What does color mean?
In subsoil horizons, color reflects the natural drainage conditions. For instance, in well and moderately well drained soils, soil development is indicated by more reddish or brownish colors in the B horizon than in the C horizon.
Grayish colors in the subsoil reflect wet soil conditions. In poorly drained soils the subsoils are dominantly gray. In somewhat poorly drained soils, the subsoils are dominantly brownish with gray mottles. Mottles are flecks or spots of one soil color in a background or matrix of another color.
Using the Munsell color chart
To determine surface soil color, select a sample from the center of the surface. Crush moist soil material between your fingers and compare it with a Munsell color chart. (shown here) Mark Gray, Brownish, or Dark on the scorecard accordingly.
Note: Many Indiana surface horizons have colors between 10YR 3/3 and 10YR 4/3. If the color is near this class boundary, or other boundaries, official judges should give the Munsell designation on the site card.
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