Soil Management

This soil has exceptionally good soil moisture retention properties, despite exceptionally low soil carbon throughout the soil profile. The two A horizons alone hold 157 mm plant available soil moisture and 109.5 mm readily available soil moisture. This soil has ability to go for long periods without rainfall or irrigation before moisture stress should occur. In relation to irrigation, the refill point for the A1 horizon is between 14% (50 kPa) to 10 % (100 kPa) soil moisture. This soil does however have some chemical limitations. The CEC in the A1 and A2c horizons indicates the topsoil has poor ability to retain and supply nutrients. Leaching of applied nutrients through the soil profile is likely. Management is encouraged to apply fertilizer in small frequent amounts. The soil carbon level is low. Management is encouraged to increase return of plant residues including grass clippings, living mulches or compost to improve carbon cycling in the topsoil. 

The A21 and B horizons are moderately to strongly sodic which promotes hardsetting (and thus the high bulk density), loss of soil structure, dispersion of clays, tunnel erosion, blockage of subsurface drains and reduces availability of calcium and magnesium. As the A1 and A2c horizons are slightly alkaline (which may be due to lime application ?) further application of lime will not be effective, as such application of gypsum is recommended. Subsurface drainage is not recommended in these soils due to subsoil sodicity. 

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