SOIL ASSOCIATIONS -
 ROWANHILL

DERIVATION:

Sandstones and shales with some limestones and coals, all rocks of Carboniferous age.

TYPES OF PARENT MATERIALS MAPPED:

Glacial till
Weathered rock in situ

COLOUR:

Greyish brown to grey in the subsoil.

TEXTURE:

May be relatively coarse textured (sandy silt loam, sandy clay loam) within topsoil but clay loam, clay or sandy clay loam at depth; slightly to moderately stony, often weathered.

DOMINANT LAND USE:

Permanent pasture, some arable and woodland.

LANDFORMS:

Undulating lowlands and upland areas with gentle slopes.

SOIL CHEMISTRY:

Near alkaline conditions and high base saturation within subsoil especially where limestone is present.
Inherently low total phosphorus.

SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

Potential rooting depth around 30cm, deeper in dry years where roots can penetrate deep cracks 
in subsoil. Compact subsoil restricts water movement and rooting depth. Weak prismatic structure
in subsoil becoming massive below.