Soil Management Groups for North Carolina
The following groups are being established to provide a basis for common management practices among members of the soils in each group, as well as to assist in grouping soils by yield classes within the bounds of basic soil properties. Soils have been grouped by major physiographic region: Coastal Plain (Groups 1-28), Piedmont (Groups 101-117), and Mountains(Groups 201-217). Within each physiographic region, groups are arranged in increasing order based first on drainage (PO-VP, SP, MW, WE, SE-EX). Soils with VP, PO, and SP drainage are assumed to have effective artificial drainage to sustain agricultural production. Within the PO to VP drainage, Histosols are dealt with first, then soils of Flood Plains, Mineral-Organic soils (Histic or Umbric epipedons), and finally, Mineral Soils. Mineral soils are arranged in order by Particle Size Class from silty, fine, fine or coarse loamy, then sands. Where parent materials have a dominating influences on soil property, these have been used as a discriminator in some case. In the mountains, landscape position has been used as well.
| Coastal Plain | |
| 1 | Very Poorly Drained, Deep (>51 inches) Organic soils of the lower coastal plain. [DARE, DOROVAN, PUNGO] |
| 2 | Very Poorly Drained, Shallow (16 to 51 inches) Organic soils of the lower coastal plains, Colloidal organic materials in Oa2, overlying sandy materials, lower yield potentials. [BELHAVEN, SCUPPERNONG] |
| 3 | Very Poorly Drained, Shallow (16 to 51 inches)Organic soils of the lower coastal plain. Overlying loamy or silty mineral layers, higher yield potentials.[CROATAN, PONZER] |
| 4 | Poorly to Very Poorly Drained soils of Flood Plains in the Coastal Plain. Frequently flooded, difficult to drain unless protected, most very poorly drained. [CHASTAIN, JOHNSTON , MASONTOWN, MUCKALEE, NAWNEY, WEHADKEE, WILBANKS] |
| 5 | Somewhat Poorly to Poorly Drained soils of Flood Plains in the Coastal Plain. Rare to common flooding, higher positions or nearer to stream channels, high yields. [BIBB, CHEWACLA, KINSTON, UNA] |
| 6 | MINERAL-ORGANIC SOILS of the Coastal Plains: Histic <16" or Umbricepipedons. Very Poorly Drained. Fine or Silty Particle size classes. [BAYBORO, BROOKMAN, BYARS, CAPE FEAR, FORTESCUE, GULLROCK, HYDE, HYDELAND, PETTIGREW, ROPER, WEEKSVILLE] |
| 7 | MINERAL-ORGANIC SOILS of the Coastal Plains: Histic <16" or Umbric epipedons. Very Poorly Drained. Loamy Particle size classes. [ARAPAHOE, BALLAHACK, CONABY, NAKINA, PANTEGO, POCOMOKE, PORTSMOUTH, STOCKADE, TORHUNTA, WASDA] |
| 8 | MINERAL-ORGANIC SOILS of the Coastal Plains: Histic <16" or Umbric epipedons. Very Poorly Drained. Loamy Particle size classes. Low yields. [BACKBAY, DELOSS , HOBCAW, ICARIA, NEWHOLLAND, PAXVILLE] |
| 9 | MINERAL-ORGANIC SOILS of the Coastal Plains: Histic <16" or Umbric epipedons. Very Poorly Drained. Sands [BALSAM, LYNN, HAVEN, MURVILLE, POLAWANA, RUTLEGE] |
| 10 | Mineral soils, Poorly drained: Silty PSC [ACREDALE, ELKTON, ENGELHARD, GRANTHAM, LIDDELL, OTHELLO, PASQUOTANK, PERQUIMANS, TREBLOC, WYSOCKING] |
| 11 | Mineral soils, Poorly drained: Fine PSC [ARGENT BETHERA, BLADEN, CHICKAHOMINY, COXVILLE, LEAF, MCCOLL, MEGGETT, ROANOKE] |
| 12 | Mineral soils, Poorly drained: Fine loamy and Coarse loamy PSC [GRIFTON, LUMBEE, MYATT, NIMMO, RAINS, TOISNOT TOMOTLEY, TUCKERMAN, WESTON, WOODINGTON, YONGES] |
| 13 | Mineral Soils , Poorly drained Sands, no Bt within 40" [DUCKSTON, LEON, MASCOTTE, OSIER, PLUMMER] |
| 14 | Mineral soils, Somewhat Poorly drained: Silty PSC [BARCLAY, CHAPANOKE, NAHUNTA] |
| 15 | Mineral soils, Somewhat Poorly drained: Fine PSC [DUNBAR, LENOIR, NEWFLAT, WAHEE, YAUPON] |
| 16 | Mineral soils, Somewhat Poorly drained: Fine loamy and Coarse loamy PSC [AUGUSTA, DRAGSTON, FORK, JOHNS, LYNCHBURG, ONSLOW, PENDER, STALLINGS] |
| 17 | Somewhat Poorly Drained Sandy soils with Bt >20" [MANDARIN, OCILLA, SEAGATE, TOMAHAWK] |
| 18 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral soils: Silty PSC [EXUM, NIXONTON, YEOPIM] |
| 19 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral soils: Fine PSC [COWARTS, CRAVEN, DUPLIN, GILEAD, GRITNEY, INVERSHIEL, PEAWICK] |
| 20 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral soils: Fine loamy and Coarse loamy PSC [ALTAVISTA, BERTIE, BOLLING, FORESTON, GOLDSBORO, IZAGORA, MUNDEN, TETOTUM, WOODSTOWN, WRIGHTSBORO] |
| 21 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral soils: Fine loamy and Coarse loamy PSC; Root restricting layers or steeply sloping [CHARLESTON, PELION, WINTON] |
| 22 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral Soils: no Bt within top 40" [BLANTON, CHIPLEY, COROLLA, ECHAW, OUSLEY, PACTOLUS, SEABROOK] |
| 23 | Well Drained Mineral Soils : Silty and Fine PSC with high Silt [AYCOCK, MATAPEAKE, STATE, TURBEVILLE, WICKHAM] |
| 24 | Well Drained Mineral Soils : Fine PSC [CAROLINE, FACEVILLE, MARLBORO, NANKIN, VARINA] |
| 25 | Well Drained Mineral Soils : Fine loamy or Coarse loamy PSC [DOTHAN, EMPORIA, KALMIA, KEMPSVILLE, MAXTON, NOBOCO, NORFOLK, ORANGEBURG, RUSTON, SUFFOLK] |
| 26 | Well Drained Mineral Soils : Fine loamy or Coarse loamy PSC [BOJAC, BRAGG, BUTTERS, MARVYN, RUMFORD, VAUCLUSE] |
| 27 | Well to Excessively Well Drained Mineral Soils : Loamy PSC with Bt 20 to 40" (Arenic) [AILEY, AUTRYVILLE, BAYMEADE, BLANEY, BONNEAU, CHISOLM, CONETOE, FUQUAY, KENANSVILLE, LILLINGTON, LUCY, POCALLA, UCHEE, VALHALLA, WAGRAM] |
| 28 | Somewhat Excessively to Excessively Well Drained Mineral Soils : Sand PSC; >40" to Bt or no Bt (Grossarenic, Psamments) [ALAGA ALPIN, CAINHOY, CANDOR, CENTENARY, EUSTIS, FRIPP, KUREB, LAKELAND, NEWHAN, RIMINI, ST. LUCIE, TARBORO, TROUP, WAKULLA, WANDO] |
| Piedmont | |
| 101 | Poorly drained Mineral Soils; Fine PSC [ARMENIA, LEAKSVILLE, PICTURE, WORSHAM] |
| 102 | Somewhat Poorly Drained Mineral Soils of Flood Plains [CARTECAY, CHENNEBY, CODORUS, MONACAN, MONCURE, TODDSTAV] |
| 103 | Moderately Well to Somewhat Poorly Drained: Fine, Fine Loamy and Coarse Loamy PSC [BRICKHAVEN, CARBONTON, CID, COLFAX, DELANCO, HALIFAX, HELENA, HORNSBORO, LIGNUM, PITTSBORO, SEDGEFIELD, SYLACAUGA] |
| 104 | Moderately well to Somewhat Poorly; shallow channery [MISENHEIMER] |
| 105 | Moderately Well to Well Drained soils of Flood Plains [BANNISTER, BUNCOMBE, CONGAREE, DOGUE, OAKBORO, SHELLBLUFF, TOCCOA] |
| 106 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral Soils: Silty soils of Carolina Slate Belt andTriassic Basin [CALLISON, CLAYCREEK, HALLISON, KIRKSEY, MOOSHAUNEE, PAGELAND, SECREST] |
| 107 | Moderately Well Drained Mineral Soils: Fine PSC, 2:1 Clays of Triassic Basin,Shrink-Swell [CREEDMOOR, IREDELL, LACKSTOWN, ORANGE, POLKTON, WHITE STORE] |
| 108 | Well Drained Mineral Soils: Silty PSC [ALAMANCE] |
| 109 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Rhodic Features, Fine PSC [CORONACA, CULLEN, DAVIDSON, EXWAY, GASTON, GWINNETT, HIWASSEE, LLOYD, STONEVILLE, WADESBORO] |
| 110 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine, High Base Status (i.e., Alfisols) [ENON, MECKLENBURG, MOCKSVILLE, POINDEXTER, REDBRUSH, WINNSBORO, WYNOTT, ZION] |
| 111 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine, Felsic Parent Materials (Kanhapudults) [APPLING, BETHLEHEM, CECIL, CHESTATEE, CLIFFORD, FAIRVIEW, HULETT, MADISON, PACOLET, TOAST, VANCE, WEDOWEE, WESTFIELD, WOOLWINE] |
| 112 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine, Felsic PM, Root Restrictive Layers [ASHLAR, BANNERTOWN, DEVOTION, LOUISBURG, SAW, WAKE, WATEREE] |
| 113 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine, Carolina Slate Belt [BADIN, GEORGEVILLE, HERNDON, MONTONIA, NANFORD, NASON, PENHOOK, TARRUS TATUM, UWHARRIE] |
| 114 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine, Triassic Basin [CLOVER, MAYODAN, SPRAY, SURRY] |
| 115 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine and Loamy PSC, Stream Terraces [MASADA, MCQUEEN, PRUITTON, SKYUKA, STARR] |
| 116 | Well Drained Mineral Soils, Fine Loamy Upland Soils [AYERSVILLE, DURHAM, GLENELG, GRANVILLE, GROVER, PINKSTON, PINOKA, RHODHISS, RION, STOTT, KNOB] |
| 117 | Somewhat Excessively to Excessively Well Drained Mineral Soils, Loamy [CLIFFSIDE, GOLDSTON, HIBRITEN, LOCKHART, LOUISA, MEADOWFIELD, SILOAM, TALLAPOOSA, WILKES] |
| Mountains | |
| 201 | Poorly Very Poorly Drained Soils of Low Stream Terraces, Difficult to Drain. [CHATUGE, HEMPHILL, KINKORA] |
| 202 | Poorly to Very Poorly Drained Soils of Small Flood Plains and Coves, Small Backwaters. Difficult to Drain, Little elevation change from Field to Stream. Fine loamy and Coarse loamy PSC. [HATBORO, NIKWASI, SYLVA] |
| 203 | Poorly to Very Poorly Drained Soils of Flood Plains and Backwaters of Larger Rivers. Sufficient elevation for drainage. Typically having Umbric epipedons. [TOXAWAY] |
| 204 | Somewhat Poorly Drained Soils of Small Stream Flood Plains with contrasting texture (Sand and gravel within 20 to 40 inches of the surface. Easily drained in larger areas. Fine Loamy and Coarse Loamy PSC. [ARKAQUA, BANDANA, CULLOWHEE, FRENCH] |
| 205 | Somewhat Poorly to Well Drained Soils of Flood Plains on Larger Creeks and Small Rivers. Fine loamy and Coarse Loamy PSC. No Umbric Epipedons. Easily drained in larger areas. [COLVARD, IOTLA, SUCHES] |
| 206 | Moderately Well Drained Soils of Low Stream Terraces, Fans, Benches and Toe Slopes. Fine Loamy PSC. [DILLARD, WHITESIDE] |
| 207 | Moderately Well to Well Drained Mineral Soils of Flood Plains with Umbric Epipedons. Coarse Loamy PSC. [REDDIES, ROSMAN, TRANSYLVANIA] |
| 208 | Well to Excessively Well Drained Sands of Flood Plains: Stream Levees and Inner River Bends [BILTMORE, SUNCOOK] |
| 209 | Moderately Well to Well Drained Soils of the Initial Flood Plains from Mountain Streams. Rough, scoured surfaces with dips and swales. Loamy skeletal or sandy skeletal PSC. [CRAIGSVILLE, DELLWOOD, OSTIN] |
| 210 | Well Drained, Red, Fine PSC, Soils of Residual Areas, High Stream Terraces, Footslopes, and Fans [BRADDOCK, BRADSON, CLIFTON, DYKE, HAYESVILLE, NANTAHALA, RABUN] |
| 211 | Well Drained Soils in Concave Positions of High Stream Terraces and Footslopes, Fine PSC [BREVARD, DILLSBORO, LODI, UNISON] |
| 212 | Well Drained, Residual Upland Soils in Convex Positions and Irregular Slopes. Fine Loamy PSC. [BRASSTOWN, WATAUGA] |
| 213 | Well Drained Colluvial Soils of Coves, Fans, Toe Slopes and Benches. Fine Loamy and Coarse Loamy PSC. [BROOKSHIRE, KEENER, LONON, SANTEETLAH, SAUNOOK, SHELOCTA, SHOUNS, TATE, THURMONT, TUCKASEGEE, TUSQUITEE, WHITEOAK] |
| 214 | Soils of Ridges and Side slopes formed in place from high mica parent materials. Red, Erosive. (FANNIN) |
| 215 | Well Drained Soils of Stream Terraces (Second Bottoms). Rarely flooded, Fine Loamy PSC and well developed argillic horizons. [ELSINBORO, STATLER] |
| 216 | Well Drained Residual Soils of Ridgetops and Sideslopes, Irregular or Convex Positions, Erosive. [EDNEYTOWN, EDNEYVILLE, EVARD, FLETCHER] |
| 217 | Soils of North and East Facing Aspects on Slopes at Elevations of 3500 to 5000 feet. Coarse loamy PSC. [CASHIERS, PORTERS] |