Soil subgroup
Argiacuol páquico
It has a very thick dark surface.
What the name says
Soil Taxonomy names are built from parts, and each part says something about the soil. From general to specific:
| Taxonomic order | Molisol | Soil with a thick, dark surface horizon rich in organic matter (the mollic epipedon), with more than half of its exchange capacity occupied by calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. It forms under grassland. |
|---|---|---|
| Suborder | Acuol | Molisol with excess water: saturated near the surface for part of the year, with redox depletions (gray, mottles) in the profile. |
| Great group | Argiacuol | Within the Acuol suborder, it has a clay accumulation horizon (argillic): clay washed from the surface accumulated lower. |
| Subgroup | páquico | It has a very thick dark surface. |
What it means for farming
They are the soils agricultural lands par excellence: the Pampas grassland formed them and most of Argentine agriculture is done on them. They retain water and nutrients; its limitation, when there is one, is below: clay, sodium, calcareous hardpan or drainage.
Where it is found
It does not appear on the national map; on the detailed maps it adds up to about 5.237 ha, across 2 districts.
| Province | Area |
|---|---|
| Entre Ríos | 5.237 ha |
Districts where it is most common
It also appears on the detailed maps of: Entre Ríos.
Other Argiacuol subgroups
Soils it shares map units with
Several soils share each map unit. These are the ones most often found alongside this one: on a property, you will likely find them in the nearby low ground or on the next rise.
The definitions are a plain-language summary of the USDA Keys to Soil Taxonomy. The formal definition includes thickness, color and percentage thresholds that are left out here.
Sources
- Soil Survey Staff. (2014). Claves para la Taxonomía de Suelos, 12.ª edición. USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. · Dominio público (USDA)
- INTA · Dominio público (carta 1:500.000)