The relationship between subsoil colour and degree of wetness in a suite of soils in the Grabouw district, Western Cape I. Characterization of colour-defined horizons

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorVan Huyssteen C.W.
dc.contributor.authorEllis F.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:55:07Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:55:07Z
dc.date.issued1997
dc.description.abstractSoil colour is an easily identifiable property that is invariably used as a parameter in all soil classification systems including the system used in South Africa. To test the hypothesis that soil colour is a reflection of the soil water regime, the physical, chemical, morphological and hydrological properties were measured for soils on three catenas in the Grabouw district, Western Cape. Significant differences were observed between diagnostic red apedal B, yellow-brown apedal B, yellow E and grey E horizons. Fine silt, silt, clay, sum of cations, cation exchange capacity and free iron and aluminium decreased in the sequence red apedal B > yellow-brown apedal B > yellow E > grey E horizons. Average duration of free water saturation was 1.3% for red apedal B horizons, 18.8% for yellow-brown apedal B horizons, 42.4% for yellow E and 54.2% for grey E horizons. This supports the hypothesis that yellow and grey horizons are formed by a process of reduction and leaching.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationSouth African Journal of Plant and Soil
dc.identifier.citation14
dc.identifier.citation4
dc.identifier.issn2571862
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/9596
dc.subjectiron
dc.subjectsoil classification
dc.subjectsoil colour
dc.subjectwater saturation
dc.subjectSouth Africa, Western Cape, Grabouw
dc.titleThe relationship between subsoil colour and degree of wetness in a suite of soils in the Grabouw district, Western Cape I. Characterization of colour-defined horizons
dc.typeArticle
Files
Collections
Stellenbosch University - Scopus Publications