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Visual indicators of soil condition
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Pasture growth
In the paddock1 quiz -
Indicator 1 - dark green patches1 quiz
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Indicator 2 - yellowing pastures1 quiz
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Indicator 3 - grass dominant pasture1 quiz
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Indicator 4 - stock camps1 quiz
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Indicator 5 - reduced summer growth1 quiz
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Indicator 6 - lucerne stunting1 quiz
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Sub-Clover and Legume NodulationPlants and pastures
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Indicator 7 - small, dark green leaves1 quiz
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Indicator 8 - bronzing of sub-clover1 quiz
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Indicator 9 - stunted sub-clover plants1 quiz
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Indicator 10 - few or white nodules1 quiz
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Soil CharacteristicsSoil surface and clover roots
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Indicator 11 - soil surface1 quiz
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Indicator 12 - soil disturbance1 quiz
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Weeds as Indicators of Soil ConditionHigh fertility indicators1 quiz
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Low fertility indicators1 quiz
What do you see and when?
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis031.jpg?fit=569%2C174&ssl=1)
- Milky tea coloured water on surface
- Best seen after rain
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis032.jpg?fit=566%2C173&ssl=1)
- Soils form surface crust & set hard when dry
- Best seen once soil is dry
What could this indicate?
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis033.jpg?fit=261%2C213&ssl=1)
- Soil dispersion
- Individual clay particles separate from one another when soil becomes wet due to excessive sodium and insufficient organic matter binding the soil together.
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis034.jpg?fit=260%2C212&ssl=1)
- Slaking
- Soil crumbs break apart when wet due to low organic matter which results in surface crusting.
- Often seen dispersion of soil crumbs; collapsed around gateways.
What test can I do to confirm?
- Soil test with reference to the amount and proportion of sodium compared to calcium, potassium and magnesium.
- An aggregate stability test. This involves placing small soil crumbs (sized about 5-10mm) into a dish with distilled water and observing their reaction over time.