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Four soil map units were described in the report (Figure 5): <br />• Bowbac - Bowdish complex, 0 -3 percent slopes; <br />• Darvey - Barx complex, 0 -3 percent slopes; <br />• Haplargids- Endoaquepts association, 0 -3 percent slopes; <br />• No Suitable Topsoil. <br />Laboratory Data <br />Soils from three test pits (98005, 98009 and 98015) were sampled and analyzed for selected <br />parameters. Laboratory results are summarized in Tables 1 to 2 and are discussed below. <br />Soil textures were predominately sandy clay loams for the 98005 and 98009 soil test pit and <br />sandy loams for test pit 98015 (Table 1). <br />Soil chemical results are presented in Table 2: <br />Soil pH. pH is perhaps the most important chemical characteristic of the soil and indicates <br />acidity of the soil. Soil pH serves as a general index to the availability of plant nutrients, <br />potential toxicity problems, and sodic soil conditions. A soil pH of 6.5 to 8.0 is ideal for most <br />agronomic crops. Soil pH ranged from 7.2 -8.2 for all three soil test pits sampled, within the <br />ideal agronomic range. For classification purposes the soils would be described as neutral to <br />moderately alkaline (USDA- NRCS). <br />Soil Salinity. Soil salinity is the amount of soluble salts in a soil, and is measured by the <br />electrical conductivity (EC) of the saturated paste extract. The salinity of a soil is important <br />because high salt levels make it difficult for plants to obtain water (Bohn, et al., 1985). Saline <br />soils are conventionally defined as having EC values of greater than 4.0 mmhos /cm , however <br />sensitive plants can be affected at 2.0 mmhos /cm and highly tolerant plants are productive at EC <br />levels greater than 8.0 mmhos /cm. Soil test pits 98005 had EC in the second horizon of the <br />profile that would be classified as very slightly saline (EC ranging between 2 and 4 mmhos/cm) <br />(USDA- NRCS). The entire profile of soil test pits 98009 and 98015 had EC less than 2.0 (non- <br />saline) (USDA- NRCS). <br />Soil Sodicity. Sodic soils are "nonsaline soils containing sufficient exchangeable sodium to <br />adversely affect crop production and soil structure" (Soil Science Society of America, 2001). <br />High levels of sodium tend to disperse soil particles thereby sealing the soil. The result can <br />produce hard surface crusts, reduced infiltration rates, and reduced oxygen diffusion rates, all of <br />which interfere with or prevent plant growth. By definition, sodic soils are those that have an <br />exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of more than 15, an EC less than 4 mmhos /cm, and a pH <br />between 8.5 and 10 (U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff, 1954). ESP concentrations are all less than <br />2.0 and pH less than 8.5 in all samples tested. <br />Morgan Property Soil Survey Page 10 <br />