Soil subgroup
Argiustol arídico
It is drier than the typical one of the group: it is on the border with the soils arid climate.
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 | Ustol | Molisol from subhumid to semi-arid climate (ustic moisture regime): water is enough in the growing season but there are long dry periods. |
| Great group | Argiustol | Within the Ustol suborder, it has a clay accumulation horizon (argillic): clay washed from the surface accumulated lower. |
| Subgroup | arídico | It is drier than the typical one of the group: it is on the border with the soils arid climate. |
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.
- Most common surface texture
- Loam
- Most common drainage
- Well drained
- Typical effective depth
- 100 cm
Where it is found
According to the 1:500.000 national map, it covers about 126.743 ha, spread over 1 districts.
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National map units that list it. The scale is 1:500.000: good for seeing the region, not a single property.
| Province | Area |
|---|---|
| Salta | 126.743 ha |
Districts where it is most common
It also appears on the detailed maps of: Santiago del Estero.
How productive it is
Where it is the main soil of the map unit, the productivity index has a median of 78 (very good); half of the units fall between 78 and 78.
Land capability
class VI: 100%
Taken from the maps that include this data. A map unit with several soils has a single index, and it is only attributed to the dominant soil.
Other Argiustol 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)