Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray ... · Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and...

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Jeanene Thacker, John Hornbuckle, Evan Christen, Warren Muirhead and Thomas-M. Stein

CSIRO Land and Water Science Report 24/08CRC for Irrigation Futures Technical Report No. 03/08 January 2008

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Cover Photograph Description: Saline soil in irrigated vineyard of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Photographer: Dr John Hornbuckle, CSIRO Land and Water, Griffith. © 2008 CSIRO

ISSN: 1883-4563

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page i

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties

Jeanene Thacker CSIRO undergraduate student, CSIRO Land and Water, Griffith

John Hornbuckle and Evan Christen CSIRO Land and Water, CRC for Irrigation Futures, Griffith

Warren Muirhead CSIRO Land and Water (retired), ASSSI Member, Griffith

Thomas-Manuel Stein Freelance Scientist Agricultural Water Management, Griffith

CSIRO Land and Water Science Report 24/08

CRC for Irrigation Futures Technical Report No. 03/08 January 2008

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page ii

Acknowledgements The Australian Society of Soil Science Inc Riverina Branch is appreciatively acknowledged for their funding of Ms Jeanene Thacker's studentship. Funding provided through the CRC for Irrigation Futures (CRC IF), the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) and the Soil and Water initiative is also gratefully acknowledged. We would also like to thank Mr Geoff Beecher, NSW Agriculture, Leeton for his assistance in providing his bibliography of soils of the Riverina. Also Mr Lindsay Evans, NSW Agriculture, Deniliquin for his assistance with grouping of soil types and the provision of data for the Murray Valley irrigation areas. We also would like to thank Mr David Smith, Dr Sanmugam Prathapar, Dr Liz Humphreys and Dr Philip Charlesworth of CSIRO Land and Water, Griffith for providing us with soils data.

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page iii

Reports in this series This is a series of three reports on the soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray irrigation areas. The first report describes how one can access all the available soils maps via Google EarthTM software. The second and third reports provide collated data on soil properties:

1. Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia I: A user guide to accessing and identifying soils using digital soil maps and Google EarthTM

2. Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia

II: Physical properties 3. Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia

III: Chemical properties These reports are available from the web at: http://www.clw.csiro.au/publications/science/index.html

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page iv

Foreword The aim of this exercise has been to make the soils information for the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray irrigation areas easily available to anyone with an interest, whether farmer, agency staff or academic. This has been undertaken in two parts;

1. Digitising of the soil maps for the regions and making them easily available by using the Google EarthTM geographic information software.

2. Collating all the available physical and chemical data on the soils. There are over 90 individual soil types mapped in these regions. Often the differences between soils are relatively minor. From a practical viewpoint this large number of soil types is confusing and reduces the accessibility of soils information for land managers and academics alike. To reduce this complexity we have categorised all these soils into six groups. This greatly simplifies understanding the soils of these regions and allows the relatively sparse available data on each soil type to be drawn together to provide a larger data set for each group and hence greater understanding of the soil properties. This soils data collation work was started in 1999 with the report “Physical properties of soils in the Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas”. With the support of the Riverina Branch of the Australian Soil Science Society for Jeanene Thacker’s studentship this report was updated to include soils of the Murray irrigation area and a report on the chemical properties of the soils was drafted. Now with the support of the CRC for Irrigation Futures we have been able to finalise these reports and prepare the digitised maps and Google EarthTM access to them. We dedicate this series of reports to all the soils scientists past and present who have worked in these regions, each adding their contribution to the greater understanding, and to the Riverina Branch of the Australian Soil Science Society which has kept the critical mission of understanding and managing our soils alive. Dr. Evan Christen and Dr John Hornbuckle Tools for irrigation profitability and longevity project CRC for Irrigation Futures

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Executive summary There are over 90 different soil types mapped in the Murrumbidgee (MIA), Coleambally (CIA) and Murray Valley irrigation areas. These soils have different properties that are important for the design and establishment of irrigation and farming systems and also for managing and sustaining existing farming systems. In the past 30 years there have been over 80 studies into the chemical properties of these soils. These properties are important to manage and utilise the soils to their full extent. The results of these studies have been documented in published and unpublished forms, which have been difficult to access easily and quickly, so there was a need to bring all this information together into a single document. The data from these studies has been compiled in this report that should prove useful to farmers, farming advisors, engineers and researchers with an interest in the soils of the region. The soil properties, which were included in the review, were chosen by discussion with likely users of the review e.g. surveyors, resource mangers, farming advisors and researchers. The soil properties that were included are: Electrical conductivity and total soluble salts (salinity), exchangeable sodium percent (sodicity), pH, CaCO3, exchangeable cations and organic carbon. The report breaks down the large number of individual soil types that occur in the irrigation areas into five broad soil groups that are:

1. Clays, which are further divided into self mulching and hard setting clays 2. Red-brown earths, which are further divided into four subplasticity classes 3. Transitional red brown earths 4. Sands over clay 5. Deep sandy soils

The soils that occur in each group are listed in the report. Data relating the soils in each group have been listed and statistical information provided on the data for each soil group. The information has also been presented in tables and graphs to show the change in the soil property with depth. Having gathered and analysed all the data for a particular soil group a typical set of values for each soil property was established. In some cases there was very little or no data for a particular soil property and thus a typical value could not be determined. These typical values are intended to give readers an indication of the values that might be expected for soils in that group. These values are not statistically derived but are the authors’ interpretation of all the data available.

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Table of contents 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 2. Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 2 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................... 2

3.1. Data collection and selection................................................................................................... 2 3.2. Limitations in this analysis....................................................................................................... 3 3.3. Physiography and soil mapping of the Riverine Plain ............................................................. 3 3.4. Description and classification of the soils................................................................................ 4

3.4.1. Clays (e.g. Wunnamurra or Riverina clay) .......................................................................... 5 3.4.1.1. Self-mulching clays (e.g. Wunnamurra clay)............................................................... 5 3.4.1.2. Hard setting clays (e.g. Riverina clay)......................................................................... 5

3.4.2. Red-brown earths (e.g. Hanwood loam) ............................................................................. 5 3.4.3. Transitional red-brown earths (e.g. Willbriggie clay loam) .................................................. 7 3.4.4. Sands over clay (e.g. Danberry sandy loam) ...................................................................... 7 3.4.5. Deep sands (e.g. Sandmount sand).................................................................................... 8

3.5. Soil types sorted into soil groups............................................................................................. 8 3.5.1. Clays.................................................................................................................................... 8

3.5.1.1. Self mulching clays...................................................................................................... 8 3.5.1.2. Hard setting clays ........................................................................................................ 8

3.5.2. Red brown earths ................................................................................................................ 9 3.5.2.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes......................................................................................... 9 3.5.2.2. Soils of the lower hillslopes ......................................................................................... 9 3.5.2.3. Soils of the plains ...................................................................................................... 10

3.5.2.3.1. Soils of the plains - Normal group ......................................................................... 10 3.5.2.3.2. Soils of the plains - Murray Valley soil types (not split into subplastic class)........ 11

3.5.3. Transitional red brown earths............................................................................................ 11 3.5.4. Sands over clay ................................................................................................................. 12 3.5.5. Deep sandy soils ............................................................................................................... 12

3.6. Data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 13 3.6.1. Electrical conductivity and total soluble salts .................................................................... 13 3.6.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage.................................................................................... 13 3.6.3. pH and calcium carbonate................................................................................................. 13 3.6.4. Organic carbon .................................................................................................................. 13 3.6.5. Exchangeable cations ....................................................................................................... 14

4. Self mulching clays ...................................................................................................... 14 4.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas .................................................................. 14

4.1.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 14 4.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity ................................................................................................ 14 4.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage ............................................................................ 15 4.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride ................................................................................. 17

4.1.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 19 4.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate......................................................................................... 19 4.1.2.2. Organic carbon .......................................................................................................... 21 4.1.2.3. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................... 23

4.2. Self mulching clays of the Murray Valley irrigation areas...................................................... 26 4.2.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 26

4.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage.................................. 26 4.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride percentage.............................................................. 27

4.2.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 28 4.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate......................................................................................... 28 4.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................... 29

4.3. Summary of self mulching clays............................................................................................ 30 4.3.1. Electrical conductivity ........................................................................................................ 30 4.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage.................................................................................... 30 4.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate................................................................................................. 31

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4.3.4. Exchangeable cations ....................................................................................................... 31 5. Hard setting clays......................................................................................................... 31

5.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas .................................................................. 31 5.1.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 31

5.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity ................................................................................................ 31 5.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage ............................................................................ 32 5.1.1.3. Chloride ..................................................................................................................... 32


5.2. Murray Valley hard setting clays ........................................................................................... 38 5.2.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 38

5.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage.................................. 38 5.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride ................................................................................. 39


5.3. Summary of hard setting clays .............................................................................................. 51 5.3.1. Electrical conductivity ........................................................................................................ 51 5.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage.................................................................................... 51 5.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate................................................................................................. 51 5.3.4. Exchangeable cations ....................................................................................................... 51

6. Transitional red brown earths ..................................................................................... 52 6.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas .................................................................. 52

6.1.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 52 6.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity ................................................................................................ 52 6.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage ............................................................................ 53 6.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride ................................................................................. 55

6.1.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 57 6.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate......................................................................................... 57 6.1.2.2. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................... 61

6.2. Murray Valley transitional red brown earths.......................................................................... 69 6.2.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 69

6.2.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride ................................................................................. 69 6.2.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 71

6.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate......................................................................................... 71 6.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................... 75

6.3. Summary of transitional red brown earths............................................................................. 79 6.3.1. Electrical conductivity ........................................................................................................ 79 6.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage.................................................................................... 79 6.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate................................................................................................. 79 6.3.4. Exchangeable cations ....................................................................................................... 79

7. Red brown earths ......................................................................................................... 80 7.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes................................................................................................... 80 7.2. Soils of the plains - subplastic subsoil group ........................................................................ 80 7.3. Soils of the plains - plastic group........................................................................................... 80

7.3.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 80 7.3.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 81

7.4. Red brown earths with subplastic properties ........................................................................ 81 7.4.1. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 81


7.5. Plastic red brown earths in the MIA and CIA ........................................................................ 84 7.5.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 84

7.5.1.1. Total soluble salts and sodium chloride .................................................................... 84

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7.6. Murray Valley irrigation areas................................................................................................ 90 7.6.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................... 90

7.6.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride ................................................................................. 90 7.6.2. Chemical properties........................................................................................................... 94


7.7. Summary of red brown earth soils....................................................................................... 104 7.7.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes............................................................................................. 104 7.7.2. Soils of the plains - subplastic subsoil group .................................................................. 104 7.7.3. Soils of the plains - plastic group..................................................................................... 104

7.7.3.1. Electrical conductivity .............................................................................................. 104 7.7.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage .......................................................................... 104 7.7.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate....................................................................................... 105 7.7.3.4. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................. 105

8. Sands over clay .......................................................................................................... 105 8.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas ................................................................ 105

8.1.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................. 105 8.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity .............................................................................................. 105 8.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage .......................................................................... 105 8.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride ............................................................................... 106

8.1.2. Chemical properties......................................................................................................... 107 8.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate....................................................................................... 107 8.1.2.2. Organic carbon ........................................................................................................ 108 8.1.2.3. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................. 108

8.2. Murray Valley irrigation areas.............................................................................................. 111 8.2.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................. 111

8.2.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride ............................................................................... 111 8.2.2. Chemical properties......................................................................................................... 113

8.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate....................................................................................... 113 8.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................. 114

8.3. Summary of sand over clay soils......................................................................................... 116 8.3.1. Electrical conductivities ................................................................................................... 116 8.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage.................................................................................. 116 8.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate............................................................................................... 116 8.3.4. Exchangeable cations ..................................................................................................... 117

9. Deep sandy soils ........................................................................................................ 117 9.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas ................................................................ 117 9.2. Murray Valley irrigation areas.............................................................................................. 117

9.2.1. Soil salinity and sodicity .................................................................................................. 117 9.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage................................ 117 9.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride ............................................................................... 117

9.2.2. Chemical properties......................................................................................................... 119 9.2.2.1. Exchangeable cations ............................................................................................. 119 9.2.2.2. pH and calcium carbonate....................................................................................... 122

9.3. Summary for deep sands .................................................................................................... 123 9.3.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage........................................ 123 9.3.2. pH and calcium carbonate............................................................................................... 123 9.3.3. Exchangeable cations ..................................................................................................... 123

10. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 124 Glossary ............................................................................................................................. 125 References and bibliography ........................................................................................... 126

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List of figures Figure 1-1: Location of the MIA, CIA and Murray Valley irrigation areas. ............................................. 1 Figure 3-1: Relationship of subplasticity to topography in the Bingar parna. SP(1), first degree

subplasticity; SP(11), second degree subplasticity; SP(111), third degree subplasticity; SP(111+), hardpan; NP, normal plasticity ..................................................... 7

Figure 4-1: Variation in electrical conductivity within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA. ................................................................................................... 15

Figure 4-2: Variation in ESP within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA.............................................................................................................................. 16

Figure 4-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA.............................................................................................................................. 20

Figure 4-4: Variation in CaCO3 within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 21

Figure 4-5: Variation in organic carbon within and between depths in self mulching soils in the MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 22

Figure 4-6: Change in exchangeable cations (average) with depth in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA. ........................................................................................................... 26

Figure 4-7: Distribution of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in self mulching clay soils in the Murray Valley. .......................................................................................... 27

Figure 4-8: Variation in pH within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 28

Figure 5-1: Variation in pH within and between depths in hard setting clays in the MIA and CIA..................................................................................................................................... 34

Figure 5-2: Change in average TSS (%) and Cl (%) with depth in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 41

Figure 5-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 44

Figure 5-4: Variation in calcium carbonate (%) within and between depths in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 44

Figure 5-5: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) with depth in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 51

Figure 6-1: Variation in electrical conductivity (dS/m) within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.......................................................................... 53

Figure 6-2: Variation in ESP within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ............................................................................................................... 54

Figure 6-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA ................................................................................................................ 59

Figure 6-4: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ................................................................................................... 60

Figure 6-5: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100/g) with depth in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA................................................................................ 68

Figure 6-6: Change in average total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley...................................................... 71

Figure 6-7: Variation in pH within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley............................................................................................................... 74

Figure 6-8: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 74

Figure 6-9: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................. 79

Figure 7-1: Variation in average pH within and between depths in sub plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ................................................................................................... 81

Figure 7-2: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in subplastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ............................................................................... 83

Figure 7-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 86

Figure 7-4: Average exchangeable cation variation with depth........................................................... 90

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page x

Figure 7-5: Change in average total soluble salts (%)and chloride (%) with depth in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ........................................................................................ 94

Figure 7-6: Variation in pH within and between depths in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 98

Figure 7-7: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 98

Figure 7-8: Changes in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ...................................................................................... 104

Figure 8-1: Variation of ESP (%) within and between depths in sands over clay soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................................... 106

Figure 8-2: Variation of pH within and between depths in sand over clay soils in the MIA and CIA................................................................................................................................... 107

Figure 8-3: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA............................................................................................................................ 110

Figure 8-4: Change in average total soluble salts (%)and chloride (%) with depth in sand over clay soils in the Murray Valley. ........................................................................................ 112

Figure 8-5: Variation in pH within and between depths in sands over clay in the Murray Valley. ..... 114 Figure 8-6: Changes in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in sand over clay

soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................................... 116 Figure 9-1: Change in average total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in deep

sand soils in the Murray Valley........................................................................................ 118 Figure 9-2: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) with depth in the Murray

Valley. .............................................................................................................................. 121 Figure 9-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in deep sand soils in the Murray Valley. ..... 123

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List of tables Table 3-1: Descriptions of the soil categories....................................................................................... 5 Table 3-2: Clays - Self mulching clays ................................................................................................. 8 Table 3-3: Clays - Hard setting clays.................................................................................................... 9 Table 3-4: Red brown earths - Soils of the upper hillslopes................................................................. 9 Table 3-5: Red brown earths - Soils of the lower hillslopes ................................................................. 9 Table 3-6: Red brown earths - Soils of the plains............................................................................... 10 Table 3-7: Red brown earths - Soils of the plains - Normal group ..................................................... 10 Table 3-8: Soils of the plains - Murray Valley soil types (not split into subplastic class).................... 11 Table 3-9: Transitional red brown earths............................................................................................ 11 Table 3-10: Sands over clay ................................................................................................................. 12 Table 3-11: Deep sandy soils ............................................................................................................... 12 Table 4-1: Measurement of EC (dS/m) in self-mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA ..................... 14 Table 4-2: Measurement of ESP (%) in self-mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA ........................ 15 Table 4-3: Statistical analysis of the ESP (%) values in self mulching clay soils in the MIA

and CIA.............................................................................................................................. 16 Table 4-4: Measurement of total soluble salts (%) and sodium chloride (%) in self mulching

clay soils in the MIA and CIA............................................................................................. 17 Table 4-5: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA........... 18 Table 4-6: PART 1 - Measurement of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in self mulching clay

soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................... 19 Table 4-7: PART 2 - Measurement of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in self mulching clay

soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................... 20 Table 4-8: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and

CIA..................................................................................................................................... 21 Table 4-9: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 23 Table 4-10: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 24 Table 4-11: PART 3 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 25 Table 4-12: Measurements of EC (dS/m) and ESP (%) in self mulching clay soils in the Murray

Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 26 Table 4-13: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in self mulching clay

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 27 Table 4-14: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in self mulching clay soils in the Murray

Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 28 Table 4-15: PART 1 - Exchangeable cations for self mulching clays in the Murray Valley.................. 29 Table 4-16: PART 2 - Exchangeable cations for self mulching clays in the Murray Valley.................. 30 Table 5-1: Summary of electrical conductivity (dS/m) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and

CIA..................................................................................................................................... 31 Table 5-2: Summary of chloride (mg/kg) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA . ................... 32 Table 5-3: Measurements pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA. ........... 33 Table 5-4: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in hard setting clays in the MIA and CIA............... 34 Table 5-5: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 35 Table 5-6: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 36 Table 5-7: PART 3 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the

MIA and CIA. ..................................................................................................................... 37 Table 5-8: Measurements of EC (dS/m) and ESP (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray

Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 38 Table 5-9: PART 1 - Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in hard setting clay soils in the

Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 39 Table 5-10: PART 2 - Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in hard setting clay soils in the

Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 40

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Table 5-11: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 42

Table 5-12: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley..................................................................................................................... 43

Table 5-13: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 45

Table 5-14: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 45






Table 6-1: Change in average electrical conductivity (dS/m) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................... 52

Table 6-2: Statistical analysis of electrical conductivity (dS/m) measurements in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.......................................................................... 53

Table 6-3: Measurements of ESP (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA..................................................................................................................................... 54

Table 6-4: Statistical analysis of ESP measurements in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ............................................................................................................... 55

Table 6-5: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA........................................................................................... 55

Table 6-6: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.............................................................................................................................. 56

Table 6-7: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................... 57



Table 6-10: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ............................................................................... 61







Table 6-17: PART 1 - Total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) variation with depth............................ 69 Table 6-18: PART 2 - Total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) variation with depth............................ 70 Table 6-19: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 71 Table 6-20: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 72 Table 6-21: PART 3 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 73

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Table 6-22: PART 1 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................................................ 75



Table 6-25: PART 4 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley................................................................................................................................. 78

Table 7-1: Summary of electrical conductivity (dS/m) of plastic red brown earth soils of the plains in the MIA and CIA.................................................................................................. 80

Table 7-2: Measurements of ESP (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA............... 80 Table 7-3: Measurements of pH in sub plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. ................ 81 Table 7-4: Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in sub plastic red brown earth

soils in the MIA and CIA. ................................................................................................... 82 Table 7-5: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and NaCl (%) in plastic red brown earth

soils in the MIA and CIA. .................................................................................................. 84 Table 7-6: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and

CIA..................................................................................................................................... 84 Table 7-7: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA

and CIA.............................................................................................................................. 85 Table 7-8: Measurement of organic carbon (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and

CIA..................................................................................................................................... 86 Table 7-9: PART 1 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown

earth soils in the MIA and CIA........................................................................................... 87 Table 7-10: PART 2 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown

earth soils in the MIA and CIA........................................................................................... 88 Table 7-11: PART 3 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown

earth soils in the MIA and CIA........................................................................................... 89 Table 7-12: PART 1 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in red brown

earth soils in the Murray Valley. ........................................................................................ 90 Table 7-13: PART 2 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in red brown



earth soils in the Murray Valley. ........................................................................................ 93 Table 7-16: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 94 Table 7-17: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in red brown earth



soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 97 Table 7-20: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ................................................................................................. 99 Table 7-21: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in red brown earth

soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................................... 100 Table 7-22: PART 3 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in red brown earth



soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................................... 103 Table 8-1: Measurements of electrical conductivity (dS/m) in sands over clay soils in the MIA

and CIA............................................................................................................................ 105 Table 8-2: Measurements of ESP (%) in sands over clay soils in the MIA and CIA. ....................... 106

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page xiv

Table 8-3: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and NaCl (%) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA. ................................................................................................................... 106

Table 8-4: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA.............. 107 Table 8-5: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA. ............. 108 Table 8-6: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clay

soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................. 108 Table 8-7: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clay

soils in the MIA and CIA .................................................................................................. 109 Table 8-8: Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in sand over clay soils in the Murray Valley. ..... 111 Table 8-9: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in sand over clay soils in the Murray Valley........ 113 Table 8-10: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in

the Murray Valley). .......................................................................................................... 114 Table 8-11: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in

the Murray Valley). .......................................................................................................... 115 Table 9-1: Measurements of EC (dS/m) an exchangeable sodium percentage (%) in deep

sand soils in the Murray Valley........................................................................................ 117 Table 9-2: PART 1 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in deep sand

soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................................... 117 Table 9-3: PART 2 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in deep sand

soils in the Murray Valley. ............................................................................................... 118 Table 9-4: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) for deep sands in

the Murray Valley............................................................................................................. 119 Table 9-5: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) for deep sands in

the Murray Valley............................................................................................................. 120 Table 9-6: Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in deep sands in the Murray

Valley............................................................................................................................... 122

Soils of the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray Irrigation Areas of Australia III: Chemical properties Page 1

1. Introduction The Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas (MIA and CIA respectively) lie in the northeast of the Riverine Plain, whilst the Murray Valley Irrigation Area is in the southern part of the Riverine Plain. The MIA and CIA are irrigated from water diverted from the Murrumbidgee River. The Murray Valley Irrigation Area is subdivided into the Berriquin, Denimien, Cadell, Deniboota and Wakool irrigation areas. These areas are supplied by water from the Murray River. A locality map is shown in Figure 1-1.

Figure 1-1: Location of the MIA, CIA and Murray Valley irrigation areas. A wide range of soils exist on the Riverine Plain and knowledge of their chemical properties is essential to manage and utilise these soils in a sustainable way. Irrigation enterprises on the Riverine Plain are reliant on production from crops and pastures for income, hence knowledge of the chemical properties of soils is important, not only in design and establishment of irrigation systems, but also for managing and sustaining the farming systems. This review has been undertaken to bring together soil chemical property data for the irrigation areas of the Riverine Plain, previously documented in published and unpublished forms into a single publication and to establish, where possible, general ranges of soil chemical properties within soil groups which have similar characteristics.

km 0 200 100

km 0 100 50


Information on soil properties can be difficult and time consuming to locate, in many cases the information being located in unpublished reports and technical memoranda that are difficult to access. Therefore, there existed a need to update this information and compile it into a more useable format.

2. Objectives The objectives of this review were to:

1. Determine what data was available for soil properties in the regions. 2. Compile the available data. 3. Determine characteristic values for properties of the major soil groups.

3. Methodology

3.1. Data collection and selection In determining available data relating to soil chemical properties in the MIA and CIA, initial searches were conducted on an unpublished soil database constructed by Mr. Geoff Beecher at NSW Agriculture, Yanco. The database contained 691 references to soil studies undertaken in the NSW Riverina. Key search words included each selected soil property along with associated terms such as Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, Coleambally Irrigation Area, soil properties, soil characteristics, soil groups and relevant authors along with other associated terms. Selected papers were then analysed and those that documented soil chemical properties were collected. Searches of the CSIRO Structured Information Manager (SIM) database were also made using the keywords mentioned above. For the Murray Valley irrigation areas an extensive library search was conducted to locate all available soil surveys undertaken in the region. A search of the SIM database and recent equivalent was undertaken in a similar manner to the search undertaken for the MIA and CIA. The results from the searches of SIM and Mr Beecher’s database were then compiled and manual searches made on the bibliography of each paper for further references. Reports and papers were chosen based on the suitability of the material for inclusion in the review. This was determined on a number of factors: - Accurate identification of the soil type, so that the data could be associated with a

particular soil group. In some cases information on particular soil properties were found however this information was not linked to a particular soil type.

- Papers with soil properties over a range of soil types. - Papers with a large number of soil properties for one particular soil type. - The purpose of the study was considered, studies which were undertaken for the sole

purpose of determining soil properties, were chosen in preference to those, which measured limited soil properties to support other research.

- The methodology used to measure particular soil properties was also considered when reviewing data and emphasis was placed on collecting reports which were comparable on a property basis. For example only electrical conductivities of 1:5 solution extracts were collected.


- The relative importance of the soil e.g. area covered and economic importance, was considered.

3.2. Limitations in this analysis This report is an attempt at summarising and unifying results published by various authors over a time span of more than 65 years. The objective is to give an overview of the soil chemical properties of soils in the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray irrigation areas and making them more widely available to the professional community. However, the reader should consider the following when considering the data published: - The report draws very generalised conclusions, often based on summaries of similar but

not identical analytical procedures. - Analytical and measuring methods have been further refined over the years leading to

different precisions in the data published. - Exact sampling depths varied in the data published and values where interpolated or

those best representing the classified depth range were used in the tables. The unifying process also included some reprocessing, conversion, summarising, averaging and rounding of the data which was not published in that form by the authors at that time.

- The reader should consult the original papers for additional and more specific details such as exact depth of sampling as well as how the soil analyses were carried out.

The reader is advised and needs to be aware that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation.

3.3. Physiography and soil mapping of the Riverine Plain The soils of the Riverina, and particularly those mapped in the in the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray irrigation areas, have developed primarily on fluviatile material. These deposits can extend to a depth of at least 100 meters with lacustrine deposits beneath them (Pels 1968). The fluviatile sediments were deposited by streams that were described by Prunster and Butler (1950) as “prior streams”- a repetitive sequence of depositing streams that are now non-functional. The prior streams in the Coleambally area were active more than 35,000 years ago. Although there is considerable variation in the form, size, and elevation of prior streams, a similar range of soils are associated with them. Deep sands and sands over clays are found in or near the elevated stream beds that often have been changed by wind erosion. Duplex soils are found on the levee with red-brown earths (A horizon greater that 10cm) located on the near levee and Transitional red brown earths (A horizon less than 10 cm) on the far levee. Clay has been deposited on the flood plain to form self-mulching and hard-setting clays. Where the Riverine Plain meets the hills in the north, the soils have formed by weathering of the parent rock to form red brown earths. Also, small areas of mallee soils derived from aeolian material encroach on the soils of the Riverine Plain. In the field, the properties of soils such as depth of the A horizon, can gradually change over distance due to changes in parent material, relief and drainage. These soils are often recognised as a Soil Series such as the Hanwood series that includes Hanwood loam and Hanwood sandy loam soil types (Taylor and Hooper 1938). The soil types discussed in this


report represent profiles that are easily recognised but often with arbitrary distinctions between them, e.g. depth of topsoil in a duplex profile. Soil surveyors when mapping soils in the Riverine Plain described the soil types present. A soil type is a narrow grouping of soils which have soil horizons in similar in differentiating characteristics and arrangement in the soil profile (van Dijk and Talsma 1964). For detailed surveys, these were often mapped separately (e.g. Taylor and Hooper 1938). For broader scale surveys, a number of soil types were grouped into Soil Associations for mapping purposes. The Soil Association is named after the dominant soil type (e.g. Willbriggie Association van Dijk and Talsma 1964). The association can contain quite different soil types that are intermixed and would be impossible to map individually in a broad scale survey. For example, the Gilgai formation is comprised of soils classified as grey and brown soils of heavy texture (puff component) and transitional red brown earths (shelf component). Gilgais found on the Riverine Plain are usually irregularly distributed small mounds and sub-circular depressions (puff component) varying in size and spacing with a vertical interval usually less than 30 cm. The hard-setting shelf component surrounds the puff and can represent 10% to 90% of the landscape (van Dijk and Talsma 1964). Soil surveys to map the soils in the region commenced in the mid 1930’s and were continued for the next 30 years. This was generally before extensive soil cultivation took place that would mix the shallow topsoil with the subsoil. More recently, extensive land-forming to create desirable slopes in fields would remove up to 30 cm topsoil and deposit it elsewhere. Consequently, these soils now would bear little resemblance to the undisturbed soils as originally mapped and subsequently sampled for chemical analysis.

3.4. Description and classification of the soils The above investigation of the physiography of the area and review of the soil surveys by van Dijk (1958), Stannard (1970), Taylor and Hooper (1938) and van Dijk (1961), revealed that although there were at least 94 different soil types mapped within the Riverine Plain, the soils could be grouped together based on morphological similarity and recurrent patterns of associations. The soils of the area were found to fit into the following five broad soil groups, which were then subdivided on prominent soil characteristics. These five groups were:

1. Clays 2. Red brown earths 3. Transitional red brown earths 4. Sands over clay 5. Deep sands

Typical properties of each of the soil groups are shown in Table 3-1.


Table 3-1: Descriptions of the soil categories.

Feature Self-mulching clays

Hard setting clays

Red-brown earths

Transitional red brown earths

Sands over Clay

Deep sands

Topsoil Clay Loam to clay Loam to sandy loam

Loam to clay loam

Sand to loam Sand

Depth 5-15cm 5cm or less 10-25cm Less than 10cm 25-100cm 100cm or more

Subsoil Heavy clay with lime

Heavy clay Heavy clay Heavy clay Cemented clayey sand above a mottled medium clay

Mottled clayey sand grading to light clay

Deep subsoil (1-2m)

Medium clay with concretionary lime

Medium clay, often with crystalline gypsum

Sandy clay, often micaceous

Medium clay, often with crystalline gypsum

Medium clay sometimes becoming more sandy with depth

Light clay

Example Yooroobla clay Riverina clay Cobram loam Willbriggie loam Danberry sand Sandmount sand

Australian Soil Classification (Isbell 1998)

Vertosols Sodosols Chromosols Chromosols Chromosols Rudosols

Source: Muirhead (1998)

3.4.1. Clays (e.g. Wunnamurra or Riverina clay)

3.4.1.1. Self-mulching clays (e.g. Wunnamurra clay) These crumbly soils show virtually no change in texture from the surface downward with approximately 60-70% clay throughout. The fine aggregation of the surface soil gives the “self-mulching” property. In some instances the surface soil may be somewhat crusted but usually the crust is easily broken up. All soil profiles have in common very aggregated and dense subsoil. Van Dijk and Talsma (1964) found that lime percentages for 10 self-mulching clay soils were found to vary between 0.5% and 2%, occasionally reaching 3.5%, with slightly higher figures for the deeper sub soil. Table 3-1 shows a typical profile of a self-mulching clay.

3.4.1.2. Hard setting clays (e.g. Riverina clay) These soils have a shallow (1-5 cm) loam to light clay topsoil over a heavy clay subsoil Evans and Hughes (1999). Lime concentrations are only encountered in small quantities below 0.45 m. These soils tend to be sodic, with sodicity increasing with depth.

3.4.2. Red-brown earths (e.g. Hanwood loam) This group comprises soils with a texture contrast profile, with a loamy or sandy surface soil more than 0.1 m deep, changing abruptly to clay subsoil. The surface soil may have a weakly developed bleached zone in the lower part, while the subsoil is relatively dense to well structured and may be subplastic. A typical profile is shown in Table 3-1. An important characteristic of these soils is a property called subplasticity. Subplastic clays were described by Butler (1976) who stated: ‘These clays have the consistence properties of gravels, sands or loams; indeed the farmers refer to them as gravels and in their influence on drainage they seem to behave as gravels. During the manipulation of field texturing their apparent clayiness increases progressively until, at the end of five minutes it fully


corroborates the mechanical analysis figures for heavy clay’. The property of subplasticity when highly developed imparts to the particular soil high mechanical and chemical stability and hence great resistance to puddling or dispersion. The implication is that abnormal cementation of particles occurs (McIntyre 1976). Butler (1976) found that subplastic soils seem to be associated with aeolian clay (parna) mantles of regional extent, but not all exposures of parna are subplastic: those on the flatter and poorly drained sites are fully plastic. He also found a variation in the subplasticity with the age of the parna. There are three successive parna mantles and the stratigraphically older ones expressed a higher degree of subplasticity than the younger ones (Butler 1976). In the MIA subplasticity in the soil types is found to be strongly related to success in irrigated horticulture (Talyor and Hooper 1938). Therefore a red-brown earth, which has subplastic properties, is markedly different to a red-brown earth, which is plastic, the chemical and physical properties differ greatly. In order to group soils, which have similar physical and chemical properties a greater degree of differentiation between red-brown earths was required. Subdivision of subplasticity was done by van Dijk (1958) who defined four degrees:

1. First degree sub plasticity (SP1): The material works up by one textural grade during kneading for a few minutes, e.g. from loam to clay loam, or from light to medium clay.

2. Second degree sub plasticity (SP11): The material works up by two or more textural grades, e.g. from loam to medium clay.

3. Third degree subplasticity (SP111): The material feels like grit or coarse sand and can be puddled by hand only with great difficulty to show its real texture. e.g. medium clay

4. A fourth degree of subplasticity has also been noted for highly sub plastic materials SP111+.

These degrees of subplasticity have been used in this report to further differentiate between red-brown earth soil types. A high degree of subplasticity occurs only with good internal drainage. The same material may exhibit normal plastic properties or subplasticity of any degree depending on the drainage conditions. Therefore soils on hillslopes have a higher degree of subplasticity than similar soils of the plains. Subplastic soils of a lower degree may develop on the plains due to smaller micro relief or a thinner underlying parna layer which is particularly permeable and allows freer drainage of the upper soil layers, however red-brown earths of the plains rarely exceed a subplasticity degree greater than SP(1), van Dijk (1958). The relationship between the degree of subplasticity and drainage conditions is shown in Figure 3-1. This shows the relationship between subplasticity and topography in the Bingar parna layer, which underlies the Tabbita parna layer. Therefore three subgroups of red-brown earths were established using subplasticity degrees as defined by van Dijk (1958). These sub groups were soils of the hillslopes, soils of the lower hillslopes and soils of the plains. The soils of the plains have further been divided into those with a lighter subsoil, which may be slightly subplastic and those with normal subsoil which are not subplastic. Subplastic soils of the upper hillslopes have subplasticity degrees of SP(111) and SP(111+), while subplastic soils of the lower hillslopes have subplasticity degrees between SP(11) and SP(111). Plastic soils of the plains, which have a lighter subsoil, correspond to a subplasticity degree of SP(1), while the normal subsoil subgroup are fully plastic.


The clay to clay-loam soils of the Murray Valley irrigation areas show slight subplastic properties on texturing (pers. Com. L, Evans 2004).

Figure 3-1: Relationship of subplasticity to topography in the Bingar parna. SP(1), first

degree subplasticity; SP(11), second degree subplasticity; SP(111), third degree subplasticity; SP(111+), hardpan; NP, normal plasticity Source: van Dijk (1958)

3.4.3. Transitional red-brown earths (e.g. Willbriggie clay loam) Transitional red brown earths are soils between clays and red-brown earths. The depth of the surface horizon of this group is less than 0.1 m. The distribution of lime in the subsoil is similar to that of red brown earths and there is sometimes gypsum in the deep subsoil, particularly in the west of the CIA, van Dijk and Talsma (1964). The transitional red brown earths are the dominant soils of the plains, occurring in the highest proportion in the western and south western sections of the CIA.

3.4.4. Sands over clay (e.g. Danberry sandy loam) The soils of this group have a marked texture contrast between light surface soils and heavy subsoils. The surface soils are quite variable in texture but are mostly sandy and the subsoils are generally very dense clays. The depth of the A horizon is variable from 0.13-0.6 m, with 0.2-0.3 m being the most common. Some surface horizons have a pronounced bleached zone in the lower part.


The characteristic feature of this group is the dense, coarsely structured clay subsoil. Under dry conditions this tough clay may be broken by wide vertical cracks into columns with a rounded top and these columns are frequently capped with a thin bleached sandy-silty layer which is very brittle and powdery when dry, van Dijk and Talsma (1964).

3.4.5. Deep sands (e.g. Sandmount sand) The surface sand of these profiles is usually more than 0.9 m deep and the colour is relatively uniform brown or pale grey-brown. A few centimetres at the surface are somewhat darker owing to the accumulation of organic matter and the brown colour of the subsoil usually becomes more yellow with depth. The subsoil may contain several clay bands or a single sandy clay layer, there are sometimes slight amounts of lime and there may be bleached and cemented zones. Some profiles are undifferentiated sand to a depth of 3-4.5 m and more. The majority of the deep sands are of aeolian origin and occur as high and low dunes.

3.5. Soil types sorted into soil groups All the soils of the CIA and MIA as surveyed by van Dijk (1958), Stannard (1970), Taylor and Hooper (1938) and van Dijk (1961) have been placed in the following groups. The horticultural soils are shown with an ‘H’ and the codes following some soils are the Northcote codes (Northcote, 1971) to which the soils have been mapped by various authors. Soils of the Murray Valley as mapped by various authors have been included in the groups.

3.5.1. Clays

3.5.1.1. Self mulching clays Self-mulching clays have a uniform clay texture and lime throughout the profile. The surface clay breaks down to small aggregates under wetting and drying. Table 3-2: Clays - Self mulching clays

Soil type Description/Classification* Author(s)

Coleambally clay Ug5.24, Ug5.28 Stannard 1970 Gogeldrie clay Blackmore et al. 1956 Gundaline clay Stannard 1970 Niemur clay Smith 1945 Stream bed soil type C Toganmain clay Wunnamurra clay Ug5.24, Ug5.28, Ug5.34 Churchward and Flint 1956 Yooroobla clay Ug5.34 Churchward and Flint 1956

* e.g. Principal profile forms (Northcote codes)

3.5.1.2. Hard setting clays Hard-setting clays have a dense, poorly structured surface that contains slightly less clay than the subsoil. Lime concentrations are not encountered until depths below 0.45 m.


Table 3-3: Clays - Hard setting clays


Billabong clay Smith 1945 Colimo clay Crommelin clay Stannard 1970 Goolgumbla clay Stannard 1970 Moulamien clay Smith et al. 1943 Noorong clay loam Riverina clay Ug5.6, Ug5.5 Smith 1945 Thyra clay Thyra clay loam Wandook clay Smith et al. 1943


3.5.2. Red brown earths Red brown earths have a texture contrast profile with a sandy loam to light clay loam topsoil between 0.1 and 0.4m thick and overlying a clay subsoil.

3.5.2.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes The subsoil of these soils have subplasticity classes SP(111) and SP(111+) and are characterised by the clay subsoil feeling like grit or coarse sand and are only puddled by hand with great difficulty. Table 3-4: Red brown earths - Soils of the upper hillslopes


Ballingall loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Lakeview loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Merungle loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Tharbogang loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Wyangan loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938

* e.g. Principal profile forms (Northcote codes); H - horticultural soils

3.5.2.2. Soils of the lower hillslopes The clay subsoils of these soils have subplasticity classes SP(11) and SP(111) and the material works up by 2 or more textural grades e.g. from a loam to a medium clay. Table 3-5: Red brown earths - Soils of the lower hillslopes


Bilbul clay loam and loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Griffith clay loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Hanwood sandy loam and loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Jondaryan loam and clay loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Stanbridge sandy loam and loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Yenda sandy loam and loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Type 9 H Taylor and Hooper 1938



3.5.2.3. Soils of the plains The subsoil of these soils have first degree subplasticity (SP1) with the soil working up one textural unit during kneading for a few minutes e.g. from a loam to a clay loam. Table 3-6: Red brown earths - Soils of the plains


Bilbul loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Fivebough sandy loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Griffith loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Mirrool loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Willimbong loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Yoogali loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Thulablin clay loam Churchward and Flint 1956


3.5.2.3.1. Soils of the plains - Normal group

These are plastic soils of the plains and show no change in texture with extended kneading. Table 3-7: Red brown earths - Soils of the plains - Normal group


Beelbangera clay loam Taylor and Hooper 1938 Camarooka clay loam and sandy loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Leeton clay loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Types 8,12,13 H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Birganbigil clay loam and loam H Smith 1945 Birganbigil sandy loam Dr1.13, Dr1.33, Dr2.23 Smith 1945 Bundure loam Smith 1945 Cobram loam Cobram sandy loam Dr2.23 Butler et al. 1942 Danberry clay loam Churchward 1956 Finley loam Johnston 1950 Marah sandy loam Johnston 1952 Moira loam Butler et al. 1942 Mundiwa sandy loam Smith 1945 Thulabin loam Churchward and Flint 1956 Thulabin sandy loam Dr2.23 Churchward and Flint 1956 Tuppal clay loam and loam Smith 1945 Willbriggie loam Dr1.33 Churchward and Flint 1956



3.5.2.3.2. Soils of the plains - Murray Valley soil types (not split into subplastic class)

Table 3-8: Soils of the plains - Murray Valley soil types (not split into subplastic class)


Beremegad sandy loam Bunnaloo loam Burraboi gravely sandy loam Cobram loam Butler et al. 1942 Deniboota loam and sandy loam Johnston 1953 Finley loam Johnston and Butler 1946 Naringaningalook loam Butler et al. 1942 Stream bed soil type B Tulla clay loam Wakool sandy loam Wakool loam Womboota loam


3.5.3. Transitional red brown earths Transitional Red Brown Earth soils have a shallow topsoil 0.05 to 0.1m deep and more clayey textured and deeper subsoil than Red Brown Earths. Table 3-9: Transitional red brown earths

Soil Description/Classification* Author(s)

Barooga loam Smith 1945 Beremegad loam Coree clay loam and loam Churchward and Flint 1956 Marah loam Dr2.13 Johnston 1952 Marah clay loam Dr2.13, Dr2.33 Johnston 1952 Morago clay and clay loam Churchward and Flint 1956 Muckatah clay loam Butler et al. 1942 Mundiwa clay loam and loam Smith 1945 Tilga sandy clay loam Tomara loam Tulla clay loam Tuppal clay Tuppal clay loam Dd1.33, Dy2.3 Willbriggie clay Dr2 Churchward and Flint 1956 Willbriggie clay loam Dr1.13, Dr2.13, Db1.1, Db1.13 Churchward and Flint 1956 Woperana sand Woperana sandy loam Wongal clay loam Worobyan sandy loam Yalgadoori clay loam Yalgadoori loam Yallakool clay loam Yamma loam Stannard 1970 Yarraman clay loam Zara loam Churchward 1958



3.5.4. Sands over clay These are Solodised Solonetz soils with a A horizon soil of 0.2 to 1.0 m deep and usually with a distinct bleached or cemented layer above the clay subsoil. Table 3-10: Sands over clay


Boona sandy loam and loamy sand Stannard 1970 Conargo sandy loam Churchward 1958 Dalwilly sandy loam Churchward 1958 Danberry sand and sandy loam Churchward 1956 Danberry loamy sand Db2.33 Churchward 1956 Finley loam and sandy loam Johnston and Butler 1946 Hyandra sandy loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Katunga gravely loam Butler et al. 1942 Mycotha sand Stannard 1970 Pullega loamy sand and sand Stannard 1970 Purdanima sand Purdanima sandy loam Tenningerie sand and sandy loam Taylor and Hooper 1938 Thulabin sand Churchward and Flint 1956 Tubbo sand Stannard 1970 Types 7,10,14 H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Wamoon sand and sandy loam Taylor and Hooper 1938 Wetuppa sand Wetuppa sandy loam Whymoul sand and loamy sand Churchward 1956 Yambil sandy loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Yandera loam and sandy loam H Taylor and Hooper 1938


3.5.5. Deep sandy soils These soils are deep sands to at least 1.0m with no textural difference in the profile. Table 3-11: Deep sandy soils


Banna sand H Taylor and Hooper 1938 Banandera sand Stannard 1970 Boona sand Stannard 1970 Burraboi gravelly sandy loam Smith et al. 1943 Eulo sand Stannard 1970 Jurambula sand Stannard 1970 Sandmount sand Butler et al. 1942 Stream bed soil type A Utona sand Stannard 1970 Yarangery sand Stannard 1970



3.6. Data analysis

3.6.1. Electrical conductivity and total soluble salts Measured electrical conductivities are used to assess a soils possible salinity problems. Measurements of electrical conductivities have been restricted to those measured in 1:5 soil:water suspensions and are reported in mS/cm, equivalent to dS/m. It should be remembered however that soil salinity can change rapidly. Total soluble salts were expressed as a percentage of oven dry soil passing through a 2mm sieve. Loveday et al. (1978) and Loveday et al. (1983) determined chlorides using a 1:5 soil:water suspension and presented the results as either sodium chloride (%) or chloride (mg/kg).

3.6.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) is used to assess sodicity, which has a great influence on the stability of the soil and hence hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture retention. Exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was not commonly reported in the literature, however in one particular report by Loveday et al. (1978) a number of measurements of exchangeable cations were undertaken. From these measurements exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was calculated from the following formula given in Dent and Young (1987).

( )CEC

NaeexchangablESP 100⋅=

where CEC is the cation exchange capacity and all measurements are in milliequivalents per 100g.

3.6.3. pH and calcium carbonate Knowledge of soil pH is important for the management of optimum plant growth. As the pH changes, nutrient availability also changes. Plants vary in their response to pH but a standard range for soil pH is between 5.5 and 8.5 in water. pH data in this report was measured in a 1:5 soil water solution as described by Piper (1950). Data on calcium carbonate was reported as a percentage of oven dry sample for material passing through a 2mm sieve. It was determined using the manometric method of Martin and Reeve (1953).

3.6.4. Organic carbon Data on organic carbon has been included in this report as a historical reference. The organic carbon content of a soil will vary greatly with management practices of the soil. Higher organic carbon can increase soil stability and nutrient availability.


3.6.5. Exchangeable cations Exchangeable cations of were extracted with ammonium chloride. Sodium and potassium were analysed by flame photometer and calcium and magnesium were determined by E.D.T.A titration. Soils with CaCO3 greater than 0.3% were extracted with alcoholic N ammonium chloride at pH 8.5 (Tucker 1954). The chemical data from the various reports grouped according to the soil classification described earlier.

4. Self mulching clays

4.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas

4.1.1. Soil salinity and sodicity

4.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity Loveday et al. (1978) measured electrical conductivity for Wunnamurra, Yooroobla, Coleambally and Gogeldrie clays on seven sites in the MIA. Variation in electrical conductivity with depth is shown in Table 4-1 and Figure 4-1. Table 4-1: Measurement of EC (dS/m) in self-mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA

Soil type Depth (m) Author

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.4 0.4-0.6 0.6-0.8

Wunnamurra or Gogeldrie clay** 0.14 0.11 0.11 0.14 0.13 0.24 Loveday et al. 1978 Wunnamurra clay** 0.23 0.23 0.30 0.36 0.53 1.03 Loveday et al. 1978 Wunnamurra clay** 0.12 0.11 0.12 0.18 0.23 0.30 Loveday et al. 1978 Wunnamurra clay** 0.18 0.23 0.29 0.36 0.35 0.29 Loveday et al. 1978 Yooroobla clay** 0.21 0.18 0.23 0.27 0.32 0.36 Loveday et al. 1978 Coleambally clay** 0.11 0.08 0.08 0.11 0.11 0.17 Loveday et al. 1978 Coleambally clay** 0.12 0.11 0.15 0.18 0.30 0.97 Loveday et al. 1978

** Average of 2


Figure 4-1: Variation in electrical conductivity within and between depths in self mulching

clay soils in the MIA and CIA.

4.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages (ESP) of self mulching clays have been calculated from exchangeable cation data recorded by Loveday et al. (1966) and Loveday et al. (1978). Loveday et al. (1966) determined exchangeable cations at profile depths of 0-0.025, 0.025-0.1 and 0.2-0.3 m on five sites of Yooroobla and Wunnamurra clays located in the CIA. ESP ranged from 0.08-0.6 % in the 0-0.025 m layer, 0.06-3.96 % in the 0.025-0.1 m layer and 0.48-3.96 % in the 0.2-0.3 m layer. Loveday et al. (1978) also determined exchangeable cations for Wunnamurra, Yooroobla, Gogeldrie and Coleambally clays at seven sites in the MIA. ESP was calculated and ranged from 0.055-6.6 % in the 0-0.1 m layer and 1.03-15.6 % in the 0.2-0.3 m layer. ESP for the various soil types is shown in Table 4-2. Variation of ESP with depth for all the above mentioned studies is shown in Figure 4-2 and statistical analysis of all studies in Table 4-3. Table 4-2: Measurement of ESP (%) in self-mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA

Soil type Depth (m) Author 0.025 0.1 0.3

Yooroobla clay 0.48 0.80 1.90 (average 3) Loveday 1966 Wunnamurra clay 0.26 0.92 2.51 (average 2) Loveday 1966 Wunnamurra clay 2.94 10.16 (average 3) Loveday et al. 1978 Gogeldrie clay 0.59 1.55 Loveday et al. 1978 Yooroobla clay 4.40 3.72 Loveday et al. 1978 Coleambally clay 2.24 4.73 (average 2) Loveday et al. 1978

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8

EC (dS/m)D

epth

(m)


Figure 4-2: Variation in ESP within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA

and CIA. Table 4-3: Statistical analysis of the ESP (%) values in self mulching clay soils in the MIA

and CIA. Depth

(m) Average

value Lowest value

Highest value

SD COV Mdn GM No. of samples

0.025 0.35 0.080 0.6 0.244 70 0.46 0.25 5 0.100 1.62 0.055 6.6 1.745 108 1.06 0.86 33 0.300 3.92 0.480 15.6 3.828 98 2.36 2.72 35

SD - Standard deviation, Mdn - Median, COV - Coefficient of variation, GM - Geometric mean.

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0 5 10 15 20 25

ESPD

epth

(m)


4.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 4-4: Measurement of total soluble salts (%) and sodium chloride (%) in self mulching

clay soils in the MIA and CIA Soil type Depth (m) Author

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Wunnamurra clay NaCl 0.007 0.01 Loveday et al. 1966 TSS 0.04 0.06 Yooroobla clay NaCl 0.007 0.01 TSS 0.05 0.07 Yooroobla clay NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.06 0.06 Wunnamurra clay NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.04 0.03 Yooroobla clay NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.06 0.06

Yooroobla clay NaCl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.07 Stace et al. 1968 TSS Yooroobla clay NaCl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.012 0.03 0.07 TSS

Summary data

Average NaCl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.08 TSS 0.05 0.06 Lowest NaCl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.08 TSS 0.04 0.04 Highest NaCl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.08 TSS 0.06 0.07 Std. dev. NaCl TSS 0.01 0.01 No. of samples NaCl 6 2 7 2 2 2 2 TSS 5 5


Table 4-5: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Wunnamurra clay 20 20 20 25 30 Loveday et al. 1978 Wunnamurra clay 35 20 25 80 188 Coleambally clay 30 25 20 20 20 Wunnamurra clay 43 25 20 35 43 Yooroobla clay 30 35 25 30 37 Coleambally clay 35 30 25 106 145 Wunnamurra clay 35 20 28 24 2519

Unnamed* (Benerembah) 80 150 170 Loveday et al. 1983 Unnamed* (Willbriggie) 120 110 160 Unnamed* (Benerembah) 180 170 230 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) 102 330 1000 Unnamed* (Morundah) 40 40 80 Unnamed* (Leeton)

60 70 70

Summary data

Average 62 25 79 156 426 Lowest 20 20 20 20 20 Highest 180 35 330 1000 2519 Std. dev. 47 6 92 262 925 No. of samples 13 7 13 13 7

* Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided.


4.1.2. Chemical properties

4.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 4-6: PART 1 - Measurement of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in self mulching clay

soils in the MIA and CIA


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1.0 1.0-1.5 1.5-2.0

Wunnamurra clay pH 7.3 8.6 Loveday et al.1966. CaCO3 0.76 Yooroobla clay pH 7.8 8.6 CaCO3 1.09 1.44 Yooroobla clay pH 8.2 8.6 CaCO3 0.91 1.59 Wunnamurra clay pH 7.0 8.1 CaCO3 0.25 Yooroobla clay pH 8.2 8.7 CaCO3 0.8 1.87

Wunnamurra clay pH 7.3 7.7 7.9 8.1 8.8 Loveday et al. 1978 CaCO3 1.14 Wunnamurra clay pH 8.0 8.05 8.7 8.8 9.0 CaCO3 0.44 1.21 Coleambally clay pH 6.2 7.15 7.6 7.6 8.2 CaCO3 Wunnamurra clay pH 6.5 7.4 7.8 8.1 8.8 CaCO3 0.34 Yooroobla clay pH 8.0 8.25 8.6 8.5 9.2 CaCO3 0.67 1.45 Coleambally clay pH 7.0 7.7 8.1 8.6 8.5 CaCO3 0.2 Wunnamurra clay pH 7.6 8.55 8.9 8.9 9.2 CaCO3 1.20

Yooroobla clay pH 8.3 8.5 8.7 9 9.1 9.2 9.1 Stace et al. 1968 CaCO3 3.2 3.9 3.8 4.7 5.2 3.5 2.7 Yooroobla clay pH 6.4 7 7.0 7.3 8.7 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 0.77 3.5 2.7

Unnamed* (Benerembah) pH 7.8 8.3 8.9 8.9 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0.05 0.07 Unnamed* (Willbriggie) pH 7.9 8.5 8.7 8.9 CaCO3 0.78 2.7 3.1 Unnamed* (Benerembah) pH 7.7 8.5 8.7 8.6 CaCO3 0.07 0.46 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) pH 6.5 7.7 8.2 7.9 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Morundah) pH 7.7 8.3 8.4 8.3 CaCO3 0.23 Unnamed* (Leeton) pH 7.2 7.1 7.8 8.5 CaCO3



Table 4-7: PART 2 - Measurement of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA


0.0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1.0 1.0-1.5 1.5-2.0

Summary data

Average pH 7.0 7.5 7.8 8.1 8.5 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 0.89 3.90 1.17 3.90 2.99 3.50 2.70 Lowest pH 6.2 7.0 7.0 7.3 7.9 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 0.05 0.07 3.1 0.77 3.5 2.7 Highest pH 8.3 8.6 8.9 9.0 9.2 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 3.2 3.8 4.7 5.2 3.5 2.7 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.94 1.01 1.13 3.13 No. of samples pH 20 9 20 15 15 2 2 CaCO3 9 1 16 2 2 2 2

pH

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0 2 4 6 8 10

pH

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 4-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the MIA

and CIA.


0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Calcium carbonate (%)D

epth

(m)

Figure 4-4: Variation in CaCO3 within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the

MIA and CIA.

4.1.2.2. Organic carbon Table 4-8: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and

CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1.0 1.0-1.5 1.5-2.0

Wunnamurra clay 0.73 Loveday et al. 1966 Yooroobla clay ** 0.76 Yooroobla clay 0.57 Wunnamurra clay 0.74 Yooroobla clay 0.74

Yooroobla clay 1.68 1 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.34 0.2 Stace et al. 1968 Yooroobla clay 1.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.34 0.2

Unnamed* (Benerembah) 1.12 Loveday et al. 1983 Unnamed* (Willbriggie) 1.02 Unnamed* (Benerembah) 1.45 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) 1.19 Unnamed* (Morundah) 0.6 Unnamed* (Leeton) 1.4

Summary data

Average 1.06 0.90 0.8 0.65 0.5 0.34 0.2 Lowest 0.57 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.5 0.34 0.2 Highest 1.8 1 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.34 0.2 Std. dev. 0.42 0.14 0.8 0.07 No. of samples 13 2 2 2 2 2 2

* Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided. ** Average of four.


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

Organic carbon (%)D

epth

(m)

Figure 4-5: Variation in organic carbon within and between depths in self mulching soils in

the MIA and CIA.


4.1.2.3. Exchangeable cations Table 4-9: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the

MIA and CIA.

Soil type me/100g Depth (m) Author

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Wunnamurra -Yooroobla Total cations 39.81 37.27 Loveday et al.1966 ** clay intergrade Ca 22.83 25.05

Mg 9.71 10.35 K 1.69 0.90 Na 0.45 0.98 H 5.13 Yooroobla clay Total cations 33.1 32.84 Ca 20.51 20.08 Mg 8.84 11.18 K 0.86 0.74 Na 0.21 0.85 H 2.67 Yooroobla clay Total cations 33.78 33.4 Ca 23.23 21.57 Mg 8.13 10.7 K 0.70 0.63 Na 0.15 0.49 H 1.57 Wunnamurra clay Total cations 39.43 38.73 Ca 19.53 19.65 Mg 12.58 14.25 K 2.01 1.25 Na 0.31 0.91 H 5.01 2.67 Yooroobla clay Total cations 33.74 33.4 Ca 23.7 21.93 Mg 7.58 10.25 K 1.11 0.68 Na 0.08 0.54 H 1.27

Wunnamurra clay Total cations 32.4 28.2 Loveday et al. 1978 *** Ca 21.5 17.05 Mg 5.6 7.75 K 1.65 0.8 Na 0.2 0.45 H 3.45 2.15 Wunnamurra clay Total cations 31.15 26.2 Ca 16.05 6.6 Mg 10.55 14.9 K 1.3 0.9 Na 1.35 3.8 H 1.9 0 Wunnamurra clay Total cations 30.6 36.9 Ca 15.65 20.35 Mg 7.05 11.75 K 1.3 0.85 Na 0.35 1.75 H 6.25 2.2 Yooroobla clay Total cations 32.45 29.4 Ca 16.65 16.85 Mg 11.05 10.5 K 1 0.95 Na 1.45 1.1 H 2.3 0

Continuation in next table ...

** Average of four *** Average of two


Table 4-10: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Coleambally clay Total cations 29.35 33.2 Loveday et al. 1978 *** Ca 12.4 16.1 Mg 9.45 12.6 K 1.35 0.95 Na 1.3 2.7 H 4.85 0.85 Wunnamurra clay Total cations 35.85 31.75 Ca 20.25 12.3 Mg 9.7 14.95 K 1.9 0.95 Na 1.15 3.55 H 2.85 0

Yooroobla clay Total cations Ca 38.8 40 40 38 28 Stace et al. 1968 Mg 11.8 15 17 17 17.6 K 1.74 1 0.9 0.9 1.06 Na 0.28 0.6 1.2 1.2 2.9 H Yooroobla clay Total cations 17 20 20 21 Ca 9.5 12 12 12 21 Mg 5 6.5 6.5 6.95 10.62 K 1.6 1 1 0.65 0.82 Na 0.3 0.8 0.8 1.4 2.1 H

Unnamed* (Benerembah) Total cations 25 35 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 14 12 Mg 5.7 13 K 1.9 1.3 Na 1 3.4 H Unnamed* (Willbriggie) Total cations 33 34 31 Ca 22 19 15 Mg 7.1 12 16 K 1.7 1.1 0 Na 0.33 1.8 2.6 H Unnamed* (Benerembah) Total cations 37 36 Ca 18 20 Mg 11 11 K 1.7 0.88 Na 1.5 3.4 H Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) Total cations 24.6 38 38 Ca 7.34 15 13 Mg 6.1 13 15 K 1.88 1.4 1.3 Na 1.18 4 5.3 H Unnamed* (Morundah) Total cations 38 39 37 Ca 26 25 23 Mg 9 10 12 K 1.3 1 1.2 Na 0.54 1.4 2.5 H Unnamed* (Leeton) Total cations 29 32 Ca 18 17 Mg 5.4 7.7 K 1.4 0.77 Na 0.23 0.7 H

Continuation in next table ...

* Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided. *** Average of two


Table 4-11: PART 3 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in self mulching clay soils in the MIA and CIA.

Soil type me/100g Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Summary data

Average Total cations 31.96 20.00 33.07 31.75 Ca 19.26 26.00 18.82 20.20 24.50 Mg 8.49 10.75 11.55 13.39 14.11 K 1.48 1.00 0.94 0.81 0.94 Na 0.65 0.70 1.78 2.60 2.50 H 3.39 1.12 Lowest Total cations 17 20 21 0 Ca 7.34 12 6.6 12 21 Mg 5 6.5 6.5 6.95 10.62 K 0.7 1 0.63 0 0.82 Na 0.08 0.6 0.45 1.2 2.1 H 1.27 0 Highest Total cations 39.81 39 38 0 Ca 38.8 40 40 38 28 Mg 12.58 15 17 17 17.6 K 2.01 1 1.4 1.3 1.06 Na 1.5 0.8 4 5.3 2.9 H 6.25 2.67 0 0 Std. dev. Total cations 5.68 4.82 7.80 Ca 6.81 19.80 6.94 10.85 4.95 Mg 2.33 6.01 2.67 4.06 4.94 K 0.37 0.00 0.20 0.52 0.17 Na 0.51 0.14 1.26 1.64 0.57 H 1.67 1.19 No. of samples Total cations 18 1 18 4 0 Ca 19 2 19 5 2 Mg 19 2 19 5 2 K 19 2 19 5 2 Na 19 2 19 5 2

H 11 0 7 0 0


0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Exchangeable cations (me/100g)D

epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 4-6: Change in exchangeable cations (average) with depth in self mulching clay soils

in the MIA and CIA.

4.2. Self mulching clays of the Murray Valley irrigation areas


4.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage Table 4-12: Measurements of EC (dS/m) and ESP (%) in self mulching clay soils in the Murray

Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

"Unnamed" EC 0.16-0.19 0.23-0.6 0.48-2.0 Shields & Baker 2002 ESP 4-3 8-14 19-39

Wunnamurra clay EC 0.07 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 ESP 2.7


4.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride percentage Table 4-13: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in self mulching clay

soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Wunnamurra clay TSS 0.06 0.13 0.17 0.23 0.27 Churchward 1956 Cl 0.01 0.04 0.06 0.09 0.11 Wunnamurra clay TSS 0.07 0.30 0.53 0.78 0.86

Cl 0.02 0.16 0.29 0.45 0.49

Stream bed soil type C TSS 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.13 0.13 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.05

Summary data

Average TSS 0.05 0.16 0.25 0.50 0.42 0.13 Cl 0.01 0.07 0.12 0.27 0.21 0.05 Lowest TSS 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.23 0.13 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.09 0.03 Highest TSS 0.07 0.30 0.53 0.78 0.86 Cl 0.02 0.16 0.29 0.45 0.49 Std. dev. TSS 0.01 0.13 0.25 0.39 0.39 Cl 0.01 0.08 0.15 0.25 0.24 No. of samples TSS 3 3 3 2 3 1 Cl 3 3 3 2 3 1

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60

TSS and chloride (%)

Dep

th (c

m)

TSS%Cl%

Figure 4-7: Distribution of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in self mulching

clay soils in the Murray Valley.



4.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 4-14: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in self mulching clay soils in the Murray

Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Wunnamurra clay pH 9.3 9.6 9.6 9.6 9.6 Churchward 1956 CaCO3 Wunnamurra clay pH 8.8 8.8 9 8.8 8.8

CaCO3

Stream bed soil type C pH 8.6 8.6 8.6 9.5 9.7 9.4 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 0.15 0.15 0.15 1.13 0.67 0.05

pH 6.8 8.55 8.6 Shields & Baker 2002 CaCO3

Unnamed* (Jerilderie) pH 7.1 8 8.1 8.2 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0 0.05

Summary data

Average pH 7.3 8.8 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 CaCO3 0.07 0.15 0.1 1.13 0.67 0.05 Lowest pH 6.8 8.6 8.6 8.8 8.55 8.6 CaCO3 0 0.05 Highest pH 9.3 9.6 9.6 9.6 9.7 9.4 CaCO3 0.15 0.15 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.11 0.07 No. of samples pH 5 3 4 4 5 2 CaCO3 2 1 2 1 1 1


0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

pH

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 4-8: Variation in pH within and between depths in self mulching clay soils in the

Murray Valley.


4.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations Table 4-15: PART 1 - Exchangeable cations for self mulching clays in the Murray Valley


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Stream bed soil type C Total cations 19.12 21 21 14 Johnston 1953 Ca 6.85 6.5 6.5 1.9 Mg 8.89 10.4 10.4 7.2 K 1.53 1.55 1.55 0.46

Na 1.85 2.54 2.54 4.46

Total cations Shields & Baker 2002 Ca 13 13 9 Mg 13 14 13 K 1.7-1.8 1 0.77-1.1

Na

Wunnamurra clay Total cations Humphreys & Barrs 1998 Ca 12.9 Mg 11.6 K 0.9

Na 0.99

Unnamed* (Jerilderie) Total cations Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 11 11 Mg 16 17 K 1.8 1.2

Na 2.2 5.7

Continuation in next table...



Table 4-16: PART 2 - Exchangeable cations for self mulching clays in the Murray Valley

Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Summary data

Average Total cations 19.12 21.00 21.00 14.00 Ca 10.94 8.75 6.50 13.00 5.45 Mg 12.37 13.70 10.40 14.00 10.10 K 1.50 1.38 1.55 1.00 0.68 Na 1.68 4.12 2.54 4.46 Lowest Total cations Ca 6.85 6.5 1.9 Mg 8.89 10.4 7.2 K 0.9 1.2 0.46 Na 0.99 2.54 4.46 Highest Total cations Ca 13 11 9 Mg 16 17 13 K 1.8 1.55 0.9 Na 2.2 5.7 4.46 Std. dev. Total cations Ca 2.88 3.18 5.02 Mg 2.96 4.67 4.10 K 0.41 0.25 0.31 Na 0.62 2.23 No. of samples Total cations 1 1 1 0 0 1 Ca 4 2 1 0 1 2 Mg 4 2 1 0 1 2 K 4 2 1 0 1 2

Na 3 2 1 0 0 1

4.3. Summary of self mulching clays

4.3.1. Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity of self mulching clays increased with depth from an average of 0.167 dS/m at 0.1 m to 0.724 dS/m at 0.8 m. Loveday et al. (1984) stated moderate salinity occurred at EC1:5 > 0.6 dS/m and high salinity EC1:5 > 1.2 dS/m, hence findings from the data collected indicated that self mulching clay profiles tended to be saline or moderately saline at depths to 0.8.

4.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages for self-mulching clays were mostly calculated from measurements of exchangeable cations measured by Loveday. Loveday (1974) indicated that soils can be thought of as sodic at ESP > 5-6. From the data collected average ESP ranged from 0.37 % in the 0.025 m layer to 4.1 % in the 0.2-0.3 m layer and indicated that self mulching clays are not particularly sodic at least to a depth of 0.3 m.


4.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate pH for self mulching clays tends to be neutral to alkaline in the topsoil, increasing to alkaline at depth. For soils in the MIA/CIA the average pH of the topsoil was 7.4 and increased to 9.1 at 1m. The self mulching clay soils in the Murray Valley tend to be more alkaline in the top soil with an average pH of 8.4 increasing to a pH of 9.1 at 1m. Data for percentage Calcium carbonate in these soils was limited and no general trends established.

4.3.4. Exchangeable cations For both the MIA/CIA and Murray Valley areas there is a general trend for Potassium concentrations to decrease with depth from 1.4 me/100g in the topsoil to 0.9 me/100g at 1 m. Also there is a general trend for Sodium concentrations to increase with depth. Sodium concentrations were higher in the Murray valley ranging from 1.68 me/100g in the topsoil to 4.46 me/100g at 1.5m, compared to MIA/CIA areas were the range was from 0.63 me/100g in the topsoil to 2.5 me/100g at 1m. Also in the MIA/CIA Magnesium tended to increase with depth, from 8.61 me/100g to 14 me/100g at 1m.

5. Hard setting clays



5.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity Table 5-1: Summary of electrical conductivity (dS/m) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA

and CIA.


0.075 0.100 0.150 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.450 0.600

Billabong clay 0.246 0.373 0.749 1.173 2.613 Sharma 1971 Riverina clay 0.135 0.135 0.18 0.255 0.315 1.49 Loveday et al. 1978


5.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage ESP was calculated to be 8.2 % in the 0-0.1 m layer and 12.45 % in the 0.2-0.3 m layer.

5.1.1.3. Chloride Table 5-2: Summary of chloride (mg/kg) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA .


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Riverina clay 20 55 75 130 63.1 Loveday et al. 1978 Riverina clay 75 90 130 140 76.45

Unnamed* (Benerembah) 120 140 410 720 Loveday et al. 1983 Unnamed* (Hay) 174 1400 2250 1900 Unnamed* (Hay) 94 1200 2700 3400 Unnamed* (Hay) 271 2600 2600 2800 Unnamed* (Hay) 864 4000 5200 4600 Unnamed* (Hay) 200 780 2000 3250 Unnamed* (Hay) 102 560 950 1400 Unnamed* (Urana) 100 420 825 2300 Unnamed* (Coleambally) 110 930 1700 2300

Summary data

Average 193 72 1112 1718 2073 Lowest 20 55 75 130 63 Highest 864 90 4000 5200 4600 Std. dev. 232 24 1206 1494 1431 No. of samples 11 2 11 11 11




5.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 5-3: Measurements pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Billabong clay pH 6.36 7.28 7.96 8.27 Sharma 1971 CaCO3

Riverina clay pH 7.3 7.6 7.9 8.2 Loveday et al.1978 CaCO3 0.03 Riverina clay pH 7.1 8 8.1 8.6 CaCO3 0.02

Billabong clay pH 6.7 7.2 7.4 7.4 7.2 7.1 7.2 Stace et al. 1968 CaCO3

Unnamed* (Benerembah)pH 7.6 8.3 8.5 7.3 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0 0.05 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 7.6 7.5 7.1 7.1 CaCO3 0 0 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 7.4 7.2 6.7 6.8 CaCO3 0 0 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 6.8 7.4 7.5 7.5 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 7.1 6.1 6 6.6 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 7 7 6.2 7.7 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 7.4 7 7.8 6.8 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Urana) pH 6.5 8.1 8.2 8 CaCO3 0.05 Unnamed* (Coleambally) pH 6.6 7.5 7.5 7 CaCO3

Billabong clay pH 6.8 Sedgley 1962 CaCO3

Summary data

Average pH 6.9 7.2 7.0 6.8 7.0 7.1 7.2 CaCO3 0 0.03 Lowest pH 6.4 6.8 6.1 6.0 6.6 CaCO3 0 0.00 Highest pH 7.6 8.0 8.3 8.6 8.0 CaCO3 0 0.05 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0 0.02 No. of samples pH 13 5 13 13 10 1 1 CaCO3 3 0 6 0 0 0 0



0.0

0.3

0.6

0.9

1.2

1.5

1.8

2.1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 5-1: Variation in pH within and between depths in hard setting clays in the MIA and

CIA.

5.1.2.2. Organic carbon Table 5-4: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in hard setting clays in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5

Unnamed* (Benerembah) 0.87 Loveday et al.1983 Unnamed* (Hay) 1 1.48 0.62 Unnamed* (Hay) 1.1 Unnamed* (Hay) 0.872 Unnamed* (Hay) 0.947 Unnamed* (Hay) 0.55 0.39 Unnamed* (Hay) 0.818 Unnamed* (Urana) 1.11 Unnamed* (Coleambally) 0.96 0.64

Summary Data

Average 0.91 0.84 0.62 Lowest 0.55 0.39 Highest 1.11 1.48 Std. dev. 0.17 0.57 No. of samples 9 3 1



5.1.2.3. Exchangeable cations Measurements of exchangeable cations have been undertaken by four authors including Loveday et al. (1978) for a Riverina clay located in the MIA. Table 5-5: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the

MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Billabong clay CEC 17.45 26.15 27.8 27.4 Sharma 1971 Ca 4.93 5.99 5.72 6.09 Mg 5.74 9.37 9.8 10.54 K 0.52 0.55 0.54 0.63 Na 1.39 3.67 4.37 5.15 H 4.85 6.55 7.37 4.97

Riverina clay Total cations 35.3 36.2 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 13.1 13.3 Mg 14.6 15 K 1.7 1.3 Na 2.5 4.4 H 3.4 2.2 Riverina clay Total cations 34.4 36.1 Ca 12.8 13.6 Mg 13.8 14.5 K 1.5 1.3 Na 3.2 4.6 H 3.1 2.1

Billabong clay Total cations 19.1 27 28 25.8 Stace et al. 1968 Ca 6.6 7.5 7.7 5.4 Mg 9.08 11 12 11.5 K 0.94 0.9 0.9 0.7 Na 2.48 5.8 7.6 5.3 H

unknown* (Benerembah) Total cations 27 31 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 10 12 Mg 10 12 K 1.1 0.78 Na 1.6 3.7 H Unnamed* (Hay) Total cations 27.6 30 29 Ca 6.24 6.7 6.5 Mg 11.72 13 14 K 1 0.75 0.9 Na 3.14 6.8 8.5 H unknown* (Hay) Total cations 29 34 Ca 5.7 5.2 Mg 10.28 14 K 1.84 0.87 Na 3.38 7.7 H




Table 5-6: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Unnamed* (Hay) Total cations 24 31 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 6.61 8.4 Mg 9.29 13 K 0.89 0.75 Na 2.74 7 H Unnamed* (Hay) Total cations 28.3 36 33 Ca 4.94 4.4 4.9 Mg 10.72 14 11 K 1.42 0.93 1.1 Na 5.11 8.9 11 H Unnamed* (Hay) Total cations 25 23 Ca 4.3 2.8 Mg 11.8 8.3 K 1 0.64 Na 3.9 8.1 H Unnamed* (Hay) Total cations 30.5 38 Ca 9.9 12 Mg 11.6 14 K 1.4 0.9 Na 2.13 5.2 H Unnamed* (Urana) Total cations 31 36 35 Ca 11 15 14 Mg 10 12 12 K 1.1 0.81 0.85 Na 2.3 7.7 7.7 H Unnamed* (Coleambally) Total cations 38 40 Ca 13 16 Mg 13 14 K 1.4 0.98 Na 2.9 6.5 H

Billabong clay Total cations 2.8 Sedgley 1962 Ca 0.62 Mg 0.99 K 0.37 Na H




Table 5-7: PART 3 - Measurements of exchangeable cations in hard setting clay soils in the MIA and CIA.

Soil type me/100g Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Summary data

Average Total** 28.20 21.74 33.01 31.10 25.75 Ca 8.39 6.53 9.24 7.87 5.38 Mg 10.89 8.34 12.80 11.89 11.50 K 1.22 0.65 0.89 0.87 0.65 Na 2.83 4.39 6.57 8.09 5.30 H 3.78 6.55 3.89 4.97 Lowest Total** 17.45 2.80 23.00 27.40 Ca 4.30 0.62 2.80 4.90 Mg 5.74 0.99 8.30 10.54 K 0.52 0.37 0.54 0.63 Na 1.39 3.67 4.37 5.15 H 3.10 2.10 Highest Total** 38.00 31.00 40.00 35.00 Ca 13.10 12.00 16.00 14.00 Mg 14.60 12.00 15.00 14.00 K 1.84 0.90 1.30 1.10 Na 5.11 5.80 8.90 11.00 H 4.85 7.37 Std. dev. Total** 5.96 12.80 5.03 3.51 Ca 3.33 4.69 4.52 4.14 Mg 2.29 5.02 2.00 1.54 K 0.37 0.24 0.23 0.19 Na 0.98 1.22 1.56 2.41 H 0.94 3.01 No. of samples Total** 13 4 12 4 1 Ca 13 4 12 4 1 Mg 13 4 12 4 1 K 13 4 12 4 1 Na 13 3 12 4 1 H 3 1 3 1 0

** Total is either of the measured cation exchange capacity or sum of the exchangeable cations.


5.2. Murray Valley hard setting clays


5.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage Table 5-8: Measurements of EC (dS/m) and ESP (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray

Valley.


0-0.1

Moulamien clay EC 0.11 Humphreys and Barr 1998 ESP 16.4 Moulamien clay EC 0.13 ESP 16.1 Noorong clay EC 0.06 ESP 8 Noorong clay EC 0.09 ESP 9.2 Colimo clay EC 0.12 ESP 13 Riverina clay EC 0.12 ESP 27.4 Riverina clay EC 0.18 ESP 15.3

Summary Data

Average EC 0.12 ESP 15.06 Lowest EC 0.06 ESP 8.00 Highest EC 0.18 ESP 27.40 Std. dev. EC 0.04 ESP 6.37 No. of samples EC 7 ESP 7


5.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 5-9: PART 1 - Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in hard setting clay soils in the

Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Wandook clay TSS 0.08 0.11 0.11 0.36 1.49 1.46 Smith 1945 Cl 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.15 0.16 0.17 Wandook clay TSS 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.19 0.31 0.50 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.08 0.08 Wandook clay TSS 0.09 0.12 0.32 0.32 0.78 Cl 0.12 0.12 0.06 Riverina clay TSS 0.08 0.09 0.09 0.17 0.54 0.75 0.63 Cl 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.13 0.16 0.13 Billabong clay TSS 0.12 0.13 0.13 0.33 0.81 Cl 0.10 0.17 Niemur clay TSS 0.09 0.09 0.10 0.10 0.10 Cl Riverina clay TSS 0.24 0.33 0.33 0.44 1.18 Cl 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.29

Niemur clay TSS 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.11 0.14 Chruchward 1956 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.07

Riverina clay TSS 0.04 0.08 0.18 0.39 1.26 0.93 Quirk & Blackmore1955 Cl 0.02 0.04 0.10 0.24 0.34 0.33 Billabong clay TSS 0.12 0.28 0.43 0.85 1.46 1.00 Cl 0.06 0.17 0.27 0.44 0.52 0.47

Thyra clay TSS 0.15 0.19 0.20 0.20 0.26 0.32 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.05 0.09 0.10 0.09 0.11 0.14 Thyra clay loam TSS 0.15 0.24 0.24 0.31 0.34 0.41 Cl 0.05 0.11 0.11 0.14 0.17 0.21 Thyra clay loam TSS 0.17 0.15 0.16 0.19 0.38 0.43 Cl 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.14 0.20 Niemur clay TSS 0.65 0.05 0.06 0.09 0.29 0.23 0.25 Cl 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.11 0.09 0.09 Niemur clay TSS 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.21 0.17 Cl 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.11 0.10 Niemur clay TSS 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.16 0.22 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.08 0.12 Niemur clay TSS 0.16 0.22 0.22 0.32 0.48 0.44 Cl 0.06 0.10 0.10 0.16 0.19 0.20 Niemur clay TSS 0.03 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.40 0.81 0.67 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.11 0.19 0.23 Niemur clay TSS 0.03 0.03 0.08 0.11 0.24 0.36



Table 5-10: PART 2 - Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Cl 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.11 0.17 Johnston 1953 Billabong clay TSS 0.52 0.58 0.65 1.12 1.85 2.05 Cl 0.34 0.38 0.43 0.78 0.84 0.90 Billabong clay TSS 0.93 1.07 1.07 1.30 2.43 2.24 2.09 Cl 0.69 0.80 0.80 0.96 0.87 0.78 0.72 Colimo clay TSS 0.18 0.31 0.73 0.73 1.41 1.04 Cl 0.11 0.19 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.50 Colimo clay TSS 0.37 0.60 1.15 1.24 1.78 1.15 Cl 0.24 0.41 0.82 0.86 0.78 0.69 Riverina clay TSS 0.32 0.41 0.48 0.51 0.96 0.74 Cl 0.19 0.25 0.29 0.30 0.49 0.38 Riverina clay TSS 0.30 0.34 0.34 0.71 0.85 1.88 Cl 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.43 0.51 0.48 Wandook clay TSS 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.07 0.35 Johnston 1950 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07

Noorong clay TSS 0.21 0.36 0.36 0.87 1.52 1.40 Smith et al. 1943 Cl 0.08 0.15 0.15 0.41 0.65 0.59 Moulamien clay TSS 0.56 0.70 0.70 0.70 2.26 2.21 Cl 0.19 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.64 0.64 Moulamien clay TSS 0.54 0.63 0.63 0.99 2.42 Cl 0.28 0.33 0.33 0.51 0.68 Niemur clay TSS 0.16 0.23 0.23 0.32 0.39 Cl 0.06 0.09 0.09 0.13 0.16

Summary data

Average TSS 0.21 0.25 0.31 0.44 0.94 0.95 0.67 Cl 0.11 0.15 0.18 0.24 0.33 0.34 0.26 Lowest TSS 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.21 0.17 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.08 0.09 Highest TSS 0.93 1.07 1.15 1.30 2.43 2.24 2.08 Cl 0.69 0.80 0.82 0.96 0.87 0.89 0.72 Std. dev. TSS 0.22 0.25 0.30 0.38 0.73 0.68 0.60 Cl 0.15 0.18 0.22 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.21 No. of samples TSS 30 29 30 30 28 21 8 Cl 26 26 28 29 27 21 8


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0

TSS and chloride (%)D

epth

(m)

TSS%Cl%

Figure 5-2: Change in average TSS (%) and Cl (%) with depth in hard setting clay soils in the

Murray Valley.



5.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 5-11: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the

Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Wandook clay pH 7.8 7.8 7.8 8.3 7.9 8.0 Smith 1945 CaCO3 Wandook clay pH 5.7 9.0 8.0 8.9 8.9 8.6 CaCO3 Wandook clay pH 6.6 7.6 8.5 8.5 7.6 CaCO3 Riverina clay pH 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 8.8 8.5 CaCO3 Billabong clay pH 6.2 8.1 8.1 8.9 8.0 CaCO3 Niemur clay pH 7.5 8.5 8.5 9.2 9.2 CaCO3 0.12 1.63 1.63 1.57 1.57 Riverina clay pH 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.6 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

Niemur clay pH 6.8 7.4 7.4 8.7 8.7 Churchward 1956 CaCO3

Riverina clay pH 6.8 6.8 7.7 8 7.8 8.3 Quirk & Blackmore 1955 CaCO3 0.01 0.18 1.2 Billabong clay pH 7.6 8.4 8.4 8.5 8 8.5 CaCO3 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.77

Thyra clay pH 6.4 8.7 9.1 9.3 9.2 5.5 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 3.6 5.8 3.2 0.41 Thyra clay loam pH 6.4 8.8 8.8 9.1 CaCO3 4.3 4.3 1.9 Thyra clay loam pH 7.6 7.6 9.1 9.1 5.2 4.9 CaCO3 1.04 0.69 Niemur clay pH 5.9 6.9 8 8 8.2 6.4 CaCO3 <.01 <.01 Niemur clay pH 7.1 7.1 8.2 8.6 CaCO3 Niemur clay pH 6.3 7.6 7.6 7.9 7 7.4 CaCO3 Niemur clay pH 5.8 7.2 7.2 7.8 5.4 5.1 CaCO3 Niemur clay pH 6.7 8.9 8.9 8.9 9.3 8.3 9 CaCO3 0.23 0.23 0.23 1.28 0.01 1.76 Niemur clay pH 7.6 8.3 9 9.2 9.3 9.3 CaCO3 0.04 0.85 1.19 0.44 0.27 Billabong clay pH 7.8 7.8 7.8 7.5 7.1 7.6 CaCO3 Billabong clay pH 7.5 7.5 7.5 8.3 8 7.7 CaCO3 0.03 0.05



Table 5-12: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Colimo clay pH 6.1 7.2 8.1 8.1 7.7 8 CaCO3 Colimo clay pH 7.6 7.6 8 8.1 7.5 7.8 CaCO3 Riverina clay pH 7.8 7.8 7.7 7.7 7.4 7.8 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 Riverina clay pH 6.2 6.2 6.2 5.1 5.2 7.2 CaCO3

Wandook clay pH 5.85 7.53 7.53 8.37 8.88 Johnston 1950 CaCO3

Noorong clay loam pH 6.4 7.2 7.2 8 7.7 7.3 6.6 Smith et al. 1943 CaCO3 Moulamein clay pH 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.9 6.9 7.5 CaCO3 Moulamein clay pH 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.7 7.8 CaCO3 Niemur clay pH 6.4 7.8 7.8 7.3 7.3 CaCO3

Riverina clay pH 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.5 8.1 Raupach & De Vries 1958 CaCO3

Hard setting clay pH 6.6 7.9 7.9 Shields & Baker 2002 CaCO3

Moulamien clay pH 7.5 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 CaCO3 Noorong clay pH 7.1 CaCO3 Colimo clay pH 5.7 CaCO3 Riverina clay pH 7 CaCO3

Unnamed* (Moulamien)pH 6.8 7.4 7.7 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0.07 Unnamed* (Deniliquin) pH 5.7 7 6.8 CaCO3

Summary Data

Average pH 6.4 7.2 7.3 6.6 6.4 6.0 5.8 CaCO3 0.05 0.92 1.55 1.13 0.73 0.66 1.02 Lowest pH 5.7 6.2 6.2 5.1 5.2 5.1 4.9 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 0.04 0.01 0.27 Highest pH 7.8 8.9 9.1 9.3 9.3 8.6 9.3 CaCO3 0.12 3.60 5.80 4.30 1.90 1.20 1.76 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.06 1.46 2.09 1.51 0.74 0.60 1.05 No. of samples pH 38 29 32 33 30 19 8 CaCO3 3 6 10 11 8 3 2



0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

0 2 4 6 8 10

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 5-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in hard setting clay soils in the Murray

Valley.

0.0

0.2

0.40.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.61.8

2.0

2.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Calcium carbonate (%)

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 5-4: Variation in calcium carbonate (%) within and between depths in hard setting clay



5.2.2.2. Organic carbon Table 5-13: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray

Valley.


0-0.1

Unnamed* (Moulamien) Organic carbon 0.88 Loveday et al. 1983 Unnamed* (Deniliquin) Organic carbon 1.15

Moulamien clay Organic carbon 1.36 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 Noorong clay Organic carbon 1.4 Colimo clay Organic carbon 1.7 Riverina clay Organic carbon 1.15

Summary Data

Average Organic carbon 1.27 Lowest Organic carbon 0.88 Highest Organic carbon 1.7 Std. dev. Organic carbon 0.27 No. of samples Organic carbon 6


5.2.2.3. Exchangeable cations Raupach and DeVries (1958) conducted an extensive analysis of chemical properties upon a small area of Riverina clay. Plots were sampled several times throughout 1953 and 1954. The results of the exchangeable cation determinations are presented below in Table 5-14. Table 5-14: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in hard setting clay



0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Billabong clay TMI 23.0 33.7 Smith 1945 Ca 8.5 11.8 Mg 10.8 16.5 K 0.9 0.7 Na 2.7 4.7 H Niemur clay TMI 32.3 35.1 34.6 34.0 34.0 Ca 19.0 20.0 17.2 14.3 14.3 Mg 10.6 12.7 14.1 15.6 15.6 K 1.9 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.0 Na 0.8 1.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 H


TMI - Total metal ions; TEC - Total exchange capacity; CEC Cation exchange capacity


Table 5-15: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in hard setting clay soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Riverina clay TMI 21.3 30.8 30.8 30.8 Smith 1945 Ca 6.2 8.6 8.6 8.6 Mg 10.3 15.1 15.1 15.1 K 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 Na 4.0 6.2 6.2 6.2 H

Riverina clay TMI Quirk & Blackmore1955 Ca 0.5 1.3 3.5 9.9 31.9 28.5 Mg 1.1 2.1 5.0 13.3 40.3 39.1 K 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.5 Na 7.2 11.9 26.0 56.8 98.6 107.6 H Billabong clay TMI Ca 1.8 4.4 7.0 15.6 31.6 24.1 Mg 2.7 6.9 11.0 30.1 54.8 47.2 K 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.3 Na 22.0 50.0 78.0 126.5 155.6 150.9 H

Thyra clay TMI 21.6 7.0 22.20 Johnston 1953 Ca 10.6 3.2 3.20 Mg 8.6 3.1 11.10 K 2.0 0.5 0.64 Na 0.5 0.2 7.30 H Thyra clay loam TMI 26.1 28.50 Ca 10.2 5.80 Mg 12.5 15.70 K 2.6 0.81 Na 0.9 6.18 H Thyra clay loam TMI 20.7 25.9 18.9 Ca 7.7 9.1 4.5 Mg 10.2 13.3 8.3 K 1.2 1.2 0.5 Na 1.6 2.3 5.3 H 7.9 Niemur clay TMI 25.3 27.3 Ca 12.1 9.0 Mg 10.4 11.4 K 1.1 0.6 Na 1.7 6.3 H






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Niemur clay TMI 25.2 25.2 12.8 Johnston 1953 Ca 11.3 11.3 3.2 Mg 11.3 11.3 6.5 K 1.3 1.3 0.3 Na 1.4 1.4 2.7 H Niemur clay TMI 19.4 29.6 29.6 29.9 Ca 12.1 19.3 19.3 16.9 Mg 5.9 8.7 8.7 10.3 K 1.1 0.6 0.6 0.6 Na 0.4 1.0 1.0 2.1 H 5.2 3.0 3.0 1.9

Niemur clay TMI 15.9 34.8 34.8 26.3 Johnston 1953 Ca 8.4 18.4 18.4 8.9 Mg 5.9 12.9 12.9 11.6 K 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.4 Na 1.2 2.9 2.9 5.3 H Niemur clay TMI 9.7 25.0 25.0 Ca 4.2 7.7 7.7 Mg 3.5 12.2 12.2 K 1.6 1.3 1.3 Na 0.5 3.8 3.8 H Niemur clay TMI 33.3 34.3 Ca 18.5 17.6 Mg 11.8 13.3 K 2.3 1.9 Na 0.8 1.5 H Billabong clay TMI 30.0 32.4 32.4 Ca 6.3 6.5 6.5 Mg 14.3 15.4 15.4 K 1.2 1.2 1.2 Na 8.3 9.3 9.3 H 2.5 2.3 2.3 Colimo clay TMI 15.2 26.4 28.2 28.2 Ca 5.3 8.6 7.4 7.4 Mg 6.8 12.3 12.6 12.6 K 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 Na 2.3 4.7 7.6 7.6 H Colimo clay TMI 27.7 29.6 Ca 7.6 7.9 Mg 11.4 12.1 K 1.5 1.5 Na 7.3 8.1 H 2.6 2.5






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Riverina clay TMI 32.8 36.1 29.8 Johnston 1953 Ca 12.9 14.2 7.5 Mg 13.1 13.9 13.9 K 1.4 1.3 0.8 Na 5.4 6.6 7.5 H Riverina clay TMI 21.6 22.5 22.5 25.1 Ca 5.7 5.9 5.9 4.3 Mg 10.2 10.5 10.5 10.3 K 1.3 1.3 1.3 0.9 Na 4.4 4.8 4.8 9.7 H

6.3 6.4 6.4 7.1

Noorong clay TMI 26.4 29.4 29.4 Smith et al. 1943 Ca 7.2 9.4 9.4 Mg 8.5 11.2 11.2 K 4.7 4.7 4.7 Na 6.0 4.1 4.1 H Moulamien clay TMI 23.6 26.3 26.3 26.3 Ca 7.7 8.2 8.2 8.2 Mg 9.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 K 5.0 6.3 6.3 6.3 Na 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 H Niemur clay TMI 26.9 27.5 27.5 Ca 11.9 11.3 11.3 Mg 12.1 11.8 11.8 K 2.1 3.9 3.9 Na 0.9 0.6 0.6 H

Riverina clay*** TEC 34.0 42.2 37.7 37.2 36.2 Raupach & De Vries 1958(average of 48!)*** Ca 8.5 8.9 29.6 29.0 16.6 Mg 12.7 15.4 16.5 16.2 15.7 K Na 4.3 16.1 18.5 18.1 18.1 H

Moulamien clay CEC 25.6 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 Ca 9.8 Mg 12.8 K 0.9 Na 2.1 H


TMI - Total metal ions; TEC - Total exchange capacity; CEC Cation exchange capacity *** For a better overview only the averages of 48 Riverina clays soil were inserted in this section of the table. The summary

data (end of Table 5-19: PART 6) was computed with all 48 soils included.




0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Moulamien clay CEC 23.5 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 Ca 7.9 Mg 10.9 K 0.8 Na 3.8 H Noorong clay CEC 25.6 Ca 9.8 Mg 12.8 K 0.9 Na 2.1 H Noorong clay CEC 22.3 Ca 8.5 Mg 10.8 K 0.9 Na 2.1 H

Colimo clay CEC 18.2 Humphreys & Barrs 1998 Ca 7.0 Mg 8.0 K 0.7 Na 2.4 H Riverina clay CEC 19.3 Ca 4.1 Mg 9.2 K 0.6 Na 5.3 H Riverina clay CEC 18.6 Ca 4.8 Mg 10.2 K 0.7 Na 2.8 H






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Unnamed* (Moulamien) TEC 33.2 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 13.4 Mg 11.4 K 0.9 Na 5.8 H Unnamed* (Deniliquin) TEC 25.0 36.0 Ca 5.9 9.2 Mg 8.6 15.0 K 1.1 1.0 Na 1.9 6.5

H

Summary data

Average Total** 30.1 28.4 39.7 29.8 37.3 35.9 35.7 Ca 8.5 10.2 9.2 10.7 28.5 26.6 16.3 Mg 11.5 11.3 14.6 16.2 17.5 16.7 15.5 K 1.4 1.6 1.7 1.6 0.7 0.6 0.3 Na 4.0 6.3 14.9 33.5 21.9 20.7 17.8 H 4.1 3.6 3.9 7.1 4.9 Lowest Total** 9.7 7.0 22.5 26.3 22.3 18.9 12.8 Ca 0.5 1.3 2.3 7.4 4.3 3.2 3.2 Mg 1.1 2.1 5.0 10.8 10.3 8.3 6.5 K 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 Na 0.4 0.2 0.6 1.1 3.1 2.1 2.7 H 2.5 2.3 2.3 1.9 Highest Total** 41.6 36.1 42.9 34.0 38.7 40.7 40.2 Ca 19.0 20.0 19.3 15.6 88.5 136.0 87.2 Mg 18.6 16.5 19.1 30.1 54.8 47.2 17.9 K 5.0 6.3 6.3 6.3 1.0 0.8 Na 22.0 50.0 78.0 126.5 155.6 150.9 19.2 H 6.3 6.4 6.4 7.9 Std. dev. Total** 7.7 6.7 5.4 3.3 3.1 3.9 4.7 Ca 3.2 5.3 2.8 3.4 25.5 28.8 15.9 Mg 3.5 3.7 2.4 7.0 6.5 5.6 1.9 K 1.1 1.6 1.9 2.3 0.3 0.1 Na 2.7 10.8 9.8 50.2 22.0 21.8 2.3 H 1.9 1.9 2.2 4.2 No. of samples Total** 77 18 60 4 51 54 49 Ca 79 20 62 6 53 56 49 Mg 79 20 62 6 53 56 49 K 31 20 14 6 5 8 1 Na 79 20 62 6 53 56 49

H 4 4 3 0 1 2 0

TMI - Total metal ions; TEC - Total exchange capacity; CEC Cation exchange capacity * Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided. ** Total is either the measured CEC or calculations of total exchange capacity, total exchangeable cations and total metal

ions. *** For a better overview only the averages of 48 Riverina clays soil were inserted in the upper section of this Table (Table 5-

17: PART 4). However, the summary data was computed with all 48 soils included.


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Cation (me/100g)D

epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 5-5: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) with depth in hard setting clay


5.3. Summary of hard setting clays

5.3.1. Electrical conductivity From the limited information collected hard setting clays tended to become moderately to highly saline with depth with an EC of 0.19 dS/m at 0-0.025 m to 2.05 dS/m at 0.8 m.

5.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Hard setting clays appeared to be prone to being sodic, however only limited data was available.

5.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate The trend in pH for the MIA/CIA hard setting clays is neutral in the topsoil with an average pH of 7 increasing slightly with depth to an average pH of 7.5 at 0.5m. The general trend in pH was more significant in the Murray Valley. The pH ranged from 6.8 in the topsoil to 8 at 0.5m. Data for CaCO3 was limited for the MIA/CIA. For the Murray Valley there was no general trend.

5.3.4. Exchangeable cations There is a general trend in both the MIA/CIA and Murray Valley for potassium to decrease with depth and sodium to increase with depth. For the MIA/CIA potassium concentrations ranged from 1.2 me/100g in the topsoil to 0.65 me/100g at 1m, sodium ranged from 2.83 me/100g in the topsoil to 5.3 me/100g at 1m. In the Murray Valley potassium concentrations


were slightly higher in the topsoil with an average of 1.9 me/100g decreasing to 0.3 me/100g at 1.5m. Sodium concentrations tended to be higher in the Murray Valley, the average concentration in the topsoil was 4.2 me/100g increasing to 17.7 me/100g at 1.5m.

6. Transitional red brown earths



6.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity studies for transitional red brown earths have been undertaken by Loveday et al. (1978) for Willbriggie and Marah clay loams and Marah loams at 15 sites in the MIA, with two replicates at each site, Table 6-1. Table 6-1: Change in average electrical conductivity (dS/m) in transitional red brown earth


Depth interval Mean electric conductivity (1:5) Author

(m) (dS/m)

0.0 - 0.1 0.12 Loveday et al.1978 0.1 - 0.2 0.10 0.2 - 0.3 0.15 0.3 - 0.4 0.22 0.4 - 0.6 0.38 0.6 - 0.8 0.64

Christen (1994) undertook electrical conductivity measurements of Morago and Mundiwa clay loams at Whitton in the MIA. Electrical conductivity of a saturated paste measured at depths of 0.1-0.16 and 0.55-0.7 m were 0.14 -0.1 dS/m and 1.23-1.05 dS/m respectively. Loveday et al. (1984) also determined electrical conductivity in a 1:5 soil:water suspension for a Mundiwa clay loam to a 1 m depth at 0.1 m intervals. Ten replicates were made at each depth and mean electrical conductivity ranged from a low of 0.04 dS/m at a 0-0.1m depth to a maximum of 0.25 dS/m at 0.9-1 m. Electrical conductivity’s of a Willbriggie clay loam to a depth of 3 m have been determined by Sleeman and Stannard (1983), ranging from 0.49 dS/m at a 0.05-0.15 m depth to a maximum of 1.7 dS/m at 1-1.5 m before decreasing to 1.1 dS/m at 2.6-3 m. Loveday (1974) undertook electrical conductivity determinations of a Marah clay loam to 5 m. Mean electrical conductivity ranged from a low of 0.48 dS/m at 0.25 m to a high of 2.12 dS/m at 1.5 m before decreasing to 1.55 dS/m at 5 m. Loveday et al. (1970) also conducted measurements of electrical conductivity on a Marah clay loam at depths of 0-0.05, 0.1-0.2 and 0.5-0.6 m. Electrical conductivity was found to be 0.15, 0.24 and 1.04 dS/m for the respective depths. Table 6-2 shows the statistical data relating to electrical conductivity in 1:5 soil:suspension from all of the above mentioned studies. Variation of electrical conductivity with depth from the studies is shown in Figure 6-1.


Figure 6-1: Variation in electrical conductivity (dS/m) within and between depths in

transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. Table 6-2: Statistical analysis of electrical conductivity (dS/m) measurements in transitional

red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA. Depth

(m) Average

value Lowest value

Highest value


0.1 0.13 0.04 0.49 0.08 61 0.12 0.12 29 0.2 0.14 0.03 0.86 0.17 124 0.09 0.09 28 0.3 0.15 0.03 0.45 0.09 64 0.12 0.12 26 0.4 0.25 0.03 1.20 0.24 95 0.18 0.18 27 0.6 0.46 0.06 1.43 0.36 79 0.30 0.35 29 0.8 0.65 0.12 2.80 0.64 97 0.36 0.47 27 0.9 0.19 1 1.0 1.18 0.25 1.83 0.74 62 1.32 0.92 4 1.5 2.12 1 2.5 1.52 1.05 2.00 0.47 31 1.52 1.47 4 3.0 1.21 1.10 1.31 0.15 12 1.21 1.20 2 4.0 1.48 1 5.0 1.55 1


6.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages of transitional red brown earths soil profiles have been calculated from exchangeable cation data recorded by Loveday et al. (1966) for Willbriggie clay loams, Willbriggie clays and Tuppal clay loams at nine sites in the CIA. ESP was also calculated from exchangeable cations measured by Loveday et al. (1978) on Willbriggie clay loams, Willbriggie clay, Marah clay loams and Marah loams. ESP has also been determined

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

EC (dS/m)D

epth

(m)


by Blackwell et al. (1990) for a Mundiwa clay loam and McIntyre et al. (1982) determined ESP for a Marah clay. Loveday and Scotter (1966) determined ESP of two transitional red brown earths during an experiment into the emergence response of subterranean clover to dissolved gypsum. These results are shown in Table 6-3. Variation of ESP with depth from results of the above studies is shown in Figure 6-2. Statistical data relating to ESP for transitional red brown earths is shown in Table 6-4. Table 6-3: Measurements of ESP (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0.025 0.100 0.300 0.600

Willbriggie clay loam (average 8) 2.8 6.8 Loveday et al. 1978 Marah loam (average 2) 0.7 3.3 Willbriggie clay 1.8 4.7 Marah clay loam (average 2) 5.7 13.6

Willbriggie clay loam (avearge 5) 1.9 2.5 8.1 Loveday and Scotter 1966 Tuppal clay loam (avearge 2) 1.0 2.4 5.1 Willbriggie loam (avearge 2) 1.2 1.4 7.9

Mundiwa clay loam 2.0 4.7 Blackwell et al. 1990

Willbriggie clay 13.0 Loveday and Scotter 1966

Marah clay loam 18.8 18.8 McIntyre et al. 1982

Figure 6-2: Variation in ESP within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils

in the MIA and CIA.

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0 5 10 15 20 25ESP

Dep

th (m

)


Table 6-4: Statistical analysis of ESP measurements in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.

Depth (m)

Averagevalue

Lowest value

Highest value


0.1025 2.3 0.8 9.3 2.3 101 1.9 1.8 12 0.1000 3.0 0.0 20.0 3.0 101 2.3 2.0 28 0.3000 7.3 0.6 19.0 4.0 55 6.7 6.1 27 0.6000 18.8 1


6.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride The results for Loveday et al. (1966) determinations are an average of four replications, these results can be viewed in Table 6-5. Table 6-5: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in transitional red brown

earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Marah clay loam Cl 0.01 0.07 0.17 0.18 0.198 0.18 0.15 Loveday 1974 TSS

Willbriggie clay loam Cl 0.01 0.01 Loveday et al. 1966 TSS 0.04 0.06 (average of 4) Willbirggie clay loam Cl 0.01 0.02 TSS 0.03 0.04 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 0.01 0.02 TSS 0.04 0.09 Tuppal clay loam Cl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.03 0.04 Tuppal clay loam Cl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.03 0.04 Willbiggie clay Cl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.03 0.03 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 0.01 0.02 TSS 0.04 0.04 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 0.01 0.03 TSS 0.03 0.04 Riverina clay Cl 0.01 0.02 TSS 0.04 0.04

Summary data

Average Cl 0.01 0.02 0.17 0.18 0.20 0.18 0.15 TSS 0.03 0.05 Lowest Cl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.03 0.03 Highest Cl 0.01 0.07 TSS 0.04 0.09 Std. dev. Cl 0.00 0.02 TSS 0.01 0.02 No. of samples Cl 10 10 1 1 1 1 1

TSS 9 9 0 0 0 0 0


Table 6-6: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Willbriggie clay loam Cl 45 38 58 225 612 Loveday et al 1978 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 20 20 30 50 42 (average of 2) Willbriggie clay loam Cl 48 20 30 20 47 Marah loam Cl 45 25 30 23 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 30 30 50 110 251 Willgriggie clay Cl 45 20 30 40 42 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 40 30 25 45 50 Marah clay loam Cl 85 130 250 658 1124 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 40 20 25 38 Marah clay loam Cl 55 75 105 308 614 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 43 20 27 Marah clay loam Cl 63 35 45 53 63 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 20 30 20 59 95 Willbriggie clay loam Cl 35 40 30 60 92

Unnamed* (Benerembah) Cl 318 730 1300 Loveday et al. 1983 Unnamed* (Willbriggie) Cl 108 400 1200 1850 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) Cl 113 1300 1500 1500 Unnamed* (Whitton) Cl 60 510 950 1500 Unnamed* (Hay) Cl 114 460 950 1400 Unnamed* (Carrathool) Cl 95 350 690 1750 Unnamed* (Urana) Cl 174 1100 1900 1750 Unnamed* (Coleambally) Cl 126 470 920 1150 Unnamed* (Yanco) Cl 40 30 30 30 Unnamed* (Kooba) Cl 34 560 1700 1700 Unnamed* (Kooba) Cl 50 210 560 1650 Unnamed* (Coleambally) Cl 46 170 650 2250 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) Cl 50 30 30 190 Unnamed* (Leeton) Cl 50 30 30 40

Summary data

Average Cl 71 39 271 504 764 Lowest Cl 20 20 20 20 27 Highest Cl 318 130 1300 1900 2250 Std. dev Cl 61 32 348 589 774 No. of samples Cl 28 13 26 28 27




6.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 6-7: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils

in the MIA and CIA


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Marah clay loam pH 7.0 8.2 8.1 7.7 7.5 7.2 7.9 Loveday 1974 CaCO3 0.04 0.11 0.18 0.02

Mundiwa clay loam pH 5.5 6.3 7.1 7.8 9 Loveday et al. 1984 CaCO3

Marah clay loam pH 5.7 7.2 Loveday et al. 1970 CaCO3

Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.0 7.8 Loveday et al. 1966 CaCO3 0.03 (average of 4) Willbirggie clay loam pH 5.9 8.0 CaCO3 0.03 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.3 8.5 CaCO3 0.03 Tuppal clay loam pH 6.0 7.6 CaCO3 0.01 Tuppal clay loam pH 5.7 7.5 CaCO3 0.02 Willbiggie clay pH 6.8 7.2 CaCO3 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.4 8.1 CaCO3 0.02 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.1 8.2 CaCO3 0.02 Riverina clay pH 6.6 8.1 CaCO3 0.02

Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.3 6.9 7.8 8.6 8.7 Loveday et al. 1978 CaCO3 (average of 2) Marah loam pH 5.7 5.9 6.5 7.0 8.2 CaCO3 Willbriggie clay loam pH 5.7 7.5 8.1 8.2 9.0 CaCO3 0.22 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.0 7.0 7.8 8.2 9.0 CaCO3 0.03 Marah loam pH 6.0 6.8 7.2 7.8 8.8 CaCO3 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.3 7.1 8.5 8.8 8.7 CaCO3 Willgriggie clay pH 5.9 6.6 7.6 8.1 8.9 CaCO3



Table 6-8: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Willbriggie clay loam pH 5.4 7.2 7.6 8.5 9.0 Loveday et al. 1978 CaCO3 (average of 2) Marah clay loam pH 6.7 8.0 8.6 8.8 8.3 CaCO3 Willbriggie clay loam pH 8.0 8.1 8.3 8.6 9.3 CaCO3 0.78 1.98 Marah clay loam pH 6.6 7.1 8.1 8.5 8.7 CaCO3 0.28 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.6 7.6 8.0 8.3 9.0 CaCO3 0.77 Marah clay loam pH 6.5 7.5 8.2 8.5 9 CaCO3 0.27 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.9 8.0 8.6 8.8 9.0 CaCO3 0.63 Willbriggie clay loam pH 6.2 7.5 8.0 8.5 8.5 CaCO3 0.08

Unnamed* (Benerembah)pH 6.4 8 8.2 7.9 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Willbriggie) pH 6.8 8.2 8.3 7.8 CaCO3 0.06 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) pH 6.9 8.2 8.4 7.5 CaCO3 0.05 Unnamed* (Whitton) pH 6.4 7.6 8.1 7.9 CaCO3 0.03 Unnamed* (Hay) pH 6.7 7.5 8 7.5 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Carrathool) pH 6.7 8 8.3 7.7 CaCO3 0.05 Unnamed* (Urana) pH 7.2 7.9 7.9 7.3 CaCO3 0.04 Unnamed* (Coleambally) pH 6.7 7.6 8.3 8.4 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Yanco) pH 5 6.1 7.1 8 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Kooba) pH 6.9 8.3 8.5 8.6 CaCO3 0.08 Unnamed* (Kooba) pH 7.2 8.4 8.9 8.3 CaCO3 0.65 Unnamed* (Coleambally) pH 6.3 7.7 8.3 7.7 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) pH 6.1 7.9 8.6 8.9 CaCO3 0.22 Unnamed* (Leeton) pH 6.1 6.4 6.4 8.1 CaCO3




Table 6-9: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA

Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Summary data

Average pH 6.0 6.8 7.3 7.6 8.0 7.5 7.2 7.9 CaCO3 0.78 0.23 0.07 0.18 0.02 Lowest pH 5.0 5.9 6.1 6.4 7.3 CaCO3 0.01 0.03 0.18 Highest pH 8.0 8.1 8.6 8.9 9.3 CaCO3 1.98 0.11 0.18 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.43 0.06 No. of samples pH 41 17 40 31 31 1 1 1

CaCO3 1 0 24 2 1 0 0 1

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

0 2 4 6 8 10

pH

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 6-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in

the MIA and CIA


0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5

Calcium carbonate (%)D

epth

(m)

Figure 6-4: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in transitional red brown earth

soils in the MIA and CIA.


6.1.2.2. Exchangeable cations Table 6-10: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in transitional red

brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Marah clay loam CEC 19.5 32.0 29.8 25.3 26.7 28.3 24.3 Loveday 1974 Ca 5.8 13.1 11.2 8.6 7.8 7.1 6.3 Mg 5.2 12.1 13.1 11.7 11.6 12.3 10.3 K 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.6 Na 0.9 5.0 5.3 5.4 4.5 4.6 4.1 H

Mundiwa clay loam CEC 14.0 30.0 Blackwell et al. 1990

Mundiwa clay loam CEC 13.2 10.7 30.6 31.3 27.1 Loveday et al. 1984 Ca 1.4 2.2 9.2 9.9 9.2 Mg 0.9 1.6 8.9 10.5 11.5 K 0.7 0.4 0.9 0.8 0.8 Na 0.2 0.4 1.3 1.8 2.8 H

Marah clay loam TEC 15.2 31.5 Loveday et al. 1970 Ca 4.3 12.6 Mg 3.5 11.3 K 0.8 3.5 Na 0.9 1.0 H

5.8 3.2

Willbriggie clay loam TEC 21.6 35.6 Loveday et al. 1966 Ca 7.0 13.2 (average of 4) Mg 7.0 17.0 K 6.6 0.9 Na 0.7 2.4 H 6.6 2.2 Willbirggie clay loam TEC 18.2 36.7 Ca 6.2 13.8 Mg 4.7 16.8 K 0.5 0.9 Na 0.4 2.4 H 6.4 2.8 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 21.6 40.6 Ca 8.1 18.1 Mg 5.4 15.9 K 0.6 1.2 Na 0.8 5.4

H 6.4


CEC - Cation exchange capacity (measured) TEC - Total exchangeable cations (calculated)


Table 6-11: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in transitional red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Tuppal clay loam TEC 25.5 37.8 Loveday et al. 1966 Ca 10.7 19.4 (average of 4) Mg 5.7 12.5 K 0.6 0.8 Na 0.3 1.6 H 8.3 3.5 Tuppal clay loam TEC 23.3 35.3 Ca 8.1 16.5 Mg 4.4 11.8 K 0.7 1.1 Na 0.3 2.0 H 9.8 3.0 Willbiggie clay TEC 20.3 33.5 Ca 11.2 14.7 Mg 4.3 10.8 K 0.6 0.7 Na 0.1 1.6 H 4.2 5.3 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 22.6 37.9 Ca 7.6 15.0 Mg 7.3 16.3 K 0.8 1.2 Na 0.6 2.6 H 6.3 3.0 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 16.4 38.6 Ca 5.3 14.6 Mg 3.9 17.0 K 0.8 1.4 Na 0.3 3.8 H 6.0 2.0

Willbriggie clay loam TEC 16.6 28.4 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 5.7 11.4 (Average of 2) Mg 3.8 10.1 K 1.2 1.3 Na 0.7 3.1 H 5.3 2.6 Marah loam TEC 18.2 30.3 Ca 5.3 15.7 Mg 3.4 7.7 K 0.8 1.0 Na 0.1 0.2 H 8.7 5.8


TEC - Total exchangeable cations (calculated)




0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Willbriggie clay loam TEC 21.5 26.1 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 7.7 10.7 (average of 2) Mg 4.2 10.8 K 1.0 0.9 Na 0.3 1.2 H 8.4 2.6 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 21.3 31.0 Ca 7.5 13.7 Mg 4.9 12.4 K 1.5 1.6 Na 0.2 1.0 H 7.3 2.3 Marah loam TEC 16.8 33.6 Ca 5.5 14.5 Mg 2.9 11.4 K 1.0 1.9 Na 0.2 2.0 H

7.3 3.8

Willbriggie clay loam TEC 17.5 30.4 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 5.8 12.5 Mg 4.0 10.2 K 1.0 1.4 Na 0.8 3.3 H

5.9 0.0

Willbriggie clay TEC 28.6 38.0 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 12.1 18.9 (average of 2) Mg 7.1 13.1 K 1.5 1.3 Na 0.5 1.8 H 7.4 3.0 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 22.7 34.3 Ca 7.4 14.6 Mg 5.4 13.4 K 1.2 1.1 Na 0.5 2.1 H 8.2 3.1 Marah clay loam TEC 24.7 29.2 Ca 9.1 9.3 Mg 7.8 13.9 K 1.2 0.8 Na 1.6 4.8 H 5.0 0.5






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Willbriggie clay loam TEC 21.7 27.4 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 13.8 12.9 (average of 2) Mg 4.1 11.2 K 1.6 1.3 Na 0.2 0.7 H 2.2 1.4 Marah clay loam TEC 18.1 27.8 Ca 7.6 11.7 Mg 3.9 10.1 K 1.2 1.1 Na 0.9 3.0 H 4.6 2.0 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 20.8 26.0 Ca 11.3 12.6 Mg 3.9 10.1 K 1.1 0.9 Na 0.2 0.8 H 4.4 1.7 Marah clay loam TEC 27.6 33.2 Ca 8.5 10.5 Mg 10.1 17.1 K 1.6 1.1 Na 1.3 3.2 H 6.2 1.3 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 26.7 31.1 Ca 11.4 12.5 Mg 8.4 14.5 K 1.7 1.1 Na 1.3 3.0 H 4.0 0.0 Willbriggie clay loam TEC 23.6 35.5 Ca 8.1 16.5 Mg 6.4 12.9 K 1.4 1.2 Na 1.1 2.9 H 6.6 2.1

Unnamed* (Benerembah) CEC 18.2 30.0 28.0 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 6.3 13.0 11.0 Mg 5.1 14.0 11.0 K 0.7 0.6 0.6 Na 1.5 5.0 5.8 H 0.0






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Unnamed* (Willbriggie) CEC 18.8 36.0 36.0 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 5.5 12.0 10.0 Mg 4.8 14.0 18.0 K 1.0 1.2 1.3 Na 1.2 4.8 6.3 H Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) CEC 21.7 29.0 29.0 Ca 5.3 9.4 8.0 Mg 7.6 12.0 14.0 K 1.1 0.7 0.8 Na 1.9 5.9 7.2 H Unnamed* (Whitton) CEC 13.0 33.0 33.0 Ca 2.3 14.0 14.0 Mg 1.6 10.0 13.0 K 0.7 1.2 1.3 Na 0.4 4.5 5.7 H Unnamed* (Hay) CEC 22.2 29.0 Ca 6.7 12.0 Mg 7.6 11.0 K 1.0 0.5 Na 1.4 3.9 H Unnamed* Carrathool) CEC 20.5 29.0 Ca 6.7 12.0 Mg 6.2 11.0 K 0.9 0.7 Na 1.8 4.0 H Unnamed* (Urana) CEC 18.8 25.0 23.0 Ca 4.3 6.0 6.4 Mg 5.3 8.5 10.0 K 0.6 0.5 0.6 Na 2.8 8.0 9.7 H Unnamed* (Coleambally) CEC 21.2 30.0 Ca 5.3 11.0 Mg 5.9 K Na H


CEC - Cation exchange capacity (measured) * Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided.




0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Unnamed* (Yanco) CEC 16.0 31.0 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 3.0 13.0 Mg 1.1 7.1 K 0.4 0.8 Na 0.0 0.1 H Unnamed* (Kooba) CEC 23.0 30.0 Ca 7.8 10.0 Mg 4.8 7.9 K 1.7 1.8 Na 1.6 5.5 H Unnamed* (Kooba) CEC 31.0 34.0 Ca 13.0 34.0 Mg 8.2 12.0 K 1.7 1.1 Na 1.9 4.6 H Unnamed* (Coleambally) CEC 17.8 40.0 37.0 Ca 4.6 15.0 15.0 Mg 2.8 12.0 14.0 K 1.3 1.4 1.4 Na 0.4 4.3 5.6 H Unnamed* (Warrawidgee) CEC 23.8 39.0 Ca 8.9 18.0 Mg 4.8 12.0 K 1.5 1.6 Na 0.8 0.1 H Unnamed* (Leeton) CEC 11.0 17.0 Ca 3.7 7.3 Mg 1.1 2.5 K 0.8 1.0 Na 0.0 0.1 H


TEC - Total exchangeable cations (calculated) * Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided.



Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Summary data

Average Total** 20.4 21.1 32.1 30.9 26.2 26.7 28.3 24.3 Ca 7.1 7.4 13.6 10.7 8.9 7.8 7.1 6.3 Mg 5.0 6.5 11.9 13.0 11.6 11.6 12.3 10.3 K 1.2 1.9 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.6 Na 0.8 0.7 2.9 5.9 4.1 4.5 4.6 4.1 H 6.0 3.2 2.4 Lowest Total** 11.0 10.7 17.0 23.0 25.3 Ca 1.4 2.2 6.0 6.4 8.6 Mg 0.9 1.6 2.5 10.0 11.5 K 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 Na 0.0 0.4 0.1 1.8 2.8 H 0.0 0.0 Highest Total** 31.0 31.5 40.6 37.0 27.1 Ca 13.8 12.6 34.0 15.0 9.2 Mg 10.1 11.3 17.1 18.0 11.7 K 6.6 3.5 1.9 1.4 0.8 Na 2.8 1.0 8.0 9.7 5.4 H 9.8 5.8 Std. dev. Total** 4.3 14.7 4.8 4.5 1.3 Ca 2.8 7.4 4.5 2.8 0.4 Mg 2.1 6.9 3.1 2.6 0.1 K 1.0 2.2 0.3 0.4 0.3 Na 0.7 0.4 1.9 2.2 1.8 H 2.1 1.4 No. of samples Total** 41 2 40 8 2 1 1 1 Ca 40 2 39 8 2 1 1 1 Mg 40 2 38 8 2 1 1 1 K 39 2 38 8 2 1 1 1 Na 2 38 8 2 1 1 1

H 25 1 22 0 0 0 0 0


** Total can be the measured CEC (cation exchange capacity), or calculated TEC (total exchangeable cations) or calculated total metal ions.


0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16


epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 6-5: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100/g) with depth in transitional red

brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA


6.2. Murray Valley transitional red brown earths


6.2.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 6-17: PART 1 - Total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) variation with depth.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Muckatah clay loam TSS 0.04 0.12 0.20 0.20 0.31 Smith 1945 Cl 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.09 Muckatah clay TSS 0.07 0.12 0.12 0.22 0.97 Cl 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.09 Mundiwa loam TSS 0.02 0.28 0.28 0.40 0.64 1.02 Cl 0 0.11 0.11 0.13 0.13 0.18 Barooga loam TSS 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.09 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

Tilga sandy clay loam TSS 0.11 0.55 0.96 0.96 1.06 Churchward 1956 Cl 0.06 0.35 0.62 0.62 0.67

Marah loam TSS 0.02 0.35 0.57 0.26 Quirk & Blackmore Cl 0.01 0.14 0.12 0.10 1955

Wongal clay TSS 0.11 0.16 0.18 0.23 0.27 0.27 0.31 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.03 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.13 Wongal clay loam TSS 0.31 0.40 0.49 0.50 0.55 0.52 0.47 Cl 0.16 0.22 0.27 0.26 0.24 0.27 0.25 Tomara loam TSS 0.04 0.35 0.35 0.53 0.49 0.55 Cl 0.02 0.23 0.23 0.31 0.29 0.32 Tomara loam TSS 0.35 0.59 0.59 0.55 0.83 Cl 0.23 0.39 0.39 0.32 0.37 Mundiwa loam TSS 0.14 0.19 0.19 0.39 1.03 0.56 Cl 0.07 0.10 0.10 0.19 0.25 0.27 Mundiwa loam TSS 0.16 0.32 0.32 0.40 1.16 0.78 Cl 0.08 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.23 0.37 Marah loam TSS 0.24 0.56 0.57 0.80 1.32 0.91 Cl 0.15 0.35 0.35 0.48 0.50 0.51 TSS 0.27 0.41 0.42 0.37 0.57 0.53 0.59 Cl 0.16 0.23 0.22 0.18 0.18 0.19 0.18 Marah loam TSS 0.39 0.44 0.51 0.71 1.17 1.12 0.97 Cl 0.24 0.26 0.30 0.42 0.44 0.42 0.41 Tulla clay loam TSS 0.22 0.21 0.25 0.29 0.49 0.57 Cl 0.06 0.01 0.08 0.15 0.25 0.24 Tulla clay loam TSS 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.16 0.25 0.29 0.27

Cl 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.11 0.12 0.01



Table 6-18: PART 2 - Total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) variation with depth.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Yarraman clay loam TSS 0.11 0.06 0.06 0.04 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Yarraman clay loam TSS 0.08 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.08 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Yarraman clay TSS 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.24 0.29 Cl 0.03 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.11 Yarraman clay TSS 0.11 0.14 0.15 0.18 0.26 0.57 Cl 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.09 0.13

Woperana sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 Johnston 1950 Cl 0.01 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 Boorga loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.11 0.22 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.09 Yalgadoori loam TSS 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.19 0.22 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.08 0.09

Worobyan sandy loam TSS 0.21 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.69 0.93 Smith et al. 1943 Cl 0.07 0.18 0.18 0.18 0.28 0.38 Beremegad loam TSS 1.15 1.59 1.59 2.01 1.78 1.25 1.19 Cl 0.56 0.79 0.79 0.98 0.90 0.61 0.58 Yallakool clay loam TSS 0.34 0.58 0.58 0.58 1.68 1.23 Cl 0.13 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.51 0.51 Tulla clay loam TSS 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.21 0.54 0.64 0.43 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.11 0.13 0.15

Summary data

Average TSS 0.17 0.32 0.33 0.39 0.61 0.60 0.60 Cl 0.08 0.16 0.17 0.19 0.22 0.24 0.25 Lowest TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.27 Cl 0 0.01 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Highest TSS 1.15 1.59 1.59 2.00 1.78 1.25 1.19 Cl 0.57 0.79 0.79 0.98 0.90 0.61 0.58 Std. dev. TSS 0.22 0.33 0.35 0.40 0.50 0.37 0.32 Cl 0.12 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.22 0.17 0.18 No. of samples TSS 28 24 26 28 27 22 8 Cl 28 24 26 28 27 22 8


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

TSS and chloride (%)D

epth

(m)

TSS%Cl%

Figure 6-6: Change in average total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in

transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


6.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 6-19: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils

in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Muckatah clay loam pH 6.1 7.0 8.4 8.4 9.1 Smith 1945 CaCO3 Muckatah clay pH 6.7 8.1 8.1 8.8 8.1 CaCO3 Mundiwa loam pH 6.5 7.9 7.9 8.1 7.4 7.4 CaCO3 Barooga loam pH 6.3 6.3 6.6 6.8 9.0 CaCO3

Tilga sandy clay loam pH 8 8 8.7 8.7 8.7 Churchward 1956 CaCO3



Table 6-20: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Marah loam pH 6.7 8.4 8.2 8.5 Quirk & Blackmore CaCO3 0.01 0.96 0.01 1955

Wongal clay pH 7.3 8.9 8.9 9.5 9.2 8.0 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 2.5 2.5 3.5 0.15 <.01 5.5 Wongal clay loam pH 7.5 9.1 9.1 9.0 8.1 5.4 CaCO3 6.1 6.1 0.42 0.01 Tomara loam pH 5.7 7.0 7.0 8.7 8.5 5.4 CaCO3 0.28 <.01 0 Tomara loam pH 5.9 7.2 7.2 8.7 8.4 5.8 CaCO3 0.7 0.02 Mundiwa loam pH 5.9 7.4 8.2 7.7 7.5 6.3 CaCO3 <.01 <.01 Mundiwa loam pH 6.0 7.8 7.8 8.5 7.9 7.8 7.3 CaCO3 <.01 <.01 0.01 0.02 <.01 Marah loam pH 6.5 7.6 7.6 8.2 8.0 8.5 CaCO3 Marah loam pH 7.4 7.4 8.2 8.2 8.1 8.2 8.2 CaCO3 <.01 <.01 0.06 0.04 0.01 Marah loam pH 6.3 7.2 7.2 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.0 CaCO3 <.01 0.13 0.12 <.01 Tulla clay loam pH 6.2 7.1 8.6 8.6 8.1 7.8 CaCO3 Tulla clay loam pH 6.1 7.3 7.3 7.8 6.9 8.6 8.8 CaCO3 Yarraman clay loam pH 5.8 6.9 8.7 8.7 8.8 CaCO3 4.5 0.03 <.01 Yarraman clay loam pH 6.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 8.8 9.1 9.3 CaCO3 0.83 1.13 1.34 Yarraman clay pH 7.2 8.8 8.8 8.9 5.3 CaCO3 0.09 3.4 3.4 0.46 Yarraman clay pH 6.8 8.8 8.8 8.7 7.8 CaCO3 2 2 0.19 0.04

Woperana sand pH 6.1 7.1 8.0 8.2 8.1 Johnston 1950 CaCO3 Boorga loam pH 6.2 7.3 8.2 8.2 9.4 9.1 9.0 CaCO3 Yalgadoori loam pH 6.0 7.6 7.6 9.2 9.2 CaCO3



Table 6-21: PART 3 - Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Worobyan sandy loam pH 8.3 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.4 Smith et al. 1943 CaCO3 Beremegad loam pH 6.3 7.6 7.6 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3 CaCO3 Yallakool clay loam pH 6.3 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.6 CaCO3 Tulla clay loam pH 7.9 7.9 7.9 9.1 8.6 8.6 8.8 CaCO3

TRBE pH 6.3 8.35 8.1 Shields & Baker 2002 CaCO3 TRBE pH 5.8 8.0 8.9 CaCO3 TRBE pH 5.9 8.2 8.6 CaCO3

Unnamed* (Jerilderie) pH 6.5 8.3 8.9 7.8 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0.07 Unnamed* (Conargo) pH 6.3 7.6 8.3 7.9 CaCO3 Unnamed* (Deniliquin) pH 7.2 8.1 8.5 8.1 CaCO3 0.16

Summary data

Average pH 6.2 7.2 7.4 7.8 7.9 6.4 6.3 CaCO3 0.09 2.25 2.37 1.68 0.25 0.14 1.71 Lowest pH 5.7 6.3 6.6 6.8 6.9 5.3 5.4 CaCO3 2.00 0.07 < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 < 0.01 Highest pH 8.3 8.9 9.1 9.5 9.4 9.2 9.3 CaCO3 2.50 6.10 6.10 0.96 1.13 5.50 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.35 2.25 2.25 0.32 0.35 2.60 No. of samples pH 34 23 28 30 34 26 10

CaCO3 1 2 6 11 13 10 4



0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

0 2 4 6 8 10

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 6-7: Variation in pH within and between depths in transitional red brown earth soils in

the Murray Valley.

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7


Dep

th (m

)

Figure 6-8: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in transitional red brown earth



6.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations Table 6-22: PART 1 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the

Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Mundiwa loam CEC 6.2 27.6 27.6 28.0 Smith 1945 Ca 54.0 28.0 28.0 25.8 Mg 30.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 K 9.0 3.0 3.0 2.3 Na 7.0 21.0 21.0 24.0 H

Marah loam CEC Quirk & Blackmore Ca 0.4 6.4 14.3 5.4 1955 Mg 1.2 8.4 18.3 7.4 K 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Na 4.6 50.0 68.3 54.5 H

Wongal clay loam TI 20.3 10.4 14.7 Johnston 1953 Ca 10.0 5.0 2.1 Mg 7.5 4.1 6.7 K 2.2 1.0 0.3 Na 0.6 0.3 5.7 H 3.7 1.2 Wongal clay loam TM 26.8 33.7 18.8 Ca 10.3 12.3 2.2 Mg 12.4 16.2 9.8 K 2.1 2.4 0.7 Na 2.1 2.8 6.0 H 3.6 2.6 Tomara loam TM 5.1 19.8 19.8 12.2 Ca 2.2 5.9 5.9 2.2 Mg 1.8 10.0 10.0 5.8 K 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.3 Na 0.4 3.0 3.0 3.8 H 6.3 4.5 4.5 1.1 Tomara loam TM 10.4 26.1 26.1 Ca 4.4 8.5 8.5 Mg 4.2 12.2 12.2 K 0.6 0.9 0.9 Na 1.2 4.6 4.6 H 4.3 3.4 3.4 Mundiwa loam TM 8.8 23.8 23.8 26.1 3.9 Ca 3.4 6.8 6.8 6.5 1.0 Mg 3.9 11.6 11.6 11.9 1.8 K 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.1 Na 0.9 4.7 4.7 7.1 1.1 H 5.1 4.2 4.2 0.0 0.0


CEC - Cation exchange capacity, TM - Total metals, TI - Total Ions


Table 6-23: PART 2 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Mundiwa loam TM 10.8 23.8 23.8 26.2 Johnston 1953 Ca 4.3 8.1 8.1 7.1 Mg 4.8 10.6 10.6 11.7 K 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 Na 0.9 4.4 4.4 6.7 H Marah loam TM 16.3 28.6 28.6 3.6 Ca 6.1 9.1 9.1 1.1 Mg 6.8 12.6 12.6 1.6 K 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.1 Na 2.5 6.0 6.0 0.8 H 3.5 2.1 2.1 0.3 Marah loam TM 16.3 16.3 13.3 1.8 Ca 6.2 5.9 3.2 0.4 Mg 5.6 5.6 5.6 0.7 K 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.1 Na 2.8 3.1 4.0 0.5 H Marah loam TM 15.8 24.2 25.3 28.5 Ca 4.7 6.4 6.3 5.8 Mg 6.9 11.4 11.8 12.9 K 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 Na 3.1 5.4 6.3 8.9 H Tulla clay loam TM 18.9 28.3 14.2 7.4 Ca 8.7 12.4 6.2 2.1 Mg 7.4 11.8 5.9 3.7 K 1.2 1.3 0.6 0.2 Na 1.6 2.8 1.4 1.5 H 3.4 3.2 1.6 0.0 Tulla clay loam TM 5.2 29.4 29.4 3.7 10.3 11.0 Ca 2.1 11.5 11.5 1.4 3.3 3.6 Mg 2.4 14.4 14.4 1.8 5.3 5.7 K 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2 Na 0.4 3.1 3.1 0.4 1.5 1.6 H Yarraman clay loam TM 11.2 21.7 7.9 Ca 6.3 11.7 2.8 Mg 3.6 8.4 4.5 K 1.2 1.4 0.3 Na 0.1 0.3 0.3 H 5.1 3.9 Yarraman clay loam TM 7.0 16.3 23.0 23.0 Ca 4.0 9.1 12.8 12.8 Mg 1.5 5.6 7.9 7.9 K 1.3 1.5 2.1 2.1 Na 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 H


TM - Total metals


Table 6-24: PART 3 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Yarraman clay TM 30.0 12.0 Johnston 1953 Ca 16.3 2.9 Mg 11.1 6.0 K 2.3 0.4 Na 0.4 2.7 H 4.3 Yarraman clay TM 26.8 9.7 12.9 10.2 Ca 12.1 4.3 1.8 1.9 Mg 11.5 4.3 7.3 5.5 K 2.5 0.8 0.5 0.4 Na 0.7 0.3 3.3 2.5 H

5.0 1.5 0.2 1.9

Beremegad loam TM 15.2 32.0 32.0 Smith et al. 1943 Ca 4.5 7.0 7.0 Mg 4.0 11.8 11.8 K 2.1 6.4 6.4 Na 4.5 6.7 6.7 H Yallakool clay loam TM 7.8 15.6 15.6 15.6 42.6 Ca 1.7 3.4 3.4 3.4 6.8 Mg 4.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 22.5 K 1.6 3.3 3.3 3.3 12.8 Na 0.4 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.4 H Tulla clay loam TM 24.8 27.9 27.9 Ca 9.9 11.2 11.2 Mg 9.5 11.2 11.2 K 1.4 1.9 1.9 Na 3.9 3.6 3.6 H

TRBE TM Shields & Baker Ca 3.3 8.3 5.4 2002 Mg 3.9 13.0 8.8 K < 1.0 < 0.3 < 0.2 Na H TRBE TM Ca 3.2 5.1 4.2 Mg 3.6 8.5 6.8 K 0.7 0.4 0.4 Na H TRBE TM Ca 7.1 7.9 5.6 Mg 3.9 8.3 7.7 K 1.3 0.6 0.5 Na H


TM - Total metals


Table 6-25: PART 4 - Exchangeable cations for transitional red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Unnamed* (Jerilderie) TEC 12.0 31.0 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 2.4 8.4 Mg 2.2 11.0 K 1.0 1.3 Na 0.7 5.3 H Unnamed* (Conargo) TEC 10.0 33.0 Ca 2.3 13.0 Mg 1.6 9.8 K 0.6 0.9 Na 0.6 5.7 H Unnamed* (Deniliquin) TEC 39.0 33.0 Ca 14.0 11.0 Mg 14.0 14.0 K 1.3 1.0 Na 4.3 5.7

H

Summary data

Average Total** 15.7 23.1 25.9 18.7 12.4 13.2 Ca 7.8 9.3 9.8 7.3 4.9 3.5 Mg 6.5 12.1 13.2 11.8 8.5 7.0 K 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.1 1.4 0.3 Na 1.9 4.0 5.1 10.3 9.6 11.0 H 4.5 3.0 3.2 0.1 0.1 2.4 Lowest Total** 5.1 9.7 14.2 3.6 1.8 10.2 Ca 0.4 3.4 3.4 1.1 0.4 1.9 Mg 1.2 4.1 5.9 1.6 0.7 5.5 K 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.1 < 0.2 Na 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 1.6 H 3.4 1.2 1.6 0.0 0.0 1.1 Highest Total** 39.0 33.7 33.0 28.5 42.6 18.8 Ca 54.0 28.0 28.0 25.8 14.3 5.6 Mg 30.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 22.5 9.8 K 9.0 6.4 6.4 3.3 12.8 0.7 Na 7.0 21.0 21.0 50.0 68.3 54.5 H 6.3 4.5 4.5 0.3 0.2 4.3 Std. dev. Total** 9.1 7.1 5.7 10.0 13.8 3.1 Ca 10.2 5.5 5.5 7.3 4.1 1.5 Mg 6.0 9.6 9.5 13.3 6.8 1.4 K 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.1 3.8 0.2 Na 1.9 4.7 4.7 15.7 23.7 19.3 H 1.0 1.2 1.3 0.2 0.1 1.7 No. of samples Total** 22 18 16 9 7 6 0 Ca 26 18 16 10 11 10 0 Mg 26 18 16 10 11 10 0 K 26 18 16 10 11 10 0 Na 23 18 16 10 8 7 0

H 9 9 5 2 3 3 0

* Where the soil type in this group has not been identified location has been provided. ** Total represents of the measurement of CEC or calculation of total exchangeable cations or calculation total metal ions. CEC - Cation exchange capacity, TEC - Total exchangeable cations, TM - Total metals, TMI - Total metal ions, TI - Total Ions


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Cations (me/100g)D

epth

(m)

Ca

Mg

K

Na

H

Figure 6-9: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in transitional red

brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.

6.3. Summary of transitional red brown earths

6.3.1. Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity of transitional red brown earths tended to be low in the upper 0.6 m, however becoming moderate to highly saline with depth, with high EC occurring below 1 m depths.

6.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages tended to indicate higher sodicity with ESP in the 0.3 m layer being on average 7.3 indicating sodic soils. ESP was not well documented below 0.3 m.

6.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate For soils in both the Murray Valley and MIA/CIA the pH of the topsoil tends to be slightly acid at a pH of about 6.4 increasing to alkaline at a ph of around 8 with depth. The data for CaCO3 was limited.

6.3.4. Exchangeable cations The dominate cations in transitional red brown earths are Ca and Mg. There is a general trend in both areas for potassium concentrations to decrease with depth and sodium concentrations to increase with depth. For the Murray Valley potassium concentrations in the topsoil average 1.5 me/100g to an average of 0.36 me/100g at 1m. Average sodium concentrations range from 1.9 me/100g in the topsoil to 10.36 me/100g at 1m. In the MIA/CIA average potassium concentrations range from 1.1 me/100g to 0.5 me/100g at 1.5m.


sodium concentrations increase from an average of 0.79 me/100g in the topsoil to 4 me/100g at 1.5m. Murray Valley soils have a much higher sodium concentration.

7. Red brown earths

7.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes No data available.

7.2. Soils of the plains - subplastic subsoil group No data available.

7.3. Soils of the plains - plastic group

7.3.1. Soil salinity and sodicity Electrical conductivity measurements for plastic soils of the plains have been carried out by Loveday et al. (1978) for two Birganbigil sandy loams, Table 7.1. Table 7-1: Summary of electrical conductivity (dS/m) of plastic red brown earth soils of the

plains in the MIA and CIA

Depth Electric conductivity Author

(m) (dS/m)

0.1 0.12 0.18 0.15 0.12 Loveday et al.1978 0.2 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.3 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.4 0.06 0.18 0.06 0.06 0.6 0.24 0.24 0.06 0.12 0.8 0.27 0.30 0.18 0.18

ESP was calculated from studies conducted by Loveday et al. (1966) and Loveday et al. (1978) on Birganbigil fine sandy loams located in the CIA, Table 7-2. Table 7-2: Measurements of ESP (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.

Soil type Depth (m) Author 0.025 0.1 0.3

Birganbigil fine sandy loam 1.57 0.87 7.29 (average 3) Loveday 1966 Birganbigil sandy loam 0.92 3.61 (average 2) Loveday et al. 1978


7.3.2. Chemical properties Measurements of exchangeable cations of normal soils of the plains have been undertaken by Loveday et al. (1966) on three Birganbigil fine sandy loams located in the CIA. Exchangeable cations were also measured by Loveday et al. (1978) on two Birganbigil fine sandy loams at 0-0.1 and 0.2-0.3 m depths.

7.4. Red brown earths with subplastic properties


7.4.1.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 7-3: Measurements of pH in sub plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Ballingall loam pH 6.6 6.6 Taylor & Hooper 1938 Merungle loam pH 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.5 Hanwood loam pH 6.9 6.9 7.8 Hanwood sandy loam pH 7.3 7.3 8.2 8.2 9.2

Summary data

Average pH 6.9 6.9 7.5 7.7 9.2 Lowest pH 6.6 6.6 7.2 7.5 Highest pH 7.3 7.3 8.2 8.2 Std. dev. pH No. of samples pH 4 4 3 2 1

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

0 2 4 6 8 10

pH

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 7-1: Variation in average pH within and between depths in sub plastic red brown earth



7.4.1.2. Exchangeable cations Table 7-4: Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) in sub plastic red brown earth



0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Ballingall loam TEB 15.0 Taylor & Hooper 1938 Ca 10.8 Mg 2.9 K 1.1 Na 0.2 Merungle loam TEB 11.0 11.0 19.3 Ca 6.4 6.4 9.6 Mg 3.3 3.3 7.1 K 1.2 1.2 2.3 Na 0.1 0.1 0.5 Hanwood loam TEB 14.0 26.0 Ca 9.0 16.1 Mg 3.4 7.3 K 1.5 2.3 Na 0.1 0.3 Hanwood sandy loam TEB 12.0 21.8 24.0 22.0 Ca 7.3 10.7 10.0 8.6 Mg 3.2 8.2 10.3 9.7 K 1.3 2.1 2.0 1.8 Na

0.1 0.8 1.7 2.0

Summary data

Average TEB 13.0 19.6 21.6 22.0 Ca 8.4 11.1 9.8 8.6 Mg 3.2 6.3 8.7 9.7 K 1.3 1.9 2.2 1.8 Na 0.1 0.4 1.1 2.0 Lowest TEB 11.0 11.0 19.3 Ca 6.4 6.4 9.6 Mg 2.9 3.3 7.1 K 1.1 1.2 2.0 Na 0.1 0.1 0.5 Highest TEB 15.0 26.0 24.0 Ca 10.8 16.1 10.0 Mg 3.4 8.2 10.3 K 1.5 2.3 2.3 Na 0.2 0.8 1.7 Std. dev TEB 1.8 7.7 3.4 Ca 1.9 4.9 0.3 Mg 0.2 2.6 2.3 K 0.2 0.6 0.2 Na 0.0 0.4 0.8 No of samples TEB 4 3 2 1 Ca 4 3 2 1 Mg 4 3 2 1 K 4 3 2 1 Na 4 3 2 1

TEB - Total exchangeable bases


0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 2 4 6 8 10 12


epth

(m) Ca

MgKNa

Figure 7-2: Change in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in subplastic red

brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


7.5. Plastic red brown earths in the MIA and CIA


7.5.1.1. Total soluble salts and sodium chloride Table 7-5: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and NaCl (%) in plastic red brown earth



0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5

Birganbigil fine sandy loam NaCl 0.01 0.01 Loveday et al. 1966 TSS 0.01 0.03 (average of 4) Birganbigil fine sandy loam NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.02 0.03 Cobram sandy loam NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.02 0.02 Birganbigil sandy clay loam NaCl 0.01 0.03 TSS 0.04 0.05 Birganbigil Fine sandy loam NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.02 0.02

Summary data

Average NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.02 0.03 Lowest NaCl 0.01 0.01 TSS 0.01 0.02 Highest NaCl 0.01 0.03 TSS 0.04 0.05 Std. dev. NaCl 0.00 0.01 TSS 0.01 0.01 No. of samples NaCl 5 5

TSS 5 5

Table 7-6: Measurements of chloride (mg/kg) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA and

CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Birganbigil fine sandy loam Cl 40.0 20.0 30.0 25.0 23.3 Loveday et al. 1978 Thulabin sandy loam Cl 20.0 20.0 20.0 30.0 26.6 (average of 2) Birganbigil sandy loam Cl 40.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Cobram sandy loam Cl 52.5 52.5 62.5 111.0 98.9

Summary data

Average Cl 38.1 28.1 33.1 46.5 42.2 Lowest Cl 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 Highest Cl 52.5 52.5 62.5 111.0 98.9 Std. dev. Cl 13.4 16.3 20.1 43.2 37.9 No. of samples Cl 4 4 4 4 4



7.5.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 7-7: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA

and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Leeton clay loam pH 7.4 8.5 8.5 Taylor & Hooper 1938 CaCO3 Beelbangera clay loam pH 7.9 8.8 8.8 CaCO3 1.4 1.4 Bilbul loam pH 8 8 8.1 8.1 9.1 CaCO3 3.6

Birganbigil fine sandy laom pH 5.3 7.6 Loveday et al. 1966 CaCO3 (average of 4) Birganbigil fine sandy loam pH 5.6 7.6 CaCO3 Cobram sandy loam pH 5.9 7.5 CaCO3 0.82 Birganbigil sandy clay loam pH 5.8 8.5 CaCO3 0.11 Birganbigil fine sandy loam pH 5.42 7.43 CaCO3

Birganbigil fine sandy loam pH 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.6 7.4 Loveday et al. 1978 CaCO3 (average of 2) Thulabin sandy loam pH 5.9 6.5 6.6 7.2 8.6 CaCO3 Birganbigil sandy loam pH 6.5 7.1 7.6 8.2 9.1 CaCO3 Cobram sandy loam pH 6 7.4 8.3 8.8 7.8 CaCO3

Summary data

Average pH 5.8 6.8 7.1 7.1 7.9 CaCO3 1.40 0.78 3.60 Lowest pH 5.3 6.3 6.4 6.6 7.4 CaCO3 0.11 Highest pH 8.0 8.8 8.8 8.8 9.1 CaCO3 1.40 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.65 No. of samples pH 12 7 12 5 5 CaCO3 0 1 3 0 1


0.00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.91.01.11.2

0 2 4 6 8 10

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 7-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in plastic red brown earth soils in the

MIA and CIA.

7.5.2.2. Organic carbon Table 7-8: Measurement of organic carbon (%) in plastic red brown earth soils in the MIA

and CIA.


0-0.1

Birganbigil fine sandy loam (average of 4) 0.32 Loveday et al. 1966 Birganbigil fine sandy loam (average of 4) 0.52 Cobram sandy loam (average of 4) 0.93 Birganbigil sandy clay loam (average of 4) 0.53 Birganbigil Fine sandy loam (average of 4) 0.56

Summary data

Average 0.57 Lowest 0.32 Highest 0.93 Std. dev. 0.22 No. of samples 5


7.5.2.3. Exchangeable cations Table 7-9: PART 1 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown

earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Leeton clay loam TEC 14.0 26.0 26.0 Taylor & Hooper 1938 Ca 7.7 11.7 11.7 Mg 4.8 10.9 10.9 K 1.1 1.3 1.3 Na 0.6 2.1 2.1 H Beelbangera clay loam TEC 19.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 Ca 10.8 14.9 14.9 14.9 Mg 5.7 13.2 13.2 13.2 K 2.1 3.0 3.0 3.0 Na 0.4 2.0 2.0 2.0 H Bilbul loam TEC 22.0 22.0 31.0 31.0 27.0 Ca 14.5 14.5 16.7 16.7 10.5 Mg 5.3 5.3 11.5 11.5 11.9 K 2.0 2.0 2.2 2.2 1.9 Na 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.6 2.7 H

Birganbigil fine sandy loam TEC 8.6 24.9 Loveday et al. 1966 Ca 2.5 9.8 (average of 4) Mg 1.1 9.4 K 0.3 0.8 Na 0.1 1.3 H 4.6 3.8 Birganbigil fine sandy loam TEC 9.6 26.6 Ca 3.0 10.3 Mg 1.4 10.2 K 0.3 0.9 Na 0.1 1.5 H 4.8 3.8 Cobram sandy loam TEC 13.6 17.1 Ca 6.7 10.8 Mg 1.4 3.6 K 0.5 0.8 Na 0.0 H 4.9 2.5


TEC - total exchangeable cations


Table 7-10: PART 2 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Birganbigil sandy clay loam TEC 13.4 30.3 Loveday et al. 1966 Ca 5.4 14.7 (average of 4) Mg 2.0 11.1 K 0.6 1.2 Na 0.2 2.7 H 5.2 1.3 Birganbigil fine sandy loam TEC 9.4 24.1 Ca 2.8 9.5 Mg 1.3 8.7 K 0.4 0.9 Na 0.1 1.3

H 4.8 3.9

Birganbigil fine sandy loam TEC 11.4 20.6 Loveday et al. 1978 Ca 4.6 8.2 (average of 2) Mg 1.5 4.6 K 1.1 1.0 Na 0.0 0.3 H 4.2 6.7 Thulabin sandy loam TEC 9.8 18.4 Ca 3.2 8.8 Mg 0.7 4.4 K 1.0 1.3 Na 0.0 0.4 H 5.0 3.5 Birganbigil sandy loam TEC 13.5 30.3 Ca 5.6 11.6 Mg 3.1 13.0 K 0.8 1.5 Na 0.3 1.8 H 3.8 2.5 Cobram sandy loam TEC 10.6 19.0 Ca 3.1 7.8 Mg 2.0 6.6 K 0.5 0.4 Na 0.6 3.1

H 4.5 1.2




Table 7-11: PART 3 - Measurements of total exchangeable bases (me/100g) in red brown earth soils in the MIA and CIA.

Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Summary data

Average TEC 12.9 27.0 25.1 32.0 27.0 Ca 5.8 13.7 11.2 15.8 10.5 Mg 2.5 9.8 8.9 12.3 11.9 K 0.9 2.1 1.3 2.6 1.9 Na 0.2 1.4 1.4 1.3 2.7 H 4.6 3.2 Lowest TEC 8.6 22.0 17.1 31.0 Ca 2.5 11.7 7.8 14.9 Mg 0.7 5.3 3.6 11.5 K 0.3 1.3 0.4 2.2 Na 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.6 H 3.8 1.2 Highest TEC 22.0 33.0 33.0 33.0 Ca 14.5 14.9 16.7 16.7 Mg 5.7 13.2 13.2 13.2 K 2.1 3.0 3.0 3.0 Na 0.6 2.1 3.1 2.0 H 5.2 6.7 Std. dev. TEC 4.1 5.6 5.4 1.4 Ca 3.7 1.7 2.9 1.3 Mg 1.8 4.1 3.4 1.2 K 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.6 Na 0.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 H 0.4 1.7 No. of samples TEC 12 3 12 2 1 Ca 12 3 12 2 1 Mg 12 3 12 2 1 K 12 3 12 2 1 Na 11 3 12 2 1

H 9 0 9 0 0



0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1.0

0 5 10 15 20

me/100gD

epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 7-4: Average exchangeable cation variation with depth

7.6. Murray Valley irrigation areas


7.6.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 7-12: PART 1 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in red brown

earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Cobram loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.15 0.19 Smith 1945 Cl Cobram loam TSS 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.06 0.27 Cl 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.12 Cobram loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.21 0.18 Cl 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.07 0.05 Cobram loam TSS 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.15 0.23 Cl 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.07 Cobram loam TSS 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.16 0.19 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.05 Cobram loam TSS 0.04 0.14 0.25 0.55 0.77 0.65 0.63 0.58 Cl 0.00 0.05 0.11 0.23 0.33 0.27 0.27 0.24 Cobram loam TSS 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.05

Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01



Table 7-13: PART 2 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Cobram loam TSS 0.04 0.10 0.13 0.17 0.34 0.42 Smith 1945 Cl 0.03 0.14 0.10 Cobram loam TSS 0.03 0.06 0.07 0.32 0.52 0.55 0.52 0.55 Cl 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.11 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.18 Cobram loam TSS 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.17 0.17 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04 Cobram loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 Cl 0.01 0.01 Burraboi gravelly sandy loam TSS 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.09 0.15 0.14 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.04 Burraboi gravelly sandy loam TSS 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 Cl Naringaningalook loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cl 0.01 Naringaningalook loam TSS 0.03 0.06 0.07 0.09 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Naringaningalook loam TSS 0.03 0.08 0.21 0.32 0.27 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.07 0.05 Moira loam TSS 0.07 0.03 0.11 Cl 0.00 0.01 Moira loam TSS 0.02 0.06 0.38 0.40 0.42 0.41 Cl 0.00 0.02 0.10 0.06 0.09 0.11 Moira loam TSS 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.08 0.20 0.24 0.29 Cl 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.07 0.09 Moira loam TSS 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.14 0.24 0.28 Cl 0.01 0.04 0.07 0.08 Birganbigil loam TSS 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.14 0.31 0.49 Cl 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.08 0.12 Birganbigil loam TSS 0.03 0.11 0.11 0.25 0.42 0.49 Cl 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.11 0.12 0.12 Birganbigil loam TSS 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.14 0.14 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.03 Birganbigil loam TSS 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.23 0.30 0.31 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.08 0.07 Tuppal loam TSS 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.30 0.34 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.09 0.11 Tuppal loam TSS 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.09 0.17 0.24 0.36 Cl 0.05 0.11 Tuppal loam TSS 0.11 0.10 0.10 0.19 0.46 Cl 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 Tuppal loam TSS 0.01 0.06 0.06 0.25 0.35 0.33 0.29 Cl 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.08 0.10 0.09 0.08 "Unnamed" TSS 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 Cl "Unnamed" TSS 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.07 0.23 0.27 7.31 Cl 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.05





0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.24 0.39 Churchward 1956 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.10 0.23 Tulla clay loam TSS 0.08 0.13 0.25 0.49 0.63 Cl 0.04 0.07 0.16 0.32 0.39

Deniboota loam TSS 0.05 0.14 0.42 0.76 0.84 0.64 Quirk & Blackmore Cl 0.03 0.09 0.27 0.45 0.48 0.38 1955 Finley loam TSS 0.03 0.08 0.12 0.06 0.33 0.24 Cl 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.25 0.16 0.13

Deniboota sandy loam TSS 0.01 0.04 0.18 0.40 0.31 0.19 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.10 0.23 0.12 0.10 Deniboota loam TSS 0.04 0.12 0.32 0.41 0.45 0.39 0.51 Cl 0.02 0.07 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.20 Deniboota loam TSS 0.26 0.43 0.60 0.92 0.85 0.83 Cl 0.17 0.29 0.14 0.58 0.20 0.09 Deniboota loam TSS 0.06 0.25 0.25 0.23 0.32 Cl 0.04 0.16 0.16 0.18 Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.48 0.35 0.28 0.34 0.33 0.29 Cl 0.32 0.23 0.18 0.19 0.18 0.15 Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.07 0.11 0.12 0.14 0.09 0.08 Cl 0.03 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.05 0.04 Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.08 0.18 0.23 0.43 0.49 0.79 Cl 0.05 0.11 0.15 0.27 0.32 0.55 Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.54 0.44 0.41 0.39 0.40 0.44 0.57 Cl 0.54 0.44 0.24 0.22 0.23 0.27 0.33 Bunnaloo loam TSS 0.03 0.10 0.10 0.22 0.36 0.48 0.50 Cl 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.12 0.18 0.24 0.25 Womboota loam TSS 0.07 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.16 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.40 0.08 Womboota loam TSS 0.30 0.42 0.47 0.46 0.34 0.37 Cl 0.20 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.21 0.23 Womboota loam TSS 0.07 0.14 0.20 0.28 0.31 Cl 0.04 0.09 0.13 0.17 0.19 Womboota loam TSS 0.13 0.36 0.36 0.59 0.72 0.70 0.71 Cl 0.08 0.22 0.22 0.34 0.43 0.44 0.45 Womboota loam TSS 0.21 0.18 0.18 0.25 0.41 0.48 Cl 0.09 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.23 0.29 Thyra clay TSS 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.20 0.26 0.32 Cl 0.05 0.07 0.10 0.09 0.11 0.14 Stream bed soil type B TSS 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.06 0.02 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01





0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Katunga sandy loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.07 0.14 Johnston 1950 Cl 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.02 0.05 Finley loam TSS 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.31 Cl 0.00 0.02 0.05 0.17 Birganbigil loam TSS 0.03 0.08 0.42 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.13 Tuppal loam TSS 0.02 0.03 0.08 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02

Burraboi gravelly sandy loam TSS 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 Smith et al. 1943 Cl 0.01 0.01 Wakool sandy loam TSS 0.04 0.13 0.38 0.47 0.97 Cl 0.01 0.05 0.16 0.19 0.28 Wakool loam TSS 0.05 0.52 0.34 0.12 0.24 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.06 Beremegad sandy loam TSS 0.03 0.17 0.33 0.58 0.56 0.68 Cl 0.02 0.16 0.32 0.24 0.30 0.37

Summary data

Average TSS 0.07 0.11 0.13 0.22 0.32 0.35 0.74 0.50 Cl 0.04 0.07 0.08 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.18 0.18 Lowest TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.08 0.36 Cl 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.11 Highest TSS 0.54 0.52 0.60 0.92 0.97 0.83 7.31 0.58 Cl 0.54 0.44 0.32 0.58 0.48 0.44 0.55 0.24 Std. dev. TSS 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.21 0.22 0.19 1.56 0.12 Cl 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.14 0.12 0.11 0.15 0.07 No. of samples TSS 58 56 54 53 53 34 20 3

Cl 51 44 40 44 50 32 19 3


0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8

Total soluble salts and Cl (%)D

epth

(m)

TSS%Cl%

Figure 7-5: Change in average total soluble salts (%)and chloride (%) with depth in red brown



7.6.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 7-16: PART 1 - Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in red brown earth soils

in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Cobram loam pH 6.5 7.1 8.0 8.0 9.3 9.1 9.1 Smith1 945 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.0 6.9 8.3 8.3 9.0 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.2 6.5 7.6 8.8 9.1 9.1 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.1 6.7 8.3 8.3 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.8 8.0 8.0 8.8 8.9 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.1 8.2 8.2 8.7 8.7 7.9 7.9 6.7 CaCO3 0.05 0.05 Cobram loam pH 7.1 7.1 8.2 8.5 9.1 CaCO3 0.01 0.02



Table 7-17: PART 2 - Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Cobram loam pH 6.6 7.7 7.7 7.7 8.5 8.5 Smith1 945 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.4 8.2 8.2 8.9 8.9 8.6 8.6 7.9 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.6 8.4 8.4 8.4 9.4 9.4 CaCO3 Cobram loam pH 6.4 6.4 7.8 7.8 8.7 CaCO3 Burraboi gravelly sandy loam pH 6.0 6.0 7.3 7.3 8.1 8.8 8.9 CaCO3 Burraboi gravelly sandy loam pH 6.9 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.9 CaCO3 Naringaningalook loam pH 6.6 7.4 7.4 7.4 8.9 8.9 CaCO3 0.01 Naringaningalook loam pH 7.2 8.6 8.6 8.6 9.0 9.2 CaCO3 Naringaningalook loam pH 6.5 8.3 8.3 8.8 8.8 8.7 CaCO3 Moira loam pH 6.3 8.2 8.2 8.2 9.2 CaCO3 Moira loam pH 6.2 8.8 8.0 CaCO3 Moira loam pH 6.2 6.2 7.5 8.3 9.1 9.0 CaCO3 Moira loam pH 6.6 7.7 8.2 8.2 9.1 9.0 CaCO3 Birganbigil loam pH 5.6 5.6 7.9 7.9 9.1 8.9 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 Birganbigil loam pH 6.6 7.2 7.2 8.1 8.7 8.6 CaCO3 Birganbigil loam pH 6.2 8.1 8.1 8.1 9.2 9.1 CaCO3 Birganbigil loam pH 6.6 8.7 8.7 8.7 9.1 9.0 CaCO3 Tuppal loam pH 6.6 8.0 8.0 8.0 9.0 8.8 CaCO3 Tuppal loam pH 6.1 6.1 8.0 8.0 9.1 8.9 CaCO3 Tuppal loam pH 6.1 7.6 7.6 8.7 8.4 CaCO3 Tuppal loam pH 6.4 8.1 8.1 8.7 8.7 CaCO3 "Unnamed" pH 6.5 6.5 7.2 7.2 CaCO3 "Unnamed" pH 6.2 6.2 6.9 6.9 8.8 8.3 8.6 CaCO3





0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Bunnaloo loam pH 7.4 8.6 8.6 9.4 8.7 Churchward 1956 CaCO3 Tulla clay loam pH 7.0 7.3 7.3 7.3 8.0

CaCO3

Deniboota loam pH 7.6 7.6 8.1 8.7 8.8 8.3 Quirk & Blackmore CaCO3 0.01 0.50 0.66 0.01 1955 Finley loam pH 6.5 7.4 7.4 8.5 8.9 8.5

CaCO3 0.19 0.53 0.02

Deniboota sandy loam pH 5.9 6.7 6.7 7.7 9.1 8.8 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 Deniboota loam pH 5.9 6.2 7.6 8.8 9.0 8.8 8.5 CaCO3 2.20 2.90 0.42 0.21 Deniboota loam pH 5.9 7.3 8.1 8.6 8.8 8.0 CaCO3 0.61 2.30 Deniboota loam pH 6.3 7.6 7.6 9.0 8.6 8.2 6.3 CaCO3 2.30 0.33 Bunnaloo loam pH 5.7 7.6 7.6 8.6 9.2 9.3 CaCO3 0.04 0.51 0.28 Bunnaloo loam pH 6.5 7.9 9.1 9.3 8.7 CaCO3 1.57 0.11 Bunnaloo loam pH 6.6 8.3 8.3 9.0 9.0 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 2.90 0.12 Bunnaloo loam pH 6.0 7.3 8.8 9.2 9.2 8.3 7.0 CaCO3 0.39 1.16 0.76 Bunnaloo loam pH 6.1 7.8 7.8 9.2 9.3 7.4 5.6 CaCO3 1.10 0.32 Womboota loam pH 7.1 8.3 8.3 8.9 9.3 CaCO3 0.18 0.18 3.00 0.19 Womboota loam pH 5.8 7.4 8.9 8.9 7.7 5.5 CaCO3 0.79 0.06 Womboota loam pH 6.1 7.4 9.2 9.2 8.2 7.8 CaCO3 3.70 0.27 Womboota loam pH 6.0 7.9 7.9 8.9 8.9 8.1 7.7 CaCO3 0.56 0.45 0.02 Womboota loam pH 6.2 8.2 8.2 9.3 8.3 8.4 7.7 CaCO3 0.01 0.01 2.10 0.45 Thyra clay pH 6.4 8.7 9.1 9.3 9.2 5.5 CaCO3 3.60 5.80 3.20 0.41 Stream bed soil type B pH 6.3 6.7 7.6 5.9 6.6 6.6

CaCO3





0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Katunga sandy loam pH 6.4 6.4 7.9 9.2 9.4 Johnston 1950 CaCO3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Finley loam pH 6.1 6.3 8.1 8.6 8.5 8.9 CaCO3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.79 0.00 0.00 Birganbigil loam pH 5.7 7.7 8.9 CaCO3 0.00 0.00 3.92 Tuppal loam pH 6.1 7.0 8.9 CaCO3

Burraboi gravelly sandy loam pH 6.1 6.3 6.3 7.3 8.4 Smith et al. 1943 CaCO3 Wakool sandy loam pH 6.0 6.0 7.7 8.7 8.8 CaCO3 Wakool loam pH 6.2 8.1 8.5 8.5 8.6 8.8 CaCO3 Beremegad sandy loam pH 6.8 7.5 8.7 8.7 8.5 CaCO3

"Unnamed" pH 5.8 8.3 7.8 Shields & Baker CaCO3 2002

Birganbigil loam pH 5.2 Humphreys& Barrs CaCO3 1998

Summary data

Average pH 6.1 6.7 7.5 8.0 7.6 7.1 6.4 7.0 CaCO3 0.00 0.48 0.81 1.30 0.76 0.13 0.07 Lowest pH 5.2 5.6 6.3 6.9 5.9 5.5 5.5 6.7 CaCO3 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Highest pH 7.6 8.7 9.1 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 7.9 CaCO3 0.01 3.60 5.80 3.70 3.92 0.42 0.21 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.01 1.26 2.02 1.23 1.05 0.18 0.12 No. of samples pH 60 55 50 56 55 41 18 2 CaCO3 4 8 8 20 20 6 3 0


0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.82.02.22.42.62.83.03.2

0 2 4 6 8 10

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 7-6: Variation in pH within and between depths in red brown earth soils in the Murray

Valley.

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7


Dep

th (m

)

Figure 7-7: Variation in CaCO3 (%) within and between depths in red brown earth soils in the

Murray Valley.


7.6.2.2. Exchangeable cations Table 7-20: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in red brown earth



0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Cobram loam TMI 8.9 15.3 21.7 Smith 1945 Ca 4.5 5.5 6.5 Mg 2.7 6.9 11.1 K 1.3 1.3 1.3 Na 0.3 1.5 2.8 H Cobram loam TMI 8.7 8.7 7.8 15.6 19.7 Ca 5.4 5.4 4.7 7.6 7.3 Mg 1.7 1.7 2.0 6.0 9.1 K 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.5 2.1 Na 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.6 1.2 H Burraboi gravelly sandy loam TMI 4.1 4.1 3.6 4.2 8.2 12.0 Ca 2.6 2.6 2.1 2.3 3.5 4.0 Mg 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.3 3.2 5.9 K 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.8 1.2 Na 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6 1.0 H Naringaningalook loam TMI 9.0 14.4 19.7 20.9 Ca 5.2 7.1 8.9 9.0 Mg 2.4 5.6 8.7 9.7 K 1.2 1.5 1.8 1.7 Na 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 H Birganbigil loam TMI 7.8 9.8 16.0 16.0 Ca 2.9 3.7 5.6 5.6 Mg 3.7 4.7 7.8 7.8 K 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.5 Na 0.9 1.1 2.1 2.1 H

Deniboota loam TMI Quirk & Blackmore Ca 0.6 2.2 7.0 12.1 18.0 15.8 1955 Mg 0.9 2.5 7.4 18.9 32.0 29.0 K 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.8 Na 11.0 28.3 80.0 128.9 172.2 158.3 H Finley loam TMI Ca 0.8 1.2 1.5 4.9 6.9 5.0 Mg 0.7 1.5 2.2 5.8 9.7 6.3 K 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 Na 7.2 11.6 16.0 40.5 60.4 53.5 H


TMI - Total metal ions


Table 7-21: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in red brown earth soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Deniboota sandy loam TMI 3.3 Johnston 1953 Ca 1.7 Mg 0.7 K 0.7 Na 0.2 H Deniboota loam TMI 5.5 22.0 Ca 3.2 9.2 Mg 1.2 8.8 K 1.0 1.1 Na 0.1 2.8 H 5.8 2.1 Deniboota loam TMI 8.7 19.8 19.8 Ca 3.2 6.0 6.0 Mg 3.3 8.2 8.2 K 0.9 1.6 1.6 Na 1.3 4.1 4.1 H Deniboota loam TMI 9.0 22.7 22.0 Ca 3.9 8.3 7.8 Mg 3.5 10.0 9.8 K 0.8 0.9 0.8 Na 0.8 3.5 3.7 H 3.4 0.0 0.0 Bunnaloo loam TMI 8.4 14.4 17.3 7.9 Ca 3.7 5.8 6.8 0.8 Mg 3.0 5.6 6.9 4.4 K 1.2 1.2 1.1 0.3 Na 0.5 1.8 2.5 2.4 H 4.4 2.6 1.7 Bunnaloo loam TMI 11.8 18.7 18.7 Ca 7.2 6.6 6.6 Mg 2.5 8.5 8.5 K 1.8 1.8 1.8 Na 0.2 1.8 1.8 H Bunnaloo loam TMI 8.3 23.5 23.5 Ca 3.6 7.5 7.5 Mg 2.4 11.5 11.5 K 1.6 0.8 0.8 Na 0.7 3.7 3.7 H Bunnaloo loam TMI 7.3 18.5 22.5 Ca 3.0 4.6 2.4 Mg 2.8 9.8 11.8 K 1.1 1.5 0.8 Na 0.3 2.6 7.8 H 6.0 2.3 0.0






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Bunnaloo loam TMI 7.1 18.6 Johnston 1953 Ca 3.7 6.6 Mg 2.1 9.1 K 1.2 1.1 Na 0.1 0.8 H Womboota loam TMI 20.7 24.0 24.0 21.1 Ca 14.0 12.9 12.9 5.7 Mg 4.6 8.7 8.7 8.9 K 1.9 1.8 1.8 0.6 Na 0.2 0.6 0.6 5.9 H 3.5 0.0 0.0 8.3 Womboota loam TMI 7.2 18.4 9.6 Ca 3.1 5.2 1.1 Mg 2.8 9.5 5.7 K 0.8 0.9 0.2 Na 0.5 2.7 2.5 H 5.9 2.7 3.9 Womboota loam TMI 8.5 18.0 11.2 Ca 4.2 6.3 1.7 Mg 2.9 8.8 6.3 K 1.2 1.2 0.4 Na 0.3 1.7 2.8 H 5.4 2.4 1.4 Womboota loam TMI 4.2 19.5 19.5 19.9 Ca 1.5 5.1 5.1 4.0 Mg 1.4 8.4 8.4 8.3 K 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 Na 0.3 7.1 H 3.8 Womboota loam TMI 6.4 24.8 24.8 18.1 Ca 1.9 7.3 7.3 1.8 Mg 2.8 13.1 13.1 9.5 K 1.3 0.8 0.8 0.5 Na 0.4 3.6 3.6 6.3 H Stream bed soil type B TMI 11.6 9.2 3.9 Ca 7.5 3.0 0.9 Mg 2.6 4.9 2.4 K 1.4 0.5 0.2 Na 0.1 0.8 0.5 H






0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Katunga sandy loam TMI 7.2 7.4 Johnston 1950 Ca 4.4 2.5 Mg 1.8 3.8 K 0.9 0.4 Na 0.1 0.7 H Finley loam TMI 9.7 18.2 Ca 5.3 5.6 Mg 2.8 10.0 K 1.5 1.1 Na 0.1 3.3 H Birganbigil loam TMI 8.1 27.5 Ca 4.4 11.5 Mg 2.2 13.2 K 1.4 1.4 Na 0.2 1.4 H

Wakool sandy loam TMI 3.9 3.9 15.4 Smith et al. 1943 Ca 0.0 0.0 6.9 Mg 1.1 1.1 5.2 K 0.3 0.3 3.1 Na 0.9 0.9 0.2 H

"Unnamed" TM Shields & Baker Ca 2.5-3 4.3-5 2002 Mg 1.1-1.5 9 K 7.8 8.4 Na H


TMI - Total metal ions, TM - Total metals



Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Summary data

Average TM 8.3 17.1 18.4 10.9 13.9 7.9 17.1 Ca 3.9 5.8 6.6 5.4 8.1 5.3 2.8 Mg 2.3 7.1 7.7 6.5 12.6 9.6 8.4 K 1.3 1.0 1.1 0.7 2.4 0.5 0.5 Na 1.1 3.6 7.5 19.4 58.6 43.1 5.4 H 4.8 1.7 1.0 3.4 Lowest TM 3.9 3.9 3.6 3.3 8.2 3.9 9.6 Ca 0.0 0.0 1.5 1.7 3.5 0.8 1.1 Mg 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.7 3.2 2.4 5.7 K 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Na 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.5 2.5 H 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 Highest TM 20.7 27.5 24.8 20.9 19.7 12.0 22.5 Ca 14.0 12.9 12.9 12.1 18.0 15.8 5.7 Mg 4.6 13.2 13.1 18.9 32.0 29.0 11.8 K 7.8 1.8 3.1 1.7 8.4 1.2 0.8 Na 11.0 28.3 80.0 128.9 172.2 158.3 7.8 H 6.0 2.7 2.1 8.3 Std. dev. TM 3.4 6.7 5.7 6.6 8.2 4.0 5.4 Ca 2.7 3.0 2.5 3.5 5.8 6.1 1.7 Mg 1.0 3.9 3.3 5.5 11.2 11.0 2.2 K 1.4 0.5 0.7 0.5 3.4 0.5 0.2 Na 2.5 6.3 19.0 43.1 80.8 68.2 2.2 H 1.1 1.3 1.1 3.6 No. of samples TM 23 19 16 7 2 3 6 Ca 26 21 18 9 5 5 6 Mg 26 21 18 9 5 5 6 K 26 21 18 9 5 5 6 Na 25 20 17 9 4 5 6

H 8 6 4 0 0 0 4

TMI - Total metal ions, TM - Total metals


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60


epth

(m)

Ca MgKNaH

Figure 7-8: Changes in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in red brown


7.7. Summary of red brown earth soils

7.7.1. Soils of the upper hillslopes No data available.

7.7.2. Soils of the plains - subplastic subsoil group No data available.

7.7.3. Soils of the plains - plastic group

7.7.3.1. Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity measurements of normal soils of the plains were not well documented. From the data collected it did not appear that plastic soils of the plains were saline at least until a 0.8 m depth.

7.7.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages increased with depth and sodicity was evident a 0.3 m depth with an ESP of 7.3 %.


7.7.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate The general pH trend for non subplastic soils in the MIA/CIA is slightly acid, average pH of 6.3 in the topsoil increasing to moderately alkaline, average pH of 8.4 at depth. There was a similar trend in pH for soils in the Murray Valley. Very little data on calcium carbonate, an average of 0.78% in the topsoil increasing to 3.6% in the subsoil.

7.7.3.4. Exchangeable cations The dominant cations in non subplastic soils in the MIA/CIA are calcium and magnesium. There is a general trend for both potassium and sodium of increasing concentrations with depth. Potassium increased from 2.5 me/100g in the topsoil to 7 me/100g at 1m. Sodium increased from 0.7 me/100g in the topsoil to 10 me/100g at 1m.

8. Sands over clay



8.1.1.1. Electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity measurements of sands over clay soils have been undertaken by Loveday et al. (1978) for Cobram and Thulabin sandy loams located in the MIA. Two replications were undertaken at each site and mean electrical conductivity of a 1:5 water suspension to a 0.8 m depth is shown in Table 8-1. Table 8-1: Measurements of electrical conductivity (dS/m) in sands over clay soils in the MIA

and CIA.


0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.8

Thulabin sandy loam 0.135 0.030 0.045 0.060 0.090 0.255 Loveday et al 1978Cobram sandy loam 0.105 0.090 0.075 0.135 0.390 0.730

8.1.1.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percent (ESP) of sands over clay soils have been calculated from measurements made of exchangeable cations by Loveday et al. (1966) for two Danberry loamy sands and a Cobram sandy loam located in the CIA and by Loveday et al. (1978) for a Thulabin sandy loam and Cobram sandy loam located in the MIA, Table 8-2. Variation of ESP with depth for all of the above mentioned studies is shown in Figure 8-1.


Table 8-2: Measurements of ESP (%) in sands over clay soils in the MIA and CIA.


0.1 0.2 0.3

Danberry loamy sand (average 2) 0.42 0.20 Loveday et al. 1966Cobram sandy loam (average 2) 0.36 0.24 3.65

Thulabin sandy loam 2.31 Loveday et al. 1878Cobram sandy loam 5.20 16.02

Figure 8-1: Variation of ESP (%) within and between depths in sands over clay soils in the

MIA and CIA

8.1.1.3. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 8-3: Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and NaCl (%) in sands over clays in the

MIA and CIA.


% 0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Danberry loamy sand NaCl 0.003 0.007 Loveday et al. 1966 TSS 0.020 0.020 (average of 4) Danberry loamy sand NaCl 0.005 0.010 TSS 0.02 0.020

ppm

Unnamed* (West Coleambally) NaCl 347 1100 1600 1750 Loveday et al. 1983 TSS


0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0 5 10 15 20 25

ESP

Dep

th (m

)



8.1.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 8-4: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1

Danberry loamy sand pH 5.7 7.5 Loveday et al. 1966 CaCO3 Danberry loamy sand pH 5.8 7.5 CaCO3 Yandera sandy loam pH 7.4 Taylor & Hooper 1938 CaCO3 Yambil sandy loam pH 8 CaCO3 Unnamed* (West Coleambally) pH 6.2 8.0 8.3 7.9 Loveday et al. 1983 CaCO3 0.04

Summary data

Average pH 5.9 7.6 7.7 7.9 CaCO3 0.04 Lowest pH 5.7 7.5 7.4 CaCO3 Highest pH 6.2 8.0 8.3 CaCO3 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 No. of samples pH 3 0 3 3 1 CaCO3 0 0 1 0 0


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

pH

Dep

th (m

)

Figure 8-2: Variation of pH within and between depths in sand over clay soils in the MIA and

CIA


8.1.2.2. Organic carbon Table 8-5: Measurements of organic carbon (%) in sands over clays in the MIA and CIA.


0-0.1

Danberry loamy sand Organic carbon 0.80 Loveday et al. 1966 Danberry loamy sand Organic carbon 0.85 (average of 4)

Unnamed* (West Coleambally) Organic carbon 1.50 Loveday et al. 1983


8.1.2.3. Exchangeable cations Table 8-6: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clay



0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5

Danberry loamy sand Total 10.3 24.3 Loveday et al. 1966 Ca 5.1 12.6 (average of 4) Mg 1.0 7.7 K 0.4 1.0 Na 0.1 0.7 H 3.8 2.4 Danberry loamy sand Total 11.0 24.3 Ca 4.6 12.2 Mg 1.2 7.5 K 0.5 0.9 Na 0.1 1.0 H 4.7 2.7

Yandera sandy loam Total 18.0 Taylor & Hooper 1938 Ca 8.8 Mg 7.2 K 1.4 Na 0.5 H Yambil sandy loam Total 18.0 Ca 4.1 Mg 10.4 K 1.4 Na 2.0 H

Unnamed* (West Coleambally) Total 21.2 32.0 Loveday et al. 1983 Ca 6.1 12.0 Mg 6.1 14.0 K 1.1 0.9 Na 2.8 5.5 H



Table 8-7: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clay soils in the MIA and CIA

Soil type Depth (m)

0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5

Summary data

Average Total 14.2 26.9 18.0 Ca 5.3 12.2 6.5 Mg 2.8 9.7 8.8 K 0.6 0.9 1.4 Na 1.0 2.4 1.3 H 4.2 2.5 Lowest Total 10.3 24.3 18.0 Ca 4.6 12.0 4.1 Mg 1.0 7.5 7.2 K 0.4 0.9 1.4 Na 0.1 0.7 0.5 H 3.8 2.4 Highest Total 21.2 32.0 18.0 Ca 6.1 12.6 8.8 Mg 6.1 14.0 10.4 K 1.1 1.0 1.4 Na 2.8 5.5 2.0 H 4.7 2.7 Std. dev. Total 6.1 4.4 0.0 Ca 0.7 0.3 3.3 Mg 2.9 3.7 2.3 K 0.4 0.1 0.0 Na 1.6 2.7 1.0 H 0.6 0.2 No. of samples Total 3 3 2 Ca 3 3 2 Mg 3 3 2 K 3 3 2 Na 3 3 2 H 2 0 2 0



0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14


epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 8-3: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in the MIA

and CIA.




8.2.1.1. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 8-8: Measurements of TSS (%) and Cl (%) in sand over clay soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Katunga gravelly loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 Smith 1945 Cl 0.01 Katunga gravelly loam TSS 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.11 0.15 0.16 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.04

Danberry sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.27 0.40 Chruchward 1956 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.14 0.21 Whymoul sand TSS 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.03 0.12 0.35 0.52 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.06 0.16 0.28 Wettupa sand TSS 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.07 0.03 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Wettuppa sandy loam TSS 0.20 0.01 0.02 0.06 0.08 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

Purdanima sand TSS 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.16 0.15 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.60 0.09 0.07 Purdanima sandy loam TSS 0.02 0.02 0.19 0.19 0.13 Cl

Finley sandy loam TSS 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.04 Johnston 1950 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Woperana sandy loam TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Woperana sandy loam TSS 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.11 0.14 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 Yalgadoori clay loam TSS 0.03 0.02 0.18 0.28 0.17 Cl 0.01 0.02 0.08 0.10 0.07

Wettuppa loamy sand TSS 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.23 0.30 Smith et al. 1943 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.09 Wettuppa sandy loam TSS 0.02 0.02 0.11 0.27 0.42 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.13

Summary Data

Average TSS 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.09 0.15 0.17 0.29 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.07 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.14 Lowest TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.08 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Highest TSS 0.20 0.05 0.11 0.27 0.42 0.35 0.52 Cl 0.01 0.03 0.60 0.09 0.14 0.16 0.28 Std. dev. TSS 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.08 0.12 0.11 0.20 Cl 0.00 0.01 0.19 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.13 No. of samples TSS 14 14 12 13 13 8 4 Cl 11 12 10 11 12 7 4

TSS - Total soluble salts


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30

Total soluble salts and chloride (%)D

epth

(m)

TSS%Cl%

Figure 8-4: Change in average total soluble salts (%)and chloride (%) with depth in sand over

clay soils in the Murray Valley.



8.2.2.1. pH and calcium carbonate Table 8-9: Measurements of pH and CaCO3 (%) in sand over clay soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Katunga gravelly loam pH 6.3 6.3 6.4 6.4 6.0 Smith 1945 CaCO3 Katunga gravelly loam pH 7.1 8.7 8.7 8.6 8.6 9.3 9.3 CaCO3 0.01 0.06 0.06 0.02

Danberry sand pH 6.3 8.3 9.1 9.4 9.5 Churchward 1956 CaCO3 Whymoul sand pH 6.4 7.9 9.1 9.6 CaCO3 Wetuppa sand pH 6.8 7.8 9.0 9.3 CaCO3 Wetuppa sandy loam pH 7.6 7.9 8.2 9.1 9.4 CaCO3

Purdanima sand pH 6.1 6.1 6.7 6.7 7.9 9.3 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 0.07 Purdanima sandy loam pH 5.8 7.1 8.4 9.3 9.5 9.7 CaCO3 0.01 5.70 0.10 0.11

Finley sandy loam pH 6.1 6.5 6.2 6.0 8.7 8.9 Johnston 1950 CaCO3 Woperana sandy loam pH 6.3 7.0 7.0 7.2 7.0 7.1 7.1 CaCO3 Woperana sandy loam pH 6.2 7.0 7.0 7.7 8.7 8.4 CaCO3 Yalgadoori clay loam pH 7.6 7.6 8.8 9.2 9.1 CaCO3

Wetuppa loamy sand pH 7.6 7.6 8.5 8.5 9.2 9.3 Smith et al. 1943 CaCO3 Wetuppa sandy loam pH 6.9 6.9 7.9 8.8 9.2 CaCO3

Summary data

Average pH 6.4 6.8 6.9 6.9 7.1 7.9 7.7 CaCO3 0.01 0.06 0.06 0.02 5.70 0.10 0.09 Lowest pH 5.8 6.1 6.2 6.0 6.0 7.1 7.1 CaCO3 0.01 0.07 Highest pH 7.6 8.7 9.1 9.4 9.6 9.5 9.7 CaCO3 0.02 0.11 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 0.01 0.03 No. of samples pH 14 12 12 14 14 7 4 CaCO3 1 1 1 2 1 1 2


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 8-5: Variation in pH within and between depths in sands over clay in the Murray

Valley.

8.2.2.2. Exchangeable cations Table 8-10: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in

the Murray Valley).


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Katunga gravelly loam Total 7.7 6.9 6.0 6.7 Smith 1945 Ca 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.7 Mg 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.5 K 1.4 0.8 0.3 0.3 Na 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 H

Purdanima sand Total 4.7 4.0 Johnston 1953 Ca 3.2 0.9 Mg 1.1 2.1 K 0.3 0.2 Na < 0.1 0.8 H 4.6 Purdanima sandy loam Total 3.1 8.6 Ca 1.9 2.6 Mg 0.7 3.5 K 8.5 0.4 Na < 0.1 2.1 H



Table 8-11: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cation (me/100g) in sands over clays in the Murray Valley).


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2

Woperana sandy loam Total 9.8 15.2 Johnston 1950 Ca 6.6 8.0 Mg 1.9 5.8 K 1.3 0.9 Na 0.1 0.5 H

Wetuppa loamy sand Total 9.6 9.6 13.8 Smith et al. 1943 Ca 5.7 5.7 8.1 Mg 2.5 2.5 4.5 K 0.3 0.3 0.4 Na 1.2 1.2 0.7 H

Summary data

Average Total 7.0 8.2 11.7 6.7 8.6 4.0 Ca 4.5 5.4 7.0 4.7 2.6 0.9 Mg 1.4 1.7 3.7 1.5 3.5 2.1 K 2.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 Na 0.3 0.6 0.4 0.2 2.1 0.8 H 4.6 Lowest Total 3.1 6.9 6.0 Ca 1.9 5.1 4.8 Mg 0.7 0.9 0.8 K 0.3 0.3 0.3 Na < 0.1 0.1 0.1 H Highest Total 9.8 9.6 15.2 Ca 6.6 5.7 8.1 Mg 2.5 2.5 5.8 K 8.5 0.8 0.9 Na 1.2 1.2 0.7 H Std. dev. Total 3.0 1.9 4.9 Ca 1.9 0.4 1.9 Mg 0.7 1.1 2.6 K 3.5 0.4 0.3 Na 0.5 0.7 0.3 H No. of samples Total 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 Ca 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 Mg 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 K 5 2 3 1 0 1 1 Na 5 2 3 1 0 1 1

H 1 0 0 0 0 0 0


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


epth

(m)

CaMgKNaH

Figure 8-6: Changes in average exchangeable cations (me/100g) with depth in sand over clay


8.3. Summary of sand over clay soils

8.3.1. Electrical conductivities Electrical conductivity measurements for sands over clay soils indicated that profiles are not saline at least until a 0.8 m depth.

8.3.2. Exchangeable sodium percentage Exchangeable sodium percentages were also moderate to a 0.3 m depth however there was some rather high ESP measurements in this group.

8.3.3. pH and calcium carbonate For soils in the MIA/CIA the trend in pH of sands over clays is slightly acid, an average pH of 5.9 in the topsoil and increases to moderately alkaline, almost pH of 8 in the subsoil. The pH of sand over clay soils follows a similar trend in the Murray Valley. The average pH increases from 6.8 in the topsoil to nearly 8 at 1m. There is very little data on calcium carbonate, the little data available shows it to be low, except for high concentrations in cemented layers in a Purdanima sandy loam in the Murray Valley.


8.3.4. Exchangeable cations The dominate exchangeable cations are Ca and Mg. The Murray Valley soils have an increased amount of Ca and Mg in the topsoil which decreases with depth. The soils in the MIA and CIA follow the opposite trend where Ca and Mg increase with depth. In the MIA/CIA potassium and sodium also increase with depth. In the Murray Valley there is no obvious trend in sodium with depth and potassium decreases down the profile.

9. Deep sandy soils

9.1. Murrumbidgee and Coleambally irrigation areas There was no data found for these soils in the MIA and CIA.



9.2.1.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage Table 9-1: Measurements of EC (dS/m) an exchangeable sodium percentage (%) in deep

sand soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Deep sand EC < 0.1 <0.1 < 0.1 Shields & Baker ESP 2 5 3 2002 Cl < 10 <10 < 10

Deep sand EC 0.13 0.03 0.49 ESP 2 5 0.9 Cl 30 10 530

9.2.1.2. Total soluble salts and chloride Table 9-2: PART 1 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in deep sand



0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Sandmount sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 Smith 1945 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Sandmount sand TSS 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Cl Sand TSS 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01



Table 9-3: PART 2 - Measurements of total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) in deep sand soils in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Sandmount sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 Johnston 1953 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Sandmount sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.09 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 Stream bed soil A TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Cl 0.01 0.01

Sandmount sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Johnston 1950 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01

Sandmount sand TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.05 Smith et al. 1943 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.02 Burraboi gravelly sand TSS 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.06 Cl 0.01 0.02

Summary data Data

Average TSS 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 Lowest TSS 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 Highest TSS 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.09 0.06 0.05 Cl 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.02 0.02 Std. dev. TSS 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.01 Cl 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 No. of samples TSS 9 8 8 9 9 8 4 2 Cl 6 4 5 5 6 6 4 2

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05

Total soluble salts and chloride (%)

Dep

th (m

)

TSS%

Cl%

Figure 9-1: Change in average total soluble salts (%) and chloride (%) with depth in deep

sand soils in the Murray Valley.



9.2.2.1. Exchangeable cations Table 9-4: PART 1 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) for deep sands in the

Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Sandmount sand Total 9.0 Johnston 1953 Ca 4.2 Mg 2.6 K 0.3 Na 0.2 H 1.7 Sandmount sand Total 4.6 7.1 Ca 2.9 3.0 Mg 0.9 3.3 K 0.7 0.2 Na 0.0 0.6 H 2.8 Stream bed Soil A Total 1.6 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.5 Ca 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.9 Mg 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 K 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Na 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 H

Sandmount sand Total 3.0 2.2 Johnston 1950 Ca 2.2 1.7 Mg 0.4 0.3 K 0.0 0.0 Na 0.5 0.2 H

Burraboi gravelly sand Total 6.7 6.7 6.4 Smith et al. 1943 Ca 4.7 4.7 4.2 Mg 1.1 1.1 1.5 K 0.0 0.0 0.1 Na 0.9 0.9 0.6 H


Total - Total ions


Table 9-5: PART 2 - Measurements of exchangeable cations (me/100g) for deep sands in the Murray Valley.


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5

Deep sand Total 3.7 1.7 2.7 Shields & Baker Ca 2.5 1.1 1.4 2002 Mg 0.6 0.5 1.1 K 0.6 0.1 0.2 Na H Deep sand Total 5.3 6.2 6.9 Ca 1.9 1.5 2.5 Mg 3.0 4.6 4.1 K 0.5 0.1 0.3 Na H

Summary data

Average Total 4.2 3.3 3.6 0.9 5.0 3.7 Ca 2.5 2.3 2.3 0.4 2.1 1.6 Mg 1.1 0.6 0.9 0.3 2.3 1.9 K 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 Na 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 H 2.8 1.7 Lowest Total 1.6 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.5 Ca 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.9 Mg 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 K 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 Na 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 H Highest Total 6.7 6.7 6.4 9.0 6.9 Ca 4.7 4.7 4.2 4.2 2.5 Mg 3.0 1.1 1.5 4.6 4.1 K 0.7 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 Na 0.9 0.9 0.6 0.6 H Std. dev. Total 1.8 3.0 3.9 3.5 2.8 Ca 1.3 2.2 2.7 1.5 0.8 Mg 1.0 0.4 0.9 1.8 2.0 K 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Na 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 H No samples Total 6 3 2 1 5 3 Ca 6 3 2 1 5 3 Mg 6 3 2 1 5 3 K 6 3 2 1 5 3 Na 4 3 2 1 3 1 H 1 0 0 0 1 0

Total - Total ions


0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0


epth

(m)

Ca

Mg

K

Na

H

Figure 9-2: Change in average exchangeable cation (me/100g) with depth in the Murray

Valley.


9.2.2.2. pH and calcium carbonate Table 9-6: Measurements of pH and calcium carbonate (%) in deep sands in the Murray

Valley


0-0.1 0.1-0.2 0.2-0.3 0.3-0.5 0.5-1 1-1.5 1.5-2 2-3

Sandmount sand pH 6.5 6.5 6.5 7.8 7.8 8.8 9.0 9.2 Smith 1945 CaCO3 Sandmount sand pH 6.4 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.7 7.7 7.7 CaCO3 Sand over residual granite pH 6.0 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.8 6.3 CaCO3

Sandmount sand pH 6.9 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.7 Johnston 1953 CaCO3 Sandmount sand pH 6.4 7.1 7.1 7.6 8.4 9.6 CaCO3 0.01 3.40 Stream bed soil type A pH 6.4 5.6 5.6 5.6 6.4 6.9 CaCO3

Sandmount sand pH 6.8 7.6 7.6 7.0 Johnston 1950 CaCO3

Sandmount sand pH 6.8 6.1 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.4 8.8 7.3 Smith et al. 1943 CaCO3 Burraboi gravely sand pH 6.4 6.4 6.6 7.8 7.8 9.3 9.2 CaCO3

Deep sand pH 5.8 6.7 7.6 Shields & Baker CaCO3 2002 Deep sand pH 5.7 6.5 7.4 CaCO3

Summary data

Average pH 6.2 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.6 7.1 8.3 7.6 CaCO3 0.01 3.40 Lowest pH 5.7 5.4 5.4 5.4 5.8 6.3 7.7 7.3 CaCO3 Highest pH 6.9 7.2 7.6 7.8 8.4 9.6 9.2 9.2 CaCO3 Std. dev. pH CaCO3 No. of samples pH 11 8 9 11 8 11 4 2 CaCO3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0


0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

pHD

epth

(m)

Figure 9-3: Variation in pH within and between depths in deep sand soils in the Murray

Valley.

9.3. Summary for deep sands

9.3.1. Electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage Salinity and sodicity in these soils is very low as could be expected for a deep sand. Salinity values were less than 0.1 dS/m in the top soils rising to 0.5 dS/m at 1-1.5 m. ESP values in the profile varied from 2-5%.

9.3.2. pH and calcium carbonate The pH for Deep sandy soils in the Murray Valley has an average of 6.4 in the top ten centimetres and increases to 8.3 at 3m. The general trend in the profile is slightly acid in the topsoil, increasing to moderately alkaline in the subsoil. There is very little data on calcium carbonate. The one data set indicates a carbonate layer at depth, with values of 3.7%.

9.3.3. Exchangeable cations The dominant exchangeable cations in deep sands in the Murray Valley are calcium and magnesium. There is an obvious leached layer around 40 cm where there is a sharp decrease in all cation concentration, before increasing again at depth.


10. Conclusion This review has brought together most of the available data on soil chemical properties in the MIA , CIA and Murray Valley. Much of this data is either unpublished or in CSIRO technical reports that have not been formally published. The different soil groups identified have resulted in quite consistent data for each group and there appears to be good separation in textural properties between groups. Several soil groups had limited data available, they were: subplastic soils of the upper hillslopes, plastic soils of the plains (lighter subsoil group) and deep sands. The summary tables that were derived for each soil group represent the values that may be expected for soils in that group, but are not in any way definitive as there is variation within any group. These summary values need to be treated with caution due to the variation in type and quantity of data available. This report contains little comparison between soil groups and no assessment of soil capability or property correlations that would be useful. It is hoped that this aspect can be developed in future.


Glossary CEC Cation exchange capacity CIA Coleambally Irrigation Area COV Coefficient of variation ESP Exchangeable sodium percentage GM Geometric mean Mdn Median MIA Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area SD Standard deviation TEB Total exchangeable bases TEC Total exchangeable cations TM Total metals TMI Total metal ions TSS Total soluble salts


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