Characterisation of Soil Physical Properties Across Seven Representative Sites at Boorowa Farm

Brief description

This dataset contains soil physical property measurements from seven indicative sites across the CSIRO Boorowa Agricultural Research Station, each corresponding to a distinct soil type. The purpose of the data collection was to better understand the soil water holding potential of the different soils present on the farm.

The measurements reported here are based on soil samples collected from each site, rather than in-field measurements. While in situ determinations of drained upper limit (DUL) and crop lower limit (CLL) were made during the 2020 winter cropping season, they are not included in this dataset.

The collection includes:

Soil texture

Total and organic carbon

Total nitrogen and sulfur

Soil bulk density

Soil water retention data from both intact and repacked cores

van Genuchten (1980) model parameters fitted to develop soil water retention curves

Soil water retention measurements were conducted at the CSIRO Soil Physics Facility using standard methods (McKenzie et al., 2002):

Suction tables (Method 504.01) for pressure potentials ≤ 600 cm

Pressure plates (Method 504.02) for pressure potentials at 5 and 15 bar

Water potential values were recorded in centimeters of water column, with approximate conversions to bars provided as a reference:

10 cm (~0.01 bar), 30 cm (~0.03 bar), 50 cm (~0.05 bar), 100 cm (~0.1 bar), 340 cm (~0.33 bar), 600 cm (~0.59 bar), 5099 cm (~5 bar), and 15,296 cm (~15 bar)

These data provide foundational information for evaluating soil hydraulic properties and supporting water management, modelling, and agricultural research across the site.
Lineage: Summary of Soil Property Measurements and Methods
1. Soil Texture

Units: %

Method: Hydrometer analysis

Reference: Modified from SOP meth004 (CDPR), based on Gee & Bauder (1986) and Klute (1986) in Methods of Soil Analysis.

2. Total Carbon (C)

Units: %

Method: LECO dry combustion

Reference: Method 6H5 (Rayment and Lyons, 2010)

3. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)

Units: %

Method: LECO dry combustion after acid treatment

Reference: Method 6B3 (Rayment and Lyons, 2010)

4. Total Nitrogen (N)

Units: %

Method: LECO dry combustion

Reference: Method 7A8_1 (Rayment and Lyons, 2010)

5. Total Sulfur (S)

Units: %

Method: LECO dry combustion

Reference: Method 20A2_dry (Rayment and Lyons, 2010)

6. Soil Moisture Characteristic Measurements

Units: Volumetric water content (cm³/cm³)

Description: Measured on both intact and repacked soil cores

Method: Suction tables (504.01) and pressure plates (504.02), following McKenzie et al. (2002)

Suction/Pressure Points (approx. bar equivalents):

10 cm (~0.01 bar)

30 cm (~0.03 bar)

50 cm (~0.05 bar)

100 cm (~0.1 bar)

340 cm (~0.33 bar)

600 cm (~0.59 bar)

5099 cm (~5 bar)

15,296 cm (~15 bar)

Note: Pressure plates were used for 5 and 15 bar; other pressures were measured using suction tables.