MySoil: Coloured deep sands (Central North)

Brown, yellow and red sands >80 centimetres (cm) deep.

Broadscale map (1:250 000) of the Central north Agzone showing the distribution of coloured sands. Distribution is 3–10% and 10–25% in the central and southern regions. Near Moora and Three Springs distribution ranges between 50–100% and 25–50%.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for yellow deep sand. The soil profile is yellow sands greater than 80cm deep.
Soil pit showing the profile of Yellow deep sand in the Central north region.

Summary

Table 1 Coloured deep sands summary
Occurrence Central North (8%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

441  Brown deep Sand (Alluvial brown sands)

445  Red deep sand

446 Yellow deep sand (Spearwood sands, Karrakatta sands)

Also known as

 Alluvial brown sands, Spearwood sands, Karrakatta sands
Australian soil classifications

(Dominant ASC:  Orthic Tenosol)

441- Orthic Tenosol, Aeric Podosol

445 – Red-Orthic Tenosol

446 – Yellow-Orthic Tenosol

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Brown, red or yellow acidic sands.

Subsoil

  • Ironstone gravel may be present (445, 446).
  • Subsoils sands often acid to neutral pH.
  • Limestone or ferricrete may be present >80cm.

Constraints

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

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 coloured deep sands

Soil Groups of WA

 441 Brown deep sand*

441 Brown deep sand*

 446 Yellow deep sand*

446 Yellow deep sand*
Constraints Topsoil Subsoil Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity Minor Minor Major  Major
Salinity n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Sodicity and alkalinity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Boron toxicity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Poor nutrient retention Minor Minor Major Major
Aggregate stability

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor
Hard setting and crusting

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Water repellence Minor

n/a

 Minor

n/a
Low plant available water Minor Minor Minor Minor
Water-logging (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Wind erosion 

(seasonal)

 Minor

n/a

 Minor

n/a
Water erosion 

(seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

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

Soil Group of WA - 441 Brown deep sand site ID includes: COR 1471, FFS 0066.

Soil Group of WA - 446 Yellow deep sand site ID includes: FFS 0068, TSL 0692, TSL 0349.

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