A soil which is mottled brown and red indicates what condition?

The indication of soil that is mottled brown and red typically points to a condition related to fluctuating water tables and aeration issues. Such mottling suggests that the soil has experienced alternating periods of saturation and dryness. When soils are saturated for extended periods, they often lose oxygen, leading to anaerobic conditions. Over time, this results in the formation of mottling, where iron oxides in the soil become stripped of oxygen and change color as the water levels fluctuate.

This mottled appearance implies that the soil has tight characteristics, which can restrict the movement of air and water. The presence of both brown and red colors represents zones of varying drainage conditions, confirming that the soil has not consistently maintained adequate aeration.

In this context, the permanence of these mottled colors is significant; they reflect short-term variations in water levels rather than a stable, well-drained environment, which would show uniform coloration. Thus, the condition indicated by mottled brown and red soil colors is indeed associated with fluctuating water tables or poor aeration, pointing to a tight soil structure.