MySoil: Shallow loams (Mullewa to Morawa)

Loams over rock, hardpan or cemented layer at less than 80 centimetres (cm).

Broad scale map (1:250 000) of the Mullewa to Morawa Agzone showing the distribution of shallow loams over rock. Distribution is scattered from Mullewa to Wubin, with Mullewa showing 50–100% shallow loams and Morawa showing both 25–50% and 50–100%.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for red shallow loam. Red loam over rock or hardpan at <80cm.
Soil pit showing the profile of red shallow loam in the Mullewa to Morawa region.

Summary

Table 1 Shallow loams summary
Occurrence Mullewa to Morawa (23%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

521 Calcareous shallow loam

522 Red shallow loam (Jam soil, York Gum country/soil)

523 Red/brown hardpan shallow loam
Also known as Jam soil, York gum country/soil
Australian soil classifications

Mesotrophic Red Kandosol

521 Paralithic or Lithic Calcic Calcarosol

522 Red Kandosol

523 Duric Red Kandosol

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Brown or red loams.
  • Stones may be present on the surface.
  • Acidic pH (522, 523) to neutral (521) pH.

Subsoil

  • Loam to loamy sand grading to clays at depth above hardpan/rock.
  • Neutral pH (522, 523) to alkaline (521) pH.
  • Rock, hardpan or cemented layer within 80cm.
  • Calcrete or limestone maybe present at depth (521).

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 shallow loams

Soil Group of WA

522 Red shallow loam*

522 Red shallow loam*
Constraints Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity Major Major
Salinity n/a

n/a
Sodicity and alkalinity

n/a

n/a
Boron toxicity

n/a

n/a
Poor nutrient retention Major Major
Aggregate stability

n/a

n/a
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

n/a
Hard setting and crusting Minor

n/a
Water repellence

n/a

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

n/a

Minor
Wind erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a
Water erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

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

  • Soil Group of WA - 522 Red shallow loams site ID includes: GTN 1418, GTN 1410, GTN 1415.

Further information

Agriculture Western Australia (1997) Soil Information Sheets for the Northern Agricultural Areas. Miscellaneous Publication 13/97. 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.

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.

Rogers, LG (1996) Geraldton Region Land Resource Survey. Land Resources Series No. 13. Agriculture Western Australia.

Stoneman, TC (1990) An Introduction to the Soils of the Geraldton Advisory District. Bulletin 4181. 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.

See also

MySoil

Further information

Soils

Topics

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 9:17am