Chromosols

Chromosols display strong texture contrast between loamy surface (A) horizons and clayey subsoil (B) horizons. They are also characterised by having a pH (in water) of 5.5 or greater (i.e. they are not strongly acid like Kurosols). Bleached subsurface (A2) horizons are common above the clay subsoil. Subsoils are often brightly coloured (red, brown, yellow, grey) and mottled. The soils of this order are among the most widespread soils used for agriculture in Australia, particularly those with red subsoils.

The colour suborder refers to the dominant colour class in the major part of the upper 0.2 m of the B2 horizon (or the major part of the entire B2 horizon if it is less than 0.2 m thick) e.g. brown.