LOCATION ZELLMONT KSEstablished Series
The Zellmont series consists of moderately deep, well drained soils that formed in alluvium over residuum derived from shale. Zellmont soils are on strath terraces in River Valleys of the Great Bend Sand Plains (MLRA 79). Slopes range from 0 to 6 percent. Mean annual precipitation is about 29 inches (74 centimeters) and the mean annual temperature is about 58 degrees F (14 degrees C).
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic Udic Haplustalfs
TYPICAL PEDON: Zellmont sandy loam on a southwest facing, convex, 3 percent slope in cropland at an elevation of 1447 feet (441 meters). (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise noted.) When described on 12/10/96 the soil was moist from 0 to 80 inches (0 to 203 centimeters).
Ap--0 to 8 inches (0 to 20 centimeters); brown (10YR 4/3), interior, sandy loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3), interior, moist; weak fine and medium subangular blocky structure; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine roots throughout; 18 percent clay; noneffervescent throughout (HCl, 1 normal); 2 percent subrounded mixed gravel; moderately acid; abrupt smooth boundary. (5 to 12 inches thick; 13 to 30 centimeters thick)
Bt1--8 to 18 inches (20 to 46 centimeters); reddish brown (5YR 5/3), interior, clay loam, reddish brown (5YR 4/3), interior, moist; moderate medium subangular blocky structure; hard, firm, moderately sticky and moderately plastic; common very fine roots throughout; 28 percent clay; few distinct continuous clay films on vertical and horizontal faces of peds; noneffervescent throughout (HCl, 1 normal); 3 percent subrounded mixed gravel; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary.
Bt2--18 to 26 inches (46 to 66 centimeters) ; reddish brown (5YR 5/4), interior, coarse sandy loam, reddish brown (5YR 4/4), interior, moist; weak fine subangular blocky structure; soft, friable, nonsticky and nonplastic; common very fine roots throughout; 12 percent clay; few distinct continuous clay films on vertical and horizontal faces of peds; noneffervescent throughout (HCl, 1 normal); 3 percent subrounded mixed gravel; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary. (14 to 25 inches thick; 36 to 64 centimeters thick)
2C--26 to 32 inches (66 to 81 centimeters); reddish brown (2.5YR 4/3), interior, clay loam, dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), interior, moist; massive; hard, firm, moderately sticky and moderately plastic; 27 percent clay; noneffervescent throughout (HCl, 1 normal); 4 percent subrounded mixed gravel and 10 percent subrounded shale gravel; slightly alkaline; abrupt wavy boundary. (0 to 22 inches thick; 0 to 56 centimeters thick)
2Cr--32 to 80 inches (81 to 203 centimeters); reddish brown (2.5YR 4/3), interior, weathered bedrock, dark reddish brown (2.5YR 3/3), interior, moist; noneffervescent throughout (HCl, 1 normal)
TYPE LOCATION: Reno County, KS; about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) east of Pretty Prairie; located about 175 feet (53 meters) north and 129 feet (39 meters) west of the southeast corner of sec. 20, T. 26 N., R. 5 W; Castleton USGS quad; lat. 37 degrees 45 minutes 46.3 seconds N. and long. 97 degrees 52 minutes 54.2 seconds W.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS:
Soil moisture regime: ustic moisture regime bordering on udic
Soil temperature regime: mesic
Mean annual soil temperature: 56 to 58 degrees F (13 degrees C).
Surface rock fragments: 0 - 2 percent
Particle-size control section: 23 to 34 percent clay
Depth to non-paralithic contact: 20 to 39 inches (50 to 99 centimeters)
Thickness of the ochric epipedon: 5 to 12 inches (13 to 30 centimeters)
Some pedons have a BC horizon.
Ap horizon:
Hue: 5YR to 7.5YR
Value: 3 to 5
Chroma: 2 to 4
Texture: sandy loam, loam, and sandy clay loam
Reaction: moderately acid to neutral
Bt horizon:
Hue: 2.5YR to 7.5YR
Value: 3 to 6
Chroma: 2 to 4
Texture: sandy clay loam, loam, sandy loam, coarse sandy loam and clay loam
Rock fragments: 0 to 5 percent
Reaction: slightly acid to slightly alkaline
2C horizon:
Hue: 2.5YR or 5YR
Value: 3 to 5
Chroma: 3 or 4
Texture: silty loam, silty clay loam, clay loam, or loam
Rock fragments: 0 to 5 percent
Reaction: neutral to moderately alkaline
2Cr horizon:
Hue: 2.5YR or 5G
Value: 3 to 6
Chroma: 2 to 4
Texture: weathered beds, Permian shale or siltstone
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Heflin (CO), Nickerson (KS), and Spelvin (KS) series. The Heflin soils have a lower mean annual soil temperatures and lower mean annual precipitation. The very deep Nickerson soils have a seasonal high water table. The Spelvin soils are very deep.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Zellmont soils
Parent material: Alluvium over residuum derived from Shale
Landform: terraces in river valleys
Slopes: 0 to 6 percent
Elevation: 1400 to 1600 feet (426.7 to 487.7 meters)
Mean annual air temperature: 56 to 58 degrees F (13 to 14 degrees C).
Mean annual precipitation: 27 to 29 inches (69 to 74 centimeters)
Wettest months: Mar. to Oct.
Driest months: Nov. to Feb.
Frost-free period: 180 to 200 days
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Jamash, Piedmont, Poxmash and Shellabarger soils. Jamash and Piedmont and Shellabarger soils occur on pediment in river valleys. Jamash and Piedmont are fine textured. Jamash soils are shallow. Poxmash soils are moderately deep and occur on similar landscapes. Shellabarger soils are very deep.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained, low to medium runoff, moderate permeability.
USE AND VEGETATION: Cropland and native rangeland are the primary land uses. Small grain and sorghum are the primary crops.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: South Central Kansas. LRR H Great Plains Winter Wheat and Range, MLRA 79 Great Bend Sand Plains. This series is of minor extent.
MLRA SOIL SURVEY REGIONAL OFFICE (MO) RESPONSIBLE: Denver, Colorado
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Reno County, KS. 1996
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Ochric epipedon: The zone from 0 to 8 inches (0 to 20 centimeters) (Ap)
Argillic horizon: The zone from 8 to 26 inches (20 to 66 centimeters) (Bt1, Bt2)
Keys to Soil Taxonomy: Eighth edition, 1998
ADDITIONAL DATA: Typical pedon site ID: 96KS155444R
LRR=H
DATE: 04/03/97
Similar to the poxmash series, the zellmont is found in the transitional zone between the MLRA 79 and 80A. It is Arkansas River Valley alluvium over permian redbed materials.
6/3/97:prf: Incorporated comments from reviewers.
12/23/99 PRF: series established per Reno County final correlation.