Summary
Occurrence | Central North (8%) |
---|---|
Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA) | 542 Calcareous loamy earth |
Also known as | Kopi soil, Morrell soil, Lake Bank soil |
Australian soil classifications | Calcic Calcarosol, Calcic Red Sodosol |
Distinguishing features
Topsoil
- Loamy textured surface grading to clay.
- May appear “powdery” when dry but can set hard following rain.
- Topsoil be water repellent when dry.
- Alkaline pH throughout.
Subsoil
- Loamy to clay subsoils with limestone.
- Limestone/calcrete nodules common.
- Highly alkaline and saline in the lower subsoil.
Constraints
The following data has been derived from actual site samples taken. These results are recorded in Excel spreadsheets.
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 |
Soil Group of WA | 542 Calcareous loamy earth* | 542 Calcareous loamy earth* |
Constraints | Topsoil | Subsoil |
Acidity and aluminium toxicity | n/a | n/a |
Salinity | n/a | Major |
Sodicity and alkalinity | n/a | Major |
Boron toxicity | n/a | Minor |
Poor nutrient retention | n/a | n/a |
Aggregate stability | Severe | Severe |
Compaction and hard layers | n/a | n/a |
Hard setting and crusting | Major | n/a |
Water repellence | n/a | n/a |
Low plant available water | n/a | Minor |
n/a | n/a | |
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 - 542 Calcareous loamy earth site identifications (ID's) includes: COR 0181, COR 0180, MDN 0327, MDN 0328, MRA 0503, MRA 0504, MRA 0505, FFS 0050, FFS 0069, MRA 0188.
Further information
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.