MySoil: Deep loamy duplexes and earths (Moora to Kojonup)

Brown or Red loams grading to clay.

Broadscale map (1:250 000) of the Moora to Kojonup Agzone showing the distribution of deep loamy duplexes and earths. Distribution is scattered with 25–50% near Moora and Wickepin, while Darkan to Cranbrook is 3–10%.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for red deep loamy duplex. Red loam over clay at 30-80cm.
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 red deep loamy duplex in the Moora to Kojonup region.
Soil pit showing the profile of Brown loamy earth in the Moora to Kojonup region.

Summary

Table 1 Deep loamy duplexes and earths summary
Occurrence Moora to Kojonup (10%)

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

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

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

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Neutral pH.
  • Firm to hard-setting surface soil.

Subsoil

  • Neutral to alkaline.
  • Sodic with moderate to low permeability.

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 loamy duplexes and earths

Soil Groups of WA

505 Brown or 506 Red deep loamy duplex*

505 Brown or 506 Red deep loamy duplex*

541 Brown or

544 Red loamy earth*

541 Brown or

544 Red loamy earth*
Constraints Topsoil Subsoil Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity n/a

n/a

 Minor

n/a
Salinity

n/a

n/a

n/a

 Minor
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 Minor

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 deep loamy duplex site ID includes: COR 1660, KLC 0138.
  • Soil Group of WA - 506 Red deep loamy duplex site ID includes: KLC 0724, KLC 2313.
  • Soil Group of WA - 541 Brown loamy earth site ID includes: FFS 0093, FFS 0099, FFS 0120, MRA 0007.
  • Soil Group of WA - 544 Red loamy earth site ID includes:  FFS 0142.

Further information

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

Fulton, I and Lantzke, N (1993) Soils of the Northam Advisory District: The Darling Range and West Kokeby Zones. Bulletin No. 4257. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Lantzke, N (1992) Soils of the Northam Advisory District. Bulletin No. 4244. The Zone of Ancient Drainage. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Lantzke, N (1993) Soils of the Northam Advisory District. Bulletin No. 4245. The Zone of Rejuvenated Drainage. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

Lantzke, N and Fulton, I (1993) Land Resources of the Northam Region. Series No.11. 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.

Percy, H (2000) Katanning Area Land Resource Survey. Land Resources Series No. 16. 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.

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 (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.

Verboom, B and Galloway, P (2004). Corrigin Area Land Resource Survey. Land Resources Series No. 20. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

 

 

See also

MySoil

Further information

Soils

Topics

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 9:35am