Soil Hydrology Overview

This data reflects both the quality of the soil structure, the amount of water available for growth and the ease by which these soils are able to be irrigated. The data indicates how much water is available for vigorous tree and fruit growth, as well as how much water is available for tree maintenance and survival. This data can also be used to better schedule irrigation, and compare irrigation requirements between soils.

Soil structure and macroporosity at this site is remarkable. The surface A1 horizon has an exceptionally low bulk density at just 0.89 g/cm³ (similar to potting mix), an extremely high saturated hydraulic conductivity at 655 mm/hr, and very high drainable porosity at 23.3 %. The subsoils are also exceptionally well structured, The B21 horizon which constitutes the majority of the soil profile has a bulk density of 1.06 g/cm³, and 15.8 % drainable porosity whereas the ideal drainable porosity for a topsoil is around 10 % which few soils achieve. The plant available moisture content of the A1 and B21 horizons respectively are 15.7 % or 15.7 mm and 70.8 mm, whilst the readily available soil moisture is only 8.7 % or 8.7 mm and 7.3 % and 32.8 mm. Soil colour and the exceptional drainable porosity in the B21 and B22 indicates the whole soil profile is well drained providing an ideal environment for root growth throughout the soil.