Even with just a little arboriculture knowledge, everyone knows how essential the soil is as a medium of plant growth. The soil is responsible for holding moisture, supporting the roots, and providing air, nutrients, and minerals needed for plant nourishment. In order for your plant to achieve optimal growth, you must use the appropriate soil for it. Different soil types can be seen around Australia, and each has corresponding characteristics suitable for certain plants and uses.
In this article, we talk about the various types of soil and what makes them unique from the others.
Podosol
Podosol soil is rich in aluminium and iron. It is highly sandy, which means it contains the largest particles among the soil types. You cannot mould it into shapes, and it dries out veryeasily. It also has a low pH, making it an acidic soil.
Because podosols are comprised of large particles, it is a given that there are large air spaces in between as well. With that, sandy soils become poor in fertility asnutrients drain away, instead of being distributed to the plant itself. It is the soil of eucalypt forests and heathlands, but it is not suitable for agriculture.
Tenosol
Tenosols are similar to podosols in terms of their material. They are also sandy, so it follows that they are poor in fertility. They cannot hold as much water as needed by most plants, and are vulnerable to groundwater contamination. It is not suitable for agriculture.
Kurosol
Unlike the podosol soil, which is rich in aluminium and iron, the kurosols are not particularly abundant in chemicals. They are marked by their texture contrast of duplex soil, and by their acidic nature. Similar to the previous soil types mentioned, they have a low water-holding capacity – making them poor for agricultural.
Chromosol
Chromosols contain silica and, like kurosols, they are identified by their texture contrast. They are not acidic, and can be found in some drained sites. Although they are not commonly found around Australia, they are considered an important type of soil because they have moderate fertility. Chromosols can hold water better than podosols, tenosols, and kurosols, making them more suitable for agriculture.
Vertosol
Vertosols are clay soils, made up of many tiny particles that minimise air spaces. This type of soil is highly capable of holding water and moisture, and can be moulded into form. Given those characteristics, vertosols are known to be highly fertile. However, some chemicals may be need to be added in order to improve the amount of nutrients available. Gypsum, a sulphate mineral, is one of those chemicals. This mineral is an effective fertiliser.
Ferrosol
By the name itself, it can be determined that these types of soil are rich in iron – thus, their red appearance. This soil is characterised by its ability to retain water. It possesses great agricultural potential because of its level of fertility. Although Australia does not have an abundance of this type of soil, ferrosols can be found in some parts of the northern coast.
Calcarosol
Calcarosols have an alkaline pH since they are composed in great part of calcium carbonate. They are excessively rich in salt and boron, sometimes to the point of toxicity, and are moderately suitable for agriculture.
Dermosol
The dermosol soil is a clay soil. It is well-capable of holding water, and is easily compacted. Unlike ferrosols, dermosols are low in iron. With their good structure they have a high agricultural potential. They can range from moderate to high fertility. Dermosols are typically found in coastal and sub-coastal regions of Australia.
Hire professional tree services
There are many different types of soil and determining the soil for your plant might not be as easy as you think. Make sure to hire professional tree services from JK Cooper and let well-trained individuals advise you on how you can maximise the soil type you have in your lawn.
