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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
Item 6 of 17
In Progress
Indicator 5 – reduced summer growth
Meat & Livestock Australia April 3, 2020
What do you see and when?
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis013.jpg?fit=640%2C521&ssl=1)
- Areas that stay green during summer but have reduced growth.
- Bare patches remain damp and white salt crystals may be visible on soil surface.
- Different plants growing to the rest of the paddock.
- Best seen in late spring.
What could this indicate?
- Salinity caused by a salty water table less than two metres from the soil surface
- Freshwater spring
What test can I do to confirm?
- Soil test with reference to electrical conductivity (EC).
- Identification of individual plant species to confirm their salt tolerance.
Pictured below: Examples of salinity indicator plants.
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis014.jpg?fit=333%2C359&ssl=1)
Buckshorn plantain
(Plantago coronopus)
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis015.jpg?fit=333%2C359&ssl=1)
Sea barley grass
(Hordeum marinum)
![](https://i0.wp.com/elearning.mla.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vis016.jpg?fit=336%2C359&ssl=1)
Yellow buttons
(Cotula coronopifolia)