MySoil: Sandy earths (Swan Coastal Plain)

Pale, brown, yellow or red sands grading to loam by 80 centimetres (cm).

Broad scale map (1:250 000) of the Swan coastal plain Agzone showing the distribution of sandy earths. Distribution mainly 0–3% except in the Margaret river region where there is scattered distribution of mainly 3–10% with patches of 50–100% and 10–25%.
A stylised diagram of the soil profile showing the topsoil and subsoil layers for red sandy earth. Red sand grading to loam by 80cm.
Soil pit showing the profile of red sandy earth in the Swan coastal plain region.

Summary

Table 1 Sandy earths summary
Occurrence Swan Coastal Plain (2%)

Soil Groups of Western Australia (WA)

462 Brown sandy earth (mainly alluvial)

463 Red sandy earth

464 Yellow sandy earth

465 Pale sandy earth (Busselton sands)

Also known as

 Busselton sands
Australian soil classifications

461 - Acidic Yellow Kandosol, Acidic Orthic Tenosol

462 - Brown Kandosol,  Orthic Tenosol

463 - Red Kandosol,  Orthic Tenosol

464 - Yellow Kandosol, Orthic Tenosol

465 - Grey Kandosol,  Bleached-Orthic Tenosol

Distinguishing features

Topsoil

  • Pale, brown, yellow and red sands.
  • Acid to neutral pH.

Subsoil

  • Sandy grading to loamy by 80cm depth.
  • Acid to neutral pH, occasionally red earths are calcareous at depth.
  • May grade to a clay at depth.
  • Gravels (<20 %) may be present (464,465).

Constraints

The following data has been derived from actual site samples taken. These results are recorded in this Excel spreadsheet.

Table 2 Common management constraints key
Rating Implications

Not applicable (n/a)

No constraints identified
Minor

Minor constraint - reduces crop yields in some years
Major

Major constraint - reduces crop yields in most years
Severe

Severe constraint - will always reduce crop yields
Table 3 Management constraints for sandy earths

Soil Group of WA

462 Brown sandy earth*

462 Brown sandy earth*

463 Red or

464 yellow sandy earth*

463 Red or

464 yellow

sandy earth*

465 Pale sandy earth*

465 Pale sandy earth*
Constraints Topsoil Sunsoil Topsoil Subsoil Topsoil Subsoil
Acidity and aluminium toxicity Minor Minor Minor n/a

n/a

 Minor
Salinity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Sodicity and alkalinity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Boron toxicity

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Poor nutrient retention Major

Major

Major

Major

Major

Major
Aggregate stability n/a Minor

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Compaction and hard layers

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor
Hard setting and crusting

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Water repellence Minor

n/a

 Minor

n/a

 Minor

n/a
Low plant available water Minor

Minor

Minor

Minor

Minor

Minor
Water-logging (seasonal) n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Wind erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a
Water erosion (seasonal)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

*Note - Data derived from site identifications (ID's).

  • Soil Group of WA - 462 Brown sandy earth site ID includes: SWL 0299, SWL 0080.
  • Soil Group of WA - 463 red, 464 yellow sandy earth site ID includes: GWRDC MR_E_CR, SWL 0298.
  • Soil Group of WA - 465 Pale sandy earth site ID includes: BMA 0351, GWRDC MR_ 14_YP.

Further information

Department of Agriculture and Food (2013) Report card on sustainable natural resource use in agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

McArthur, WM (2004) Reference Soils of South-western Australia (Reprint). Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

McArthur, WM and Bettenay, E (1960) The Development and Distribution of the Soils of the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia. Publication No.16. CSIRO, Melbourne, Vic.

Moore, G (2004) Soil Guide: A Handbook for Understanding and Managing Agricultural Soils. Bulletin 4343. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Schoknecht, N and Pathan, S (2013) Soil Groups of Western Australia. Resource Management Technical Report 380. Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

Smolinski, HJ and Scholz, G (1997) Soils of the West Gingin Area. Land Resources Series No. 15. Agriculture Western Australia.

Tille, PJ and Lantzke, NC (1990) Busselton Margaret River Augusta Land Capability Study. Land Resources Series No. 5. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.

Wells, MR (1989) Land Capability Study of the Shires of Mandurah and Murray. Land Resources Series No. 2. Western Australian Department of Agriculture.

See also

MySoil

Further information

Soils

Topics

Page last updated: Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 9:20am