MySoil: Pale deep sands (Darling Range)

White, grey or pale sands overlying gravels to depths of at least 80 centimetres (cm).

Broadscale map (1:250 000) of the Darling range Agzone showing the distribution of pale deep sands. The majority of the map shows 3–10% pale sands but there is high distribution between 50–100% from Gingin and Perth.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for pale deep sand (soil group 444). Sand >80cm deep with white, grey or pale yellow topsoil.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for gravelly pale deep sand (soil group 443). Topsoil consists of white, grey or pale yellow sand with ironstone gravel in the middle layer and gravel, rock or clay from 80cm de
Soil pit showing the profile of pale deep sand (soil group 444) in the Darling range region.
Soil pit showing the profile of gravelly pale deep sand (soil group 443) in the Darling range region.

Summary

Table 1 Pale deep sands summary
Occurrence Darling Range (7%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

443 Gravelly pale deep sand

444  Pale deep sand
Also known as Gravelly sand, Sand over gravel, Gutless grey sand, Gritty sand.
Australian soil classifications

443 - Sesqio-Nodular Tenosol, Ferric Bleached-Orthic Tenosol,

444 - Bleached –Orthic Tenosol, Aeric Podosol.

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Pale grey,  white or pale yellow in colour.
  • Mainly acid (443, 444) pH.

Subsoil

  • Subsoil dominated by sand to depths of at least 80cm.
  • Subsoils often highly leached, poor nutrient status and retention.
  • Less than 20% Ironstone gravel maybe present below 15cm depth in a band at least 20cm thick (443).
  • Deep subsoils (> 80cm) may contain clay, ferricrete or coffee rock (443, 444).

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 pale deep sands

Soil Group of WA

443 Pale gravelly deep sand*

443 Pale gravelly deep sand*

444 Pale deep sand*

444 Pale 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 Severe Severe Severe Severe
Aggregate stability

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

n/a

n/a

 Major
Hard setting and crusting

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Water repellence Minor

n/a

 Severe

n/a
Low plant available water Major Major Severe Severe
Water-logging 

(seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Wind erosion 

(seasonal)

 Minor

n/a

 Major

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 - 443 Pale gravelly deep sand site ID includes KLC 2007, BMA 0352, MRA 1189.
  • Soil Group of WA - 444 Pale deep sand site ID includes: SWL 0280, SWL 0279, SWL 0266, KLC 0150 SWL 0257, KLC 0554, SWL 0169.

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

Soils

Topics

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