LOCATION MENTZ TXEstablished Series
TAXONOMIC CLASS: Fine, smectitic, thermic Aquertic Chromic Hapludalfs
TYPICAL PEDON- Mentz fine sandy loam--rangeland. (Colors are for moist soil unless otherwise stated.)
A1--0 to 12 inches; brown (10YR 4/3) fine sandy loam, brown (10YR 5/3) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure parting to moderate very fine subangular blocky; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine and fine roots; common fine pores; common wormcasts, common fine faint dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/4 and 3/4) masses of iron accumulation with clear boundaries; many fine and medium faint grayish brown (10YR 5/2) and dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) iron depletions with diffuse boundaries; slightly acid; clear wavy boundary. (5 to 16 inches thick)
A2--12 to 16 inches; 60 percent grayish brown (10YR 512) and 40 percent dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) fine sandy loam, light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and grayish brown (10YR 5/2) dry; weak medium subangular blocky structure parting to weak very fine subangular blocky; soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic many very fine and fine roots; common medium pores; common wormcasts; few fine brown (10YR 4/3) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; few fine and medium distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/4 and 4/4) masses of iron accumulation with clear boundaries; strongly acid; abrupt wavy boundary. (0 to 1 0 inches)
Bt1--16 to 20 inches; 60 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) and 40 percent gray (10YR 5/1) sandy clay, light gray (10YR 7/2) and gray (10YR 611) dry; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to strong fine angular blocky; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; common very fine and fine root; few cracks partly filled with material from above; 1 percent grayish brown (10YR 5/2) coatings on vertical surfaces of peds; many distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 1 percent fine and medium rounded concretions of iron-manganese; many fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6 and 5/8) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; few fine prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation with clear boundaries; 1 percent fine rounded siliceous pebbles; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary.
Bt2--20 to 30 inches; 70 percent gray (10YR 6/1) and 30 percent light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) sandy clay, light gray (10YR 7/1) and light gray (10YR 7/2) dry; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to strong fine angular block; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few very fine and fine roots; few slickensides; few distinct pressure surfaces; few vertical cracks partly filled with material from above; many distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 1 percent fine and medium rounded concretions of iron-manganese; many fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; few fine and medium prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation with clear and diffuse boundaries; 1 percent fine rounded siliceous pebbles; moderately acid- gradual smooth boundary.
Bt3--30 to 41 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay loam, light gray (10YR 7/1) dry; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to strong fine and medium angular block; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few very fine and fine roots; few slickensides; few wedge-shaped aggregates; few distinct pressure surface; few vertical cracks partly filled with material from above; many distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 1 percent fine and medium rounded concretions of manganese; 1 percent very fine and fine barite crystals, common fine and medium prominent yellowish red (5YR 5/6) and few fine prominent red (2.5YR 5/8) masses of iron accumulation with clear boundaries; common fine and medium distinct light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6), and common fine to coarse distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; 1 percent fine rounded siliceous pebbles; moderately acid, gradual wavy boundary.
Bt4--41 to 48 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) sandy clay loam, light gray (10YR 7/1) dry; moderate medium subangular blocky structure parting to strong fine and medium angular block; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few very fine and fine roots; few slickensides; few wedge-shaped aggregates; common prominent pressure surface; few vertical cracks partly filled with material from above; many distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 3 percent fine and medium rounded concretions of manganese; 1 percent very fine and fine barite crystals; many fine to coarse distinct light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; few fine distinct dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; 1 percent fine rounded siliceous pebble; neutral; gradual wavy boundary. (Combined thickness of Bt horizons is 25 to 60 inches)
Btk--48 to 61 inches; 40 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and 40 percent brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and 20 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) sandy clay loam, 40 percent brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and 40 percent yellow (10YR 7/6) and 20 percent light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) dry; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to strong fine and medium angular block; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few very fine and fine roots; few slickensides; few wedge-shaped aggregates; few prominent pressure surface; few vertical cracks partly filled material from above; common distinct clay films on surfaces of peds; 3 percent fine and medium rounded concretions of iron-manganese; 4 percent fine to coarse rounded concretions of calcium carbonate; few fine faint gray, light brownish gray and grayish brown iron depletions with diffuse boundaries; moderately alkaline; clear smooth boundary. (0 to 20 inches)
BCtk--61 to 66 inches; 40 percent light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and 40 percent yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and 20 percent light gray (10YR 7/1) clay loam, 40 percent very pale brown (10YR 7/4) and 40 percent light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) and 20 percent white (10YR 8/1) dry; moderate coarse prismatic structure parting to moderate medium subangular blocky; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few wedge-shaped aggregates; few distinct pressure surfaces; 1 percent brown (10YR 5/3) lenses of very fine sandy loam on vertical surfaces of peds; common distinct clay films on surfaces of ped; 1 percent fine rounded iron-manganese masse; 6 percent fine and medium coarse rounded calcium carbonate concretions and masses; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 11 inches)
BCk1--66 to 74 inches; light gray (5Y 7/1) clay, white (5Y 8/1) dry; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine and medium angular blocky, extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few prominent pressure surface; 1 percent fine rounded masses of iron-manganese; 12 percent fine to coarse rounded masses and concretions of calcium carbonate; common fine and medium distinct yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) and brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and light brown (7.5YR 6/4) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries; moderately alkaline; gradual wavy boundary. (0 to 8 inches)
BCk2--74 to 80 inches; light gray (5Y 7/1) clay, white (5Y 8/1) dry; weak coarse prismatic structure parting to weak fine and medium angular blocky; extremely hard, extremely firm, very sticky and very plastic; few distinct pressure surfaces; 1 percent fine and medium rounded masses of iron-manganese; 7 percent fine to coarse rounded masses of calcium carbonate; many fine to coarse distinct brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) and yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) and very pale brown (10YR 7/4) masses of iron accumulation with diffuse boundaries, common fine and medium distinct brownish yellow (10YR 6/8) masses of iron accumulation with sharp boundaries; moderately alkaline.
TYPE LOCATION- Colorado County, Texas; East of Columbus, from the intersection of U.S. Highway Interstate 10 and Farm Road 949; 4.0 miles northeast on Farm Road 949; 0.25 mile southeast on county road; and 84 feet southwest of county road in rangeland. (Latitude: 29N, 45, 52; Latitude: 96W, 23, 02)
RANGE IN CHARACTERISTICS: Solum thickness is greater than 80 inches. Some pedons have secondary carbonates below a depth of 50 inches. Iron-manganese concretions range from none to common throughout. Ironstone pebbles range from none to common throughout. Siliceous pebbles range from none to common throughout. When dry, cracks that are 5 mm or more wide extend to depths of 2 to 5 feet. Pressure surfaces, slickensides and wedge-shaped aggregates range from few to common in the lower Bt horizons and in the BC horizons. COLE ranges from 0.07 to 0.10. Clay content of the 10- to 40- inch particle size control section ranges from 30 to 59 percent.
The combined thickness of the A and E horizons average about 15 inches thick and range from 10 to 24 inches thick. The A horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 3 to 5 and chroma of 2 to 4. Texture is fine sandy loam or sandy loam. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to slightly acid.
The E horizon, where present, has hue of 10YR, value of 4 or 5, and chroma of 2 or 3. Redoximorphic features in shades of brown or yellow range from few to common. Texture is fine sandy loam or sandy loam. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to slightly acid.
The Bt1 and Bt2 horizons have hue of 10YR, value of 4 to 7 and chroma of 1 to 8. Redoximorphic features in shades of red, yellow, brown or gray range from few to many. Most of the features contain clear or sharp boundaries and are considered relict. Texture is sandy clay or clay. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid to moderately acid.
The Bt3 and Bt4 horizons, where present, have hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6 and chroma of 1 to 6. Redoximorphic features in shades of red, yellow, brown or gray range from few to many and boundaries range from diffuse to sharp. Slickensides and wedge-shaped aggregates range none to few. Texture is clay loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay, or clay. Reaction ranges from strongly acid to slightly acid.
The Btk horizon has hue of 10YR, value of 5 to 7 and chroma of 2 to 6. Redoximorphic features in shades of red, yellow, brown or gray range from few to many with diffuse to sharp boundaries. Slickensides and wedge-shaped aggregates range from none to few. Texture is sandy clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay or clay. Masses or concretions of calcium carbonate range from few to common. Reaction is slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline.
The BC, BCk or BCtk horizons have hue of 7.5YR to 5Y, value of 5 to 8, and chroma of 1 to 6. Redoximorphic features in shades of red, yellow, brown or gray range from few to common with diffuse to sharp boundaries. Texture is sandy clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay or clay. Masses or concretions of calcium carbonate range from none to common. Reaction ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline.
COMPETING SERIES: There are no competing series in the same family. Similar soils are the Bryde, Crockett, Etoile, Hockley, Inez, Katy, Lufkin, Mockley, Tabor, Telferner, and Wockley series. Bryde, Inez, and Telferner soils are in the hyperthermic temperature regime. Crockett, Lufkin and Tabor soils are dry in the moisture control section for longer periods of time. Etoile soils have sola 40 to 60 inches thick over geologic materials. Hockley and Wockley soils have a fine-loamy particle-size control section and contain plinthite. Katy soils have a fine-loamy particle-size control sections. Mockley soils have an umbric epipedon and contain more than 5 percent plinthite.
GEOGRAPHIC SETTING: Mentz soils are on nearly level to very gently sloping Coastal Prairie (MLRA 150A) uplands. Slopes range 0 to 3 percent. The soil formed in clayey sediments of the Goliad and Willis Formations. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 38 to 42 inches, and mean annual temperature ranges from 68 to 70 degrees F. Frost free days range from 260 to 280 days, and elevation ranges from 220 to 300 feet. Thornthwaite annual P-E index ranges from 52 to 62.
GEOGRAPHICALLY ASSOCIATED SOILS: These are the Cheetham, Fordtran, Katy, Kuy, Mockley, and Wockley series. Cheetham, Fordtran, Katy and Kuy soils are on lower landscape positions near drainageways. Cheetham soils have thick sandy surface layers and contain plinthite. Fordtran soils have thick sandy surface layers. Kuy soils have sandy surface layers more than 40 inches thick. Mockley and Monaville soils are in slightly higher landscape positions. Wockley soils are lower in the landscape.
DRAINAGE AND PERMEABILITY: Moderately well drained. Permeability is very slow. Runoff is low on 0 to 1 percent slopes, and medium on 1 to 3 percent slopes. Water perches on top of the argillic horizon for 1 to 5 days after heavy rains.
USE AND VEGETATION: Many areas of this soil have been cultivated in the past. Most areas are used for improved pasture, native pasture and rangeland. Native grasses are mainly of andropogon and paspalum species.
DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Mainly in Colorado County, at the contact of the Coastal Prairie and the Claypan Savannah resource areas. The series is of minor extent.
MLRA OFFICE RESPONSIBLE: Temple, Texas
SERIES ESTABLISHED: Colorado County, Texas; 1997. The Mentz series is named after the community of Mentz located in the northeast part of Colorado County.
REMARKS: This soil was formerly mapped in the Telferner and Edna series.
Diagnostic horizons and features recognized in this pedon are:
Ochric epipedon - 0 to 16 inches. (A1 and A2 horizons)
Argillic horizon - 16 to 66 inches. (Bt and BCtk horizons)
Vertic feature - clayey with high shrink-swell, pressures surfaces, slickensides and wedge-shaped aggregates at a depth of 20 to 80 inches.
Soil Interpretation Record Number: TX1345