFS 0063, FFS 0062, FFS 0044, FFS 0326.
- Soil Group of WA - 601 Hard cracking clay site ID includes: FFS 0131, COR 1032, MRA 0501.
- Soil Groups of WA - 621 Hard Grey Clay, 622 Hard Red/Brown Clay site ID includes: FFS 0043, MRA 0187.
Further information
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.