Where are Vertosols found in Queensland?

More than half of Australia’s Vertosols are found in Queensland, where they occupy 28% of the State’s total area. 58% of the State’s cropping area is located on Vertosols. They occur on mainly on alluvial plains, weathered sedimentary rocks (e.g. shales mudstones) and weathered basalt. Vegetation associations include grassland (e.g. Mitchell grass), open eucalypt woodland (e.g. Queensland blue gum) and brigalow/gidgee forests.

Good places to see a Vertosol

[Typical landscape shot]

What is a Vertosol?

Vertosols are clay soils (>35% clay) with shrink-swell properties that cause deep and wide cracking on drying. The soils vary in colour - black, brown, grey and red with every gradation in between - and range from strongly acid to highly calcareous. Australia has a greater area and diversity of Vertosols than any other country.

Vertosol

Why are Vertosols important to Queensland?

With high chemical fertility and water holding capacity, Vertosols have the potential to be productive agricultural soils, but need significant rainfall before water is available to plants, can be difficult to cultivate when wet, and often need lime or gypsum to improve their structure. Vertosols particularly the ‘self-mulching’ types, are widely used for cropping. Large areas are also used for grazing. Limitations include a narrow moisture range suitable for cultivation. Plant rooting depth may be limited by subsoil constraints such as salinity and sodicity.