Soil properties and tree vigour in the Goulburn Valley

Abstract

A survey technique was used to correlate several field properties of soils with size of fruit trees in commercial orchards of the Goulbum Valley, Victoria. Where the surface soil was shallow (about 6 inches) its depth was the most important factor affecting tree size, but heaviness of the subsoil also had an effect. Where the surface soil was deep (about 10 inches), the important property was its mechanical composition, depth being of secondary importance.