LOCATION KASKI KSEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine-loamy, mixed, thermic Cumulic Haplustolls
TYPICAL PEDON: Kaski loam - in a cultivated field. (Colors are for dry soil unless otherwise stated.)
A1--0 to 19 inches; very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loam, very dark brown (10YR 2/2) moist; moderate medium and coarse granular structure; soft, very friable; slightly acid; gradual smooth boundary.
A2--19 to 26 inches; dark brown (10YR 4/3) loam, dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist; weak medium granular structure; soft, very friable; slightly acid; clear smooth boundary. (Combined thickness of the A horizon ranges from 15 to 36 inches.)
AC--26 to 40 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) loam, dark brown (10YR 4/3) moist; weak medium and coarse granular structure; soft, very friable; neutral; gradual smooth boundary. (10 to 20 inches thick)
C--40 to 60 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy loam, dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4) moist; massive; soft, very friable; neutral.
TYPE LOCATION: Harper County, Kansas; 8 miles north and 3 1/2 miles west of Attica, Kansas; 600 feet west and 200 feet south of the northeast corner, sec. 16, T. 31 S., R. 9 W.
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: The thickness of the solum ranges from 30 to 50 inches. The mollic epipedon is 20 to 50 inches thick. Depth to free carbonates range from 15 to greater than 60 inches. Distinct mottles are lacking above a depth of 30 inches.
The A horizon has a hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5 and 2 or 3 moist, and chroma of 1 to 3. It commonly is loam and less commonly sandy loam, fine sandy loam, or clay loam. It is medium acid to neutral.
The AC horizon has hue of 10YR or 7.5YR, value of 3 to 6 and 2 to 4 moist, and chroma of 1 to 3. It is loam, clay loam, or sandy loam. It is medium acid to mildly alkaline. Some pedons have a Bw horizon with color, texture, and reaction like the AC horizon.
The C horizon has hue of 7.5YR or 10YR, value of 5 or 6 and 4 or 5 moist, and chroma of 2 to 4. It is clay loam, loam, or sandy loam. Sandy strata are below 40 inches in some pedons. This horizon is medium acid to moderately alkaline.
COMPETING SERIES: These are the Bippus, Bosque, Gageby, Gowen, and Whitesboro series in the same family and the Canadian, Cyril, Port, Waldeck, and Zenda series. Bippus soils are more alkaline in the A horizon. Bosque and Gageby soils contain free carbonates at depths above 15 inches. Gowen soils have a mean annual temperature of over 64 degrees F. Whitesboro soils have wetness mottles within 40 inches of the surface. Canadian, Cyril, and Waldeck soils are coarse-loamy. In addition, Canadian soils have a mollic epipedon less than 20 inches thick. Port soils are fine-silty. Zenda soils have a mollic epipedon less than 20 inches thick.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Kaski soils are on flood plains or stream terraces. The slope gradient ranges from 0 to 2 percent. The soils formed in loamy alluvium that is usually stratified with coarser textured material in the lower part. The mean annual temperature ranges from 57 to 64 degrees F, and the mean annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 32 inches. Thornthwaite Annual PE Index ranges from 36 to 54.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Canadian, Farnum, Shellabarger, Waldeck, and Zenda soils. Farnum and Shellabarger soils have an argillic horizon and are on adjacent uplands. Canadian soils are on slightly higher positions. Waldeck and Zenda soils are on slightly lower positions.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Well drained. Runoff is slow. Permeability is moderate. Soils are rarely or occasionally flooded. Water table is generally below 6 feet except during periods of high stream flow.
USE AND VEGETATION: Mostly cultivated to wheat and sorghums. Native vegetation is tall grasses.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: South-central Kansas and north-central Oklahoma. The series is moderately extensive.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Salina, Kansas
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Harper County, Kansas, 1970.
REMARKS: Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are: mollic epipedon - the zone from the surface to 26 inches; ustic moisture regime.