The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems

Budiman Minasny; Alex. B. McBratney

doi:10.1071/sr00065

journal article Nov 28, 2001

The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems

Budiman Minasny

Alex. B. McBratney

Australian Journal of Soil Research Vol. 39 No. 6 pp. 1443-1451 · CSIRO Publishing

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Abstract

The different classification of particle-size fractions used in Australia compared with other countries presents a problem for the immediate adoption of the exotic pedotransfer functions. Australia adopted the international system which defined silt as particles with diameters in the range 2–20 m, while the USDA/FAO define it as 2–50 m. We present empirical equations to convert between the two systems. The USDA/FAO textural classes were also plotted in the International system’s coordinate. The USDA/FAO classes in the International system had a ‘boomerang’ shape and only occupy 60% of the triangle. Particle-size data showed that the data are evenly distributed in the USDA/FAO triangle, while most data are concentrated in the boomerang in the International system. We therefore suggest that it would seem wise for most countries to consider adopting the particle-size limits and texture classes of the USDA/FAO system.

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Published: Nov 28, 2001
Vol/Issue: 39(6)
Pages: 1443-1451
License: View

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Cite This Article

Budiman Minasny, Alex. B. McBratney (2001). The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 39(6), 1443-1451. https://doi.org/10.1071/sr00065

The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems

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