Appendix 4
Analytical requirements for the Australian soil classifcation
| CALCAROSOLS | Use of ESP at subgroup level |
| CHROMOSOLS | ESP will probably be needed for the upper 0.2 m of the B2 horizon to define the order, and cations at great group level for the major part of the B2 horizon unless the B or BC horizon is calcareous or contains a calcareous horizon; for subgroups, possible need for organic carbon or LOI (loss on ignition) to identify a humose horizon; possible need for ESP in the lower part of the B horizon. |
| DERMOSOLS | As for Chromosols except for ESP in the upper 0.2 m of the B2 horizon. |
| FERROSOLS | Probable need for free Fe if soil is not definitely formed on basalt, otherwise as above although few soils are yet known with sodic subgroups. |
| HYDROSOLS | For some suborders it may be useful to have water table conductivity. Some great groups of some suborders may require ESP of the upper 0.2 m of any clear or abrupt textural B horizon. At the subgroup level organic carbon or LOI may be required to identify peaty or humose horizons, and cations may be required to identify base status, Ca/Mg ratio and ESP of the B2 horizon. |
| KANDOSOLS | As for Dermosols |
| KUROSOLS | At great group level ESP will probably be needed in the upper 0.2 m of the B2 horizon and cations in the major part of the B2 horizon. At the subgroup level, as for Chromosols. |
| ORGANOSOLS | Organic carbon or LOI |
| PODOSOLS | Possible need for organic carbon or LOI to identify peaty or humose horizons. |
| RUDOSOLS | Possible need for conductivity at suborder level. |
| SODOSOLS | ESP in the upper 0.2 m of the B2 horizon is needed to define the order and the great groups. Cations required at the subgroup level in the major part of the B2 horizon unless the B or BC horizon is calcareous or contains a calcareous horizon. Possible need for organic carbon or LOI to identify a humose horizon. |
| TENOSOLS | Organic carbon or LOI may be required at suborder level to identify peaty or humose horizons. |
| VERTOSOLS | ESP required at the subgroup level in 0.1 m and also cations at depths above and below 0.5 m. Water table conductivity may also be required in some soils. Particle size analysis will be required at the family level to determine clay content. |
Note that pH has not been listed above because it may be estimated in the field. Similarly, it is not essential to have particle size analysis to determine whether or not a soil has a clear or abrupt textural B horizon.