Soils of the - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

LULU SOILS
Location and Extent : Lulu soils occupy scattered areas in Richmond Municipality, the Serpentine-Nicomek l
Valley and the eastern lowlands of Delta Municipality. There are about 280 ha of pure map units and 1180 ha o f
soil complexes dominated by Lulu soils . Most complexes are with Richmond, Lumbum and Triggs soils .
Topography and Elevation : Lulu soils are generally level to very gently sloping or gently undulating wit h
slopes less than 2 percent . They are often slightly depressional in relation to adjacent mineral soils and li e
between 1 and 4 m above sea level .
Parent Material and Texture : Lulu soils have developed from partially decomposed organic deposits ,
between 40 and 160 cm thick, which overlie moderately fine or fine-textured deltaic sediments . Surfaces var y
from undecomposed to well-decomposed, depending on whether and how long they have been cultivated . Th e
subsurface deposits are partially decomposed (mesic) and consist of mixed moss, sedge and shrub remains i n
the upper part and mainly sedges and reeds in the lower part . The underlying subsoil mineral material is silt y
clay loam or silty clay . It is usually moderately to strongly saline and high in sulphur compounds . A few areas o f
Lulu soils are mapped where once deeper organic deposits have been partially excavated for commerical peat .
Soil Moisture Characteristics : Lulu soils are very poorly drained . They are moderately pervious and hav e
very high waterholding capacity and slow surface runoff . The watertable is near, or sometimes at, the soi l
surface for most of the winter and during rainy periods of the summer ; some areas are subject to surfac e
ponding .
General Soil Description : Lulu soils usually have about 15 cm of black to reddish-brown, friable, partiall y
decomposed (mesic), cultivated organic material at the surface . This is underlain by between 30 and 140 cm o f
dark brown or dark reddish brown, weakly stratified, partially decomposed organic material in which individua l
moss, sedge and woody plant remains are identifiable . Under the organic material is gray or greenish-gray ,
massive, clayey material which is usually saline and contains common to few, yellowish mottles . Soil reaction s
are extremely acid throughout . Soil classification is Terric Mesisol.
Commonly Associated Soils : Lumbum, Richmond, Triggs and Vinod soils often occur in close association
with Lulu soils . Lumbum soils are similar to Lulu soils except that the partially decomposed, organi c
material is more than 160 cm deep. Richmond soils differ by consisting dominantly of well-decompose d
(humic) organic material and Triggs soils differ by being composed of deep, essentially raw organic materia l
derived mainly from moss . Vinod soils differ by consisting of 15 to 40 cm of organic material over saline, clayey ,
mineral soil .
Vegetation : Uncleared areas of Lulu soils support variable vegetation including birch, shore pine, hardhack ,
Labrador tea, western red cedar, western hemlock, bracken and several mosses . Rooting is mainly restricted to
the upper 50 cm by high groundwater tables . Saline subsoil conditions are usually sufficiently deep to have littl e
effect on growth of most plants .
General Land Use Comments : (1) Lulu soils are limited for agricultural use by high watertables an d
extreme acidity. Adequate water table control and liming will allow production of most annual crops which ar e
not very sensitive to "wet-feet". Perennial crops are mainly limited to those able to withstand high watertable s
during the winter months . Artificial drainage should provide watertable control sufficient for the crops grown .
Overdraining will accelerate subsidence and decomposition of the organic material which, in some areas, ma y
cause the saline subsoil to depress crop growth . (2) Urban and similar uses are poorly suited for Lulu soils .
Bearing strengths are very low and high watertables preclude basements or similar excavations . High waterta -
bles also make septic tanks unsuitable . Severe corrosion of unprotected in-ground installations, such a s
utilities, is likely due to the saline subsoil conditions .
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