Science · Soils
Entisol
Soils with little qualifying horizon development, spanning diverse textures and environments.
USDA Soil Taxonomy order
Profile
- Development
- Minimal diagnostic horizon development
- Settings
- Includes young alluvium, dunes and disturbed sites
- Texture
- Not necessarily sandy
- Drainage
- Can range from excessively drained to wet
Water & soil targets
- Moisture (VWC)
- Site-calibrated; measure field capacity and dry-down
- Salinity tolerance
- Not inferable from soil classification; test EC, sodicity and water chemistry
- Drought tolerance
- Not inferable from taxonomy; measure accessible storage and plant response
Soil orders and WRB groups are not textures. Determine horizon-specific retention, field capacity, drainage, rooting depth and seasonal hydrology before setting irrigation triggers.
Problems to watch
- Site-dependent flooding
- Erosion
- Low water storage in sandy members
Stress signs
- Sediment burial
- Surface loss
- Fast drying in coarse layers
Where you'll find it
- Young-soil assessment
- Alluvial landscape planning
More soils
All Science profilesGeneral agronomic guidance and typical ranges; actual targets vary by site, soil, climate and season.