Soil issues and management suggestions for a red Kandosol in Loxton, South Australia

Aiming to provide an indication of soil issues and on how to manage them for high productivity, data of chemical and physical properties of a Red Kandosol were evaluated. Values of soil analysis were evaluated and compared to the recent literature. They suggest some problems that need to be addressed before an agricultural activity can take place in the area. In general, the soil has a low level of organic carbon and a good status of exchangeable cations. However, the soil pH indicated a problem with alkalinity. This issue may have leaded to others also present, such as sodicity and phosphorus and micronutrient deficiency. In addition, this soil is also saline, and has a risk of boron toxicity. To solve these problems, alkaline and salt tolerant plants are indicated to overcome alkalinity and salinity. Sodicity can be solved by applying gypsum to decrease the exchangeable sodium percentage. This chemical use can be improved by incorporation of organic matter to the soil, which will also enhance the use of chemical fertilizers and the activity of soil microbes on the amelioration of nutrient status and cation exchange capacity.