Soil subgroup
Argialbol cumúlico
It has a thicker than usual dark surface, thickened by sediments that accumulated on top (foot of hill, runoff paths).
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 | Albol | Molisol with a clear, washed (albic) horizon between the surface and the clay horizon, and water hanging over it in humid times. |
| Great group | Argialbol | Within the Albol suborder, it has a clay accumulation horizon (argillic): clay washed from the surface accumulated lower. |
| Subgroup | cumúlico | It has a thicker than usual dark surface, thickened by sediments that accumulated on top (foot of hill, runoff paths). |
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 4.818 ha, across 1 districts.
| Province | Area |
|---|---|
| Entre Ríos | 4.818 ha |
Districts where it is most common
It also appears on the detailed maps of: Entre Ríos.
Other Argialbol subgroups
Soil series
Series are the specific soils, named after places, that detailed maps describe under this name. Two properties with the same series have the same soil.
Entre Ríos
La Aldea
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)