Reference soil Australia 07: Chernozem

AU007

Chernozems are typically found in the long-grass steppe regions of the world, particularly in Eastern Europe and North America (Canada and the USA).

Characteristics

Soils having a very dark mollic horizon (thick, brownish or blackish surface horizon with a significant accumulation of organic matter and high base saturation) and secondary carbonates within 50 cm of the lower limit of the Ah horizon, but within 200 cm from the soil surface. They have no petrocalcic horizon between 25 and 100 cm from the soil surface, no secondary gypsum and no uncoated sand and silt grains on structural pedfaces

Distribution of Chernozems (rough estimation supplied by soilgrids)

Reference soil AU007: Chernozems

REFERENCE: Handbook of Australian Soils, p.132-133

Classification

WRB 1998
Chernozem
FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC 1988		FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC 1974
Chromi-Calcic Chernozem		Calcic Chernozem

Local classification:

HAS: Chernozem; FK: Um6.11

Other classification

USDA-SCS (1975)

Haploxeroll xeric coarse-loamy mixed thermic

Profile description

Ah1 0-10 cm	black (10YR 2/1, dry)loam slightly gravelly,crumb and coarse granular,soft friable,many fine roots,non calcareous 10% HCl,gradual smooth boundary to,
Ah2 10-20 cm	very dark brown (10YR 2/2, dry)loam slightly gravelly,coarse granular,soft friable,few fine roots,non calcareous 10% HCl,gradual smooth boundary to,
Ah3 20-30 cm	very dark brown (10YR 2/2, dry)loam gravelly,angular blocky and crumb,soft friable,few fine roots,non calcareous 10% HCl,gradual smooth boundary to,
Ah4 30-45 cm	very dark brown (10YR 2/2, dry)loam slightly gravelly,angular blocky and crumb,soft friable,few roots,non calcareous 10% HCl,gradual smooth boundary to,
45-60 cm	very dark brown (10YR 2/2, dry)loam slightly gravelly,massive to crumb,soft friable,few roots,few hard calcareous concretions,slightly calcareous 10% HCl,clear smooth boundary to,
Bk1 60-75 cm	dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, dry)loam slightly gravelly,subangular blocky and crumb,soft friable,few roots,few soft calcareous soft segregations,calcareous 10% HCl,clear smooth boundary to,
Bk2 75-90 cm	dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4, dry)loam slightly gravelly,subangular blocky and crumb,soft friable,few soft calcareous soft segregations,calcareous 10% HCl,

Kind 1 (parent material) ; Parker (eds), 1984	basic ash
Kind 2 (parent material) (second entry); Parker (eds), 1984	limestone
Mode of accumulation or deposition of parent material	ejecta ash
Soil Depth	90cm
Texture of parent material (second entry)	loamy
General characterization of the status of weathering of solid rock	partially or moderately
General characterization of the status of weathering of solid rock (second entry)	slightly

Main type of irrigation; Guidelines for soil description - Fourth edition (FAO, Rome, 2006)	no irrigation
Land use or vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the site	non-agricultural land
Remarks on Land Use / Vegetation	LAND USE: Sheep and cattle grazing nearby.
Status of vegetation; Guidelines for soil description - Fourth edition (FAO, Rome, 2006)	cut over

Altitude	76m
Physiographic Unit	slope
Physiographic position of the site	middle slope
Regional landform; McDonald, R.C., Isbell, R.F. et all, 1984; Australian soil and land survey Field Handbook, Inkata Press, Melbourne.	beach ridge
Slope	2%
Slope Aspect	south
Form of the slope surrounding the site	straight
Topography; Guidelines for soil description - Fourth edition (FAO, Rome, 2006)	flat or almost flat

Drainage class ; FAO (2006) - Guidelines for soil description	somewhat excessive
Flooding frequency (FAO, 1986)	never
Kind of ground water table (USDA, 1979)	no groundwater table observed
Estimated permeability (class) of least permeable part of the profile	high
Estimated run off (class)	medium

Surface cracking	no cracks observed
Slaking of aggregates by tillage, rainfall or frost (USDA/SCS, 1979)	no surface slaking/crusting observed
Rock outcrop class (FAO (2006) - Guidelines for soil description)	none
Surface stoniness class (FAO (2006) - Guidelines for soil description)	none

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Reference soil Australia 07: Chernozem

Characteristics

Reference soil AU007: Chernozems

Classification