MySoil: Deep loamy duplexes and earths (Darling range)

Brown or Red loams grading to clay.

Broadscale map (1:250 000) of the Darling range Agzone showing the distribution of deep loamy duplexes and earths. Distribution is 50–100% along the western edge, between 0–3%, 3–10% and 10–25% in the central region and 25–50% near Narrogin and Gingin.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for Brown loamy earth. Brown loam (maybe clayey at depth).
Soil pit showing the profile of Brown loamy earth in the Darling range region.

Summary

Table 1 Deep loamy duplexes and earths summary
Occurrence Darling range (12%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

505 Brown deep loamy duplex (Deep Yate loam)

506 Red deep loamy duplex (York Gum soil)

541 Brown loamy earth (Yate loam)

544 Red loamy earth (Red loam, Yate loam)

Also known as

 Deep Yate loam, York Gum soil, Yate loam, Red loam
Australian soil classifications

Mesotrophic Red Kandosol

Mesotrophic Red Dermosol

505, 506 - Red or Yellow or Brown Chromosol or Red or Yellow or Brown Sodosol

541, 544 - Red or Brown Kandosol or Red or Brown Dermosol

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Red or brown hard loams.
  • Prone to  hard-setting.
  • Acidic (505, 541, 544) to neutral/alkaline(506) pH.

Subsoil

  • Neutral to alkaline.
  • Few root restrictions.
  • Calcareous nodules (506) or ironstone gravels (541, 544) may be present.

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 Implications

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 deep sandy duplexes

Soil Group of WA

 505 Brown/506 Red deep loamy duplex* 505 Brown/506 Red deep loamy duplex* 541 Brown/544 Red loamy earth* 541 Brown/544 Red loamy earth*
Constraints Topsoil Subsoil Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity Minor n/a Minor

n/a
Salinity

n/a

 Minor

n/a

n/a
Sodicity and alkalinity

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor
Boron toxicity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Poor nutrient retention

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Aggregate  stability

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Hard setting and crusting Major

n/a

 Major

n/a
Water repellence

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Low plant available water

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Water-logging (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Wind erosion 

(seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

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 - 505 Brown/ 506 Red deep loamy duplex site ID includes: SWL 0287, SWL 0220, SWL 0295, SWL 0099, COR 0891, COR 1789, WBW 0994, KLC 0155.
  • Soil Group of WA - 541 Brown / 544 Red loamy earth site ID includes: COR 0888, COR 0984, CHT 1105.

Further information

Churchward, HM (1992) Soil and Landforms of the Manjimup Area. Land Resources Series No. 10. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

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

King, PD and Wells, MR (1990) Darling Range Rural Land Capability Study. Land Resources Series No. 3. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

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 (2010) Landscapes and Soils of the Narrogin District. Bulletin 4807. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Sawkins, D (2010) Landscapes and Soils of the Katanning District. Bulletin 4817. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Stoneman, TC (1990) An Introduction to the Soils of the Moora Advisory District. Bulletin 4182. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Stoneman, TC (1991) An Introduction to the Soils of the Narrogin Advisory District. Bulletin 4221. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Stoneman, TC (1991) An Introduction to the Soils of the Katanning Advisory District. Bulletin 4202.  Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Stoneman, TC (1990) An Introduction to the Soils of the Albany Advisory District. Bulletin 4203. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

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

Tille, PJ (1996) Wellington-Blackwood Land Resource Survey. Land Resources Series No. 14. Agriculture Western Australia.

See also

MySoil

Further information

Soil

Topics

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 9:33am