Suolo - 2003 - A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemon

European Summer School on Soil Survey 

EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOL 

ON SOIL SURVEY 

A Field Guide to the 

Soil-landscapes of the 

Piemonte eastern plain 

Istituto per le Piante da Legno 

e l’Ambiente 

(I.P.L.A. S.p.A., Torino) 

Settore Suolo 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE 

2003 

A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain EUR 20829 EN


A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain




This document may be cited as follows: 

F Fabio Petrella 

Petrella, F., Piazzi, M., Martalò, P., Roberto, P., Giannetti, F., Alliani, N., Ancarani, V., Nicoli, G., 

Salandin, R. & Filippi, N. (2003). A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain. 

European Soil Bureau Research Report No.14, EUR 20829 EN, 33pp. Office for Official Publications of the 

European Communities, Luxembourg. 

The following Soil Staff technicians have collaborated: 

Fabio Petrella Soil survey, classification and preparation of text. Field trip organisation 

Mauro Piazzi Technical Coordinator 

Paolo Martalò Field organisation 

Paolo Roberto Field organisation 

Fabio Giannetti Satellite image interpretation 

Nicoletta Alliani Laboratory analysis 

Vanessa Ancarani Laboratory analysis 

Giuseppina Nicoli Cartographic design 

Roberto Salandin General coordination. Interpretation of Soil Resources 

Nicola Filippi – Detached National Expert, JRC Ispra 

COVER PICTURE 

SATELLITE IMAGE OF THE EASTERN PIEMONTE PLAIN, ITALY 



EUROPEAN SUMMER SCHOOL 

ON SOIL SURVEY 

A Field Guide to the 

Soil-landscapes of the 

Piemonte eastern plain 

Istituto per le Piante da Legno 

e l’Ambiente 

(I.P.L.A. S.p.A., Torino) 

Settore Suolo 



Mission of the JRC 

The mission of the Institute of Environment and Sustainability is to provide scientific and technical support 

to EU strategies for the protection of the environment and sustainable development. Employing an 

integrated approach to the investigation of air, water and soil contaminants, its goals are sustainable 

management of water resources, protection and maintenance of drinking waters, good functioning of 

aquatic ecosystems and good ecological quality of surface waters. 

Legal Notice 

Neither the European Commission nor any person 

acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for 

the use, which might be made of the following information. 

A great deal of additional information on the 

European Union is available on the Internet. 

It can be accessed through the Europa server 

(http://europa.eu.int) 

EUR 20829 EN 

© European Communities, 2003 

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged 

Printed in Italy 



Table of contents 

1 The soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain ................................................1 

2 Geological and geomorphological characteristics .................................................5 

3 Land cover.................................................................................................................7 

4 STOP 1: The River Sesia Northern Plain.............................................................13 

4.1 The Landscape...................................................................................................13 

4.2 Soils in general ..................................................................................................14 

4.3 Towards a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection .............................................15 

4.4 The representative soil profile...........................................................................15 

4.5 Profile of Stop 1 ................................................................................................16 

5 STOP 2: The River Sesia Southern Plain.............................................................18 

5.1 The Landscape...................................................................................................18 





6 STOP 3: The Old Terraces (Novara hills)............................................................22 

6.1 The Landscape...................................................................................................22 





7 The physical and chemical analysis ......................................................................32 

8 References ...............................................................................................................32 

European Soil Bureau Research Reports.............................................................34 




TESTO BIANCO Testo bianco 






1 The soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain 

The area (Figures 1 and 2) is very representative of the Piemonte landscape features, in 

particular of the complex morphologies, typical of the valleys exits, where old terraces 

and actual plains cross, forming characteristic physiographic patterns. 

Pedogenetic factors pose interesting problems of soil interpretation, with high spatial 

variability in a relative small area. 

Within few kilometres, an west-east chrono-toposequence crosses the area from the Sesia 

bed to Novara ‘hills’, built on, across the geological eras, the oldest fluvioglacial deposits 

as far as the most recent Sesia alluvium. 

Also the soil cover reflects this variability, offering a good alternation of natural wood 

landscapes, harmoniously merged into the agricultural field patterns of rice-growing and 

vineyards. 

These are the reasons why the Soil Staff of the Forestry and Environment Institute 

(IPLAspa, Turin) has chosen this area a study window for the realisation of the Piemonte 

soil map in a scale1:250,000, on the behalf of the regional administration, in the national 

framework of the Italian soil map at the same scale. 

A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain 1

1 Stop 1: 

å 

Sesia Plain 

Sizzano area 

2 

å 

Stop 2: 

Sesia Plain 

Briona area 

3 Stop 3: 

å 

Old Terraces 

Barengo area 

å 

1 

3 

å 

2 

å 

The Topographic Map used for 

the Carthography is derived from the 

"Atlante Stradale d'Italia" (1:200.000 Scale) 

published by Touring Club Italiano. 

Figure 1. Geographic location of the field trip and study sites

Lago Lago 

Lago 

Maggiore Maggiore 

dÒrta 

Ispra 

SESIA 

( Cusio Cusio ) 

( Verbano ) 

TICINO 

SESIA 

BIELLA 

1 

å 

3 

å 

2 

å 

CANALE CAVOUR 

CERVO 

SESIA 

L. di Viverone 

NOVARA 

ELVO 

Figure 2. Study window representation by remote sensing data 

VERCELLI 

CANALE CAVOUR 

SESIA


4 



2 Geological and geomorphological characteristics 

This is a high plain area, characterised by strips of old terraces, residuals of the great 

cones made by fluvial-glacial material formed at the mouth of the Alpine valleys, during 

the Quaternary cold periods. 

The material of the highest terrace is attributable to the fluvial-glacial Mindel and is 

composed by very altered coarse gravelly alluvial. The intermediate terrace is constituted 

by more recent pebbly and gravelly material that is attributable to Riss and Wurm. The 

actual level of the plain is attributable only to Wurm and is characterised by coarse 

material, which becomes finer in proportion with the distance from the valleys mouth into 

the plain (Figure 3). 

Figure 3. The image, derived from the Terrain Digital Model, shows the relief 

characteristics of the study area. 



6 



3 Land cover 

In Figure 4 it is possible to see the general characteristics of the area, as it appears on the 

image from LANDSAT 5 the 8 th of August 1998. This is represented so that the 

wavelength of the Near Infrared (NIR) is brought to the Red Channel, that of the Short 

Wavelength Infrared to the Green Channel, and the Visible Red to the Blue Channel. By 

the combination of these wavelengths it is possible to select the areas with vegetation 

represented by brown and brown-reddish (wood and shrubs) or orange and red (sown and 

grass field). 

In the image the presence of different landscape patterns it is clearly visible, from the 

brown-greenish large bands of woods and shrubs along the old terraces, to the blue of the 

urbanised areas, expanded continuously along the road axis, and the pink-red of the rice 

fields in the southern area. 

Figure 4. Image from LANDSAT 5 (08/08/98) 


Luvisols (WRB, 1998) 

Alfisols (USDA, 1998) 

A1 

A2 

A4 

Highly developed soils, loamy or finer textures, low permeable, 

with a strongly structured reddish-brown argillic horizon, tongues 

or fragipans. They are mainly located on old terraces. 

(WRB, 1998: Profondi-Albic Luvisols, Albic Luvisols; 

USDA, 1998: Typic Paleudalfs, Fragic Paleudalfs). 

Highly developed soils, loamy or finer textures, low permeable, 

with a strongly structured greyish-brown argillic horizon, tongues 

or fragipans. They are mainly located on old terraces. 

(WRB, 1998: Albi-Epigleyic Luvisols; 

USDA, 1998: Typic Fragiaqualfs, Fragic Epiaqualfs). 

Hydromorphic, poorly drained, developed soils with an argillic 

horizon, scarcely recognisable because of the greyish colour of 

reduced iron depletions. 

(WRB, 1998: Epigleyic Luvisols; USDA, 1998: Typic Epiaqualfs). 

Cambisols (WRB, 1998) 

Inceptisols (USDA, 1998) 

B1 

B3 

Fluvisols (WRB, 1998) 

Entisols (USDA, 1998) 

C1 

Deep, well drained, scarcely developed soils, with a moderately 

structured altered horizon. Rooting and workability are without 

limitations. 

(WRB, 1998: Dystri-Fluvic Cambisols, Dystric Cambisols; 

USDA, 1998: Fluventic Humic Dystrochrepts, Fluventic 

Dystrochrepts). 

Gravelly, scarcely altered soils, with a weakly structured altered 

horizon. Gravels, within 50 cm, limit rooting and workability. 

(WRB, 1998: Dystri-Episkeletic Cambisols, Episkeleti-Fluvic 

Cambisols; 

USDA, 1998: Lithic Humic Dystrochrepts, Lithic Dystrochrepts). 

Deep, well drained, not developed alluvial soils, without altered 

horizon. No limits of rooting and workability. 

(WRB, 1998: Dystric Fluvisols, Dystri-Humic Fluvisols; 

USDA, 1998: Umbric Udifluvents, Typic Udifluvents). 

Deep, well drained, not developed alluvial soils, without altered 

C3 

horizon. Gravels, within 50 cm, limit rooting and workability. 

(WRB, 1998: Episkeleti-Humic Fluvisols, Episkeletic Fluvisols; 

USDA, 1998: Umbric Udifluvents, Typic Udifluvents). 

1å 

Stop 1: Sesia Plain - Humi-Fluvic Cambisol (Hyperdystric) 

2 

å Stop 2: Sesia Plain - Hyperdystri-Stagnic Cambisol 

3å 

Stop 3: Old Terraces - Profondi-Albic Luvisol 

Figure 5. Legend of Soil Map 1:250.000 scale

o 

d 

C1 

B6 

B6 

Forno 

RR 

RR B6 

C1 

Gravellona Toce 

VERBANIA 

Casale Corte Cerro 

B6 

C6 

M 

Carcoforo C6 

B6 

Massiola 

B6 

Rimella 

Valstrona B6 

astallone 

Loreglia 

Baveno 

B6 C6 

A8 

Isola Bella 

C6 

Fobello 

Rima S.Giuseppe 

B6 

C6 

Germagno 

Cervatto 

IL MOTTARONE B6 

B6 

C6 

Stresa 

Omegna C6 

Quarna sopra Agrano 

C6 

A8 

B6 Quarna sotto 

Gignese 

C6 

Rimasco P.zo TRACCIORA 

Sabbia 

Brovello Carpugnino 

A8 

A8 

RR 

Nonio 

Cravagliana 

Camasco 

B6 

Belgirate 

B6 

A8 

bia 

Rossa 

Vocca 

Cesara 

A8 B6 

B6 

B6 

C6 

Boccioleto 

Lesa 

Armeno 

Mollia 

Sovazza 

B6 

C6 

Balmuccia 

Varallo B6 

Pettenasco 

Massino Visconti 

Arola 

B6 

Nebbiuno 

B6 Campertogno 

B6 Civiasco 

Pellino 

Miasino 

Scopa 

BEC DÒVAGA B6 

Pella B6 Orta S.Giulio 

A8 

B6 

A8 

Pisano 

C3 

Mad.na del Sasso 

A8 

A8Ameno 

B6 Colazza B6 

6 

A8 C3 

GhevioMeina 

Scopello 

B6 B6 

Rassa Piode Pila 

S.Maurizio d'Opaglio 

B6 

B6 

C6 

Breia 

Quarona 

Bolzano N.se 

A1 Pogno 

Invorio 

Arona 

Cellio 

Oleggio Castello 

A8 

A1 Gozzano Paruzzaro C3 

M.CAMPARIENT 

Soriso 

B6 

A1 

Briga N.se 

Il L.Ne 

Valduggia 

A8 

B6 

A1 

Gargallo 

Dormelletto B6 

I BO 

BORGOSESIA 

Postua 

B3 

A8 

B6 

B6 

C1 

M.FENERA 

R 

B6 

A1 

A1 

Comignago 

Gattico C3 Castelletto C3 so 

C6 

Ailoche Guardabosone C6 

B6 

C6 

Vergano N.se 

Borgomanero B1 

Caprile 

Maggiora 

Veruno 

Coggiola 

Serravalle Sesia 

B6 

A1 

Borgo Ticino 

Crevacuore 

a 

B6 

C3 

B3 

Grignasco 

A1 

Portula Pray 

A8 Boca 

Piane 

Cureggio 

Agrate ConturbiaB1 

Trivero A8 

Sesia 

ampiglia Cervo 

B3 

A1 

Bogogno 

6B6 

Quittengo 

A8 

Cavallirio 

Varallo Pomb C 3 

B6 

Sostegno 

Divignano 

lo Cervo 

Camandona Mosso S.Maria 

C6 

A1 

Prato Sesia 

Cressa 

Veglio Pistolesa 

B3 

Pombia 

Valle Mosso 

A8 Soprana 

Fontaneto d'Agogna 

Callabiana 

Romagnano Sesia 

B1 

Tavigliano 

Mezzana Curino 

Suno 

Marano Tici 

Sagliano M.ca Selve Marcone 

Mortigliengo 

Lozzolo 

A1 

Miagliano A1 Pettinengo Strona 

Villa del Bosco 

C3 

Andorno Micca Valle S.Nicolao Casapinta 

A8 

Gattinara 

Mezzomerico 

A8 

A1 

Roasio 

C3 

Crosa 

Cavaglio d'Agogna 

Bioglio Vallanzengo 

Mombello Brusnengo 

Cavaglietto 

Tollegno Zumaglia 

Lessona Masserano 

Oleggio 

Pralungo Ternengo 

Piatto 

A8 

Vaprio d'AgognaB1 

A8 

Ghemme 

A1 

A1 A8 

B1 

ollone C3 

Ronco B.se Quaregna 

A1 A1 

BIELLA Valdengo Cossato 

1 Sizzano 

å 

B1 Barengo 

Momo 

Occhieppo Sup. 

Cerreto Castello A1 

3 

o 

Vigliano B.se 

å 

Bellinzago N 

A1 

B3 

Occhieppo Inf. 

A2 

B1 

Lenta 

B1 Fara N.se 

Alzate 

Peschiere 

B1 

burzano 

Gaglianico 

Briona 

B3 Ponderano 

Rovasenda 

onticello 

Candelo 

Carpignano Sesia2 

B3 

Castellengo 

Ghislarengo å 

Sologno 

Sandigliano 

A2 

B3 

Mongrando 

A1 

A1 

Castelletto Cervo 

Sillavengo 

Benna 

Caltignaga 

Borriana 

A1 

C3 

Castellazzo N.se 

B2 B3 

B2 

B2 Verrone 

Mottalciata 

B1 S.Giacomo V.se 

Cam 

biena 

Massazza 

Arborio Landiona 

C3 C3 

A2 

Zanga 

Gifflenga 

Mandello Vitta 

C1 

A4 

Nibbia 

Villanova B.se 

B1 

Casaleggio Novara 

6 

Buronzo 

Vicolungo 

Cerrione 

Magnano 

Vigellio 

C.se 

A8 

Balocco 

Recetto 

B1 

Zimone 

Greggio 

Biandrate 

Piverone 

Arro 

S.Pietro Mosezzo 

B6Salussola 

B1 

B3 

L. di Bertignano 

Villarboit 

S.Nazzaro C1 Sesia 

B1 

D6 

Casalbeltrame 

Viverone Dorzano 

Albano V.se 

NOVARA 

F1 Roppolo 

A1 

Formigliana 

Torrione Quartara 

L. di Viverone 

A1 

imo Rottaro F1 

Cavaglià 

Carisio B1 

B2 Ponzana 

F1 

Lumellogno 

Casanova Elvo Oldenico 

A8 

Collobiano 

Casalvolone 

A1 A3 

ano C.se B6 

Cameriano 

DEL MONTE 

B2 

B1 

Villata 

B2 

Gar 

B6 C1 

B2 

A3 Quinto V.se 

Monticello 

A5 

A4 

C1 

omasino Alice Castello 

B2 

C1 

Santhià 

Olcenengo 

Nibbiola 

B2 

B1 

Caresanablot 

A3 

B6 

Borgo d'Ale 

S.Germano V.se 

Casalino 

Granozzo con Monticello A3 

Borgo Vercelli 

Maglione 

A5 

Maglione 

B3 

Tronzano V.se 

Capriasco 

vello 

A3 Figure 6. Study window in the Piemonte Soil Map 1:250.000 scale 

A5 

B1 

B2 

llo 

Crova 

Salasco 

N.11 VERCELLI 

A3 

Vinzaglio C2 

B1 

Bianzè 

Sali V.se 

C1 

Cigliano 

Bo 

B1 Larizzate Cappuccini 

A3 

Venaria 

Casino Castellazzo 

Lignana 

Livorno Ferraris 

C.na Molinetto 

Prarolo 

Nonai 

gna 

gna 

iolana 

igliano igliano 

d i 

d i 

Se 

O rop a 

iolana 

Se 

N.144 

Iv rea 

rm 

en 

en 

Sorba 

Dolca 

Sessera 

Olobbia 

N.593 

z a 

z a 

SE SIA 

Egua 

Elvo 

Elvo 

S 

n n a a 

o tr 

N.143 

Il Navilotto 

Serm e 

Serm e 

N.232 

A 21 

nz a 

Barbina 

Chiebbia 

Chiebbia 

N.143 

N.11 

Comba di Valmala 

Comba di Valmala 

Confienzo 

A 4 

Canale Depretis 

N.299 

Croso Gavala 

Cerv o 

a 

Stron 

Strona 

N.232 

CANALE CAVOUR 

di Postu a 

D u 

N.142 

Ostola 

g 

Mastallone 

Mastallone 

gi a 

gi a 

Trio gna 

Sabbiola 

Elvo 

G u arab ione 

la 

B aa gnoo 

S.Giorgio 

P asc one 

Sesse ra 

N.230 

R 

R 

gia 

g 

A 26/4 

tron tron 

S 

del 

a 

Rovasenda 

Rovasenda 

rch ese 

a M 

m 

O di 

Rialone 

Cervo 

S tron 

Rovasenda 

e gn a 

e gn a 

S tron 

Fiumetta 

Valduggia 

a di di 

Colompasso 

Roggia 

M archiazza 

lagna 

o 

M 

SESIA 

d el 

d el 

o 

Roccia 

arch archeseese 

M 

A 4 

Naviglio di Ivrea 

N.455 

N.594 

C e 

o o 

Lag 

Ò rta 

Ò rta 

SE SIA 

rv o 

S 

Stron 

Stron 

( Cusio Cusio ) 

iz zone 

di 

a 

Pescone 

S S trona trona 

egna 

Om 

Bonda 

di Bri ona 

N.299 

Ondella 

Ondella 

Agogn a 

Agogn a 

N.31 

S 

N.33 

Rio della Valle 

Selva 

Airola 

Tessera 

izzo ne 

izzo ne 

Rio della Valle 

A 26 

Airola 

a 

Spess 

Erno 

Agogna 

a 

Vever 

Lirone 

Rese 

Ern o 

A CAN LE CAVOUR 

SESIA 

Agogna 

N.142 

A 26 

Ern o 

( Verbano ) 

N.229 

Lago Lago 

Terdoppio Novarese 

Agogna 

N.11 

M aggiore 

M aggiore 

N.33 

Agamo 

N.299 

Rito 

Rito 

Agogna 

A 26/8 

N.32 

T 

Canale 

IC 

Arbogna 

INO 

Regi 

Regi 

CANALE 

N.211


10 


250 

A SCALA 1:50.000 SECONDO LA CARTA TECNICA 

SOIL MAP 1:250.000 

Soil-landscapes study window 

LOCALIZZAZIONE IN AMBITO REGIONALE DEL FOGLIO 

019 020 

035 036 

051 052 # 053 

VB 

071 072 073 074 

091 092 BI 093 094 

# 

# 095 

NO 

112 113 114 115 116 NO 117 

152 # 

# 

132 

VC 

133 134 135 136 137 138 

TO 

153 154 155 156 157 158 159 

171 172 173 174 

AT AL 

175 # 176# 

177 178 

189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 

207 208 209 CN 210 211 212 213 214 

224 225 

# 

226 227 228 

242 243 244 245 

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT 

NOVARA PLAIN 

1:50.000 SCALE 

U1036 

WRB, 1998: Profondi-Albic Luvisols, Albic Luvisols; 

USDA, 1998: Typic Paleudalfs, Fragic Paleudalfs. 

U1035 WRB, 1998: Dystric Fluvisols, Dystri-Humic Fluvisols, 

Episkeleti-Fluvic Cambisols, Dystri-Fluvic Cambisols; 

USDA, 1998: Umbric Udifluvents, Typic Udifluvents. 

S.Nicolo' 

U1040 

WRB, 1998: Dystri-Fluvic Cambisols, Dystric Cambisols, 

Dystri-Episkeletic Cambisols, Episkeleti-Fluvic Cambisols; 

USDA, 1998: Fluventic Humic Dystrochrepts, 

Fluventic Dystrochrepts. 

# 1 Stop 1: Sesia Plain - Humi-Fluvic Cambisol 

(Hyperdystric) 

Stop 2: Sesia Plain - Hyperdystri-Stagnic Cambisol 

# 2 Stop 3: Old Terraces - Profondi-Albic Luvisol 

Note: 

La legenda costituisce un'elaborazione sintetica della legenda standard della 

CARTA DEI SUOLI a scala 1:50.000, a cui si rimanda per la completa definizione delle 

classi dei Suoli. 

Le sigle di colore rosso presenti in carta ( U1029 ) identificano le Unità Cartografiche di Suolo. 

La fonte dei dati per il fondo topografico è la CTRN - Servizio Cartografico Regione Piemonte. 

0 

V I G N O L E 

Rio 

V A L G I O L O 

U1036 

C.to Barbavara Mandria 

C.na Aurora 

V A L L E R A C E 

250 

250 

250 

Fornace 

Ghemme 

250 

StradaperFara 

della 

D I G H E M M E 

B O S C O 

250 

250250 

C.lo 

Fornace 

250 

Torrente 

250 

Ghemme 

S.Sebastiano (rov.e) 

Santuario di Rado 

250 

250 

B A R A G G I O N E 

Valle 

B A R A G G I A 

Strona 

C.na Carita' 

C.to Furno 

250 

B O S C O D I 

250 

Cotonif.o Crespi 

R.gia 

B O S C O D E L R E 

S.Clemente 

B A R A G G I O N E 

S I Z Z A N O 

250 

Mora 

Lazzaretto 

Catanea C.na 

Fosso 

Marchese 

250 

S.Giorgio (Rov.e) 

S.Paolo Podere 

250 

del 

250 

del 

Re 

250 

250 

250 

S.Antonio 

A26 

FIUME 

Roggia 

250 

250 

U1036 

250 

250 

S.Bartolomeo 

250 

250 

250 

250 

Rog.a 

250 

250 

250 

l'Assunta 

Torrente 

Sizzano 

S.Giuseppe 

# 

Oriale 

F.so della Valle Sorca 

250 

P I A N O N E 

R O C C O L O 

P A L A N C H I N A 

Cantorina 

Gattinara 

250 

la Mola 

Colombarolo C.na 

250 

250 

250 

250250 

Roggia 

Font.na Marcia 

S.S. 

Selvabella C.na 

F.so 

250 

1 

Santhia 

# 

3 

250 

250 

250 

N O C C H E 

Cascinetto 

B O S C O P I A N E 

B O S C O 

Marchesa C.to della 

R.gia Mora 

C.na Nuova 

C.na Colombara 

Cascinetta 

Tre C.na Confini 

C.na Ferrera 

la 

(N.594) 

C.lo 

U1041 

250 

250 

250 

250 

Colombera d'Anselmin 

250 

U1037 U1036 

U1042 

SESIA 

Molinara 

250 

U1036 

250 

250 

Campasso C.na 

F.S. 

250 

250 

250 

250 

V E C C H I O 

Remme 

250 

250 

250 

C.lo 

Torrente 

del C.na Bosco 

S.Giulio 

B A R A G G I A D I L 

250 

250 

250 

U1035 

U1038 

250 

Riseria Negri 

Ist.o S.Gerolamo 

Novarese Fara 

Cavetto 

V E R S O R E L L A 

S.Eugenio 

la Pieve 

C.na delle Monache 

V A L 

C E R E S O L E 

VALLE DEI RONCATI 

Strona 

200 200 

F.so 

Noca 

Cast.o Miglio 

C.na Stoppani 

Trivulzio 

Comunita' C.na 

200 

200 

200 

S.Maria 

Cantina Sociale 

RONCATI 

Camorina 

Rog.a 

Cavetto Trioulzio 

Modello 

Lenta 

Campagna Mad.na di 

U1029 U1030 C.to del Medico 

U1031 U1032 U1034 

il Riale 

200 

dell'Avvocato 

Roggia 

200 

VALLEDEI 

Strona T. 

Roggia 

Bonino 

200 

U1036 

Mad.na dei Campi 

Caccetta 

Cavo 

Rio 

C.del Guardiacaccia 

Serb.i 

C.na del Giardino 

Rio 

C.na Marchiazza 

Mora 

Briona 

Rog.a 

Cascinetta 

C.na Dardanona 

C.na Grande 

# 

2 

Cavo 

Font.naConte Trivulzio 

Cavallero 

C.na Mazzoni 

Mad.na delle Grazie 

Carpignano Sesia 

SESIA 

Pista Ficusello 

Piumerro 

Orcorio 

Torrente 

Figure 7. Soil Map 1:250.000 

200 

Dondoglio 

C.na delle Monache 

C.na Belvedere 

C.na Salera 

Ladro 

Cavo 

Cavo 

C.Cantu' 

S.Rocco 

Carpignano Sesia 

S.Agata 

FIUME 

Piccolo 

NUOVA 

BARAGGIA 

Bissone 

Marchiazza 

U1040 

Cantorina 

Cavo 

Ladro 

Paltana 

S.Apollinare 

200 

U1033 

Mad.na dell'Orio 

Cascinetta 

Prati 

C.na Gallinetta 

Cavo 

Imp.to ghiaia estrazione e sabbia 

Ghislarengo 

Cavo dei 

Cavo 

C.to della Briglia 

U1043 

C.na Regina 

C.na Goretta 

C.na Gorettina 

C.na Usellina 

C.na Bianca 

U1039 

Ladro 

C.na Massima 

Comune 

C.na Bellaria 

C.na Dolcenea 

C.na Ronchetto 

C.na Cravera 

-di sopra 

C.na Ronchi- 

-di sotto 

Molinara 

Sillavengo 

Roggia 

Faisina 

Rog.a 

Dondoglio 

U1043 

C.na Cappelletti 

C.na Fizzotti 

C.na Collobie 

C.na Ligorina 

S.Germano 

S.Graio 

C.ne Gianotti 

Cavo 

Castellazzo Novarese 

Cavo 

Font.na 

Molinara 

Busca 

C.na dei Confini 

C.na Moranza C.na Livelli C.na S.Giacomo 

C.na Tacita 

C.na Baraggiola 

C.na S.Antonio 

S.Rocco 

Camodea S.Maria di 

dell'Ospedale 

C.na Biola 

Font.na 

Farlenga 

Camannone 

C.na Galoppa C.na Valtoppo 

Roggia 

Roggia 

R. Orcorio 

C.na S.Felice 

Grande 

C.na Flecchia 

C.na Gagliarda 

Gagliarda 

Biraga 

Rog.a 

Pennino C.na Baraggione 

Morina Font.na 

SESIA 

la 

C.na del Cervo 

Boggione 

Viogna 

Rog.a 

Cavo 

C.Sciarea di sopra 

C.na Cerro 

Colombano 

Parucca 

DI 

C.na Valtoppina 

la Casera 

S.Lorenzo 

200 

FIUME 

BAREGGIASOPRA 

C.na C.na Taverna Speranza 

C.na Eurosia 

C.Sciarea di sotto 

Roggia 

Torrente 

C.na Mezzano 

Font.na Cavazzola 

Arborio 

Landiona 

Castagnea 

C.na Vittona 

C.na Belvedere 

C.Bossolina 

Marchiazza 

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 m 

1500 m 

september 2002


12 



4 STOP 1: The River Sesia Northern Plain 

4.1 The Landscape 

The area is almost triangular, with vertices into the urban centres of Ghemme, Briona and 

Carpignano Sesia. It has the river Sesia as the western limit and the old terrace slope as 

the eastern limit. The soils are developed from recent deposits (Wurm) of the river Sesia, 

constituted by sands and gravels. 

Agricultural uses in this area are limited by climatic and pedological characteristics. 

The presence of cold winds from the Sesia high valley reduces the possibilities of maize 

production to late cultivars and stops rice-growing. High permeability and diffuse 

presence of gravel and coarse sands also in the profile head reduce available water 

capacities and often workability is conditioned. Intensive cereal production and also 

forage yields are not profitable. 

Mixed woodland is diffuse, both along the riverbanks and in the middle of the plain 

(Versorella woods), where locust-trees are dominant but, more sporadically, oak, chestnut 

and maple are also present. Poplar cultivation is very common, especially on the most 

recent alluvial deposits. Orchards and vineyards, witness of an ancient frame of rural 

arrangements, are scattered all over the landscape. 

The weak altimetrical gradient has a north-south direction, due to the Sesia alluvial cone. 

The most characteristic landscape element is the absence of a homogeneous rural pattern 

and, consequently, a discontinuity in the field arrangements and in the pedo-landscape 

units. The highway traces this appearance, cutting the plain into two parts. 

Another negative factor is the chaotic urbanisation of the main urban centres, especially 

Carpignano Sesia, but also, in general, the diffuse presence of industrial settlements 

scattered on the land. 

Also relevant is the network of canals drawing water from Sesia River for irrigation, even 

where these systems are not completely in working order, because of lack of maintenance. 

A large band of locust-tree woods covers the eastern artificial bank of the Sesia River; 

these trees grow vigorously on fine sands, included among coarser deposits, and are 

supplied by shallow groundwater. This area, called Scimbla park, extends from Ghemme 

to Carpignano. It constitutes an important landscape that is now protected. 



4.2 General description of the soils 

Along the Sesia river, under the most recent alluvia, Humic Fluvisols, Skeletic Fluvisols 

and Skeleti-Humic Fluvisols (WRB, 1998) are present. Under woodland it is also possible 

to find Skeleti-Umbric Fluvisols (WRB, 1998). 

In the part of the plain more distant from the river, better developed soils are present: the 

Fluvic Cambisol (WRB, 1998), and, in some gravelly areas, the Skeleti-Fluvic Cambisol 

(WRB, 1998). Some other soils are characterised by a dark epipedon, rich in organic 

matter, so that the proposed classification can be Humi-Fluvic Cambisol according to 

‘Lecture Notes on the Major Soils of the World’ (FAO, World Soil Resources Report # 94, 

2001). 

According to the U.S. Soil Taxonomy the soils are: Typic Udifluvent, coarse-loamy, 

mixed, non-acid, mesic (USDA, 1998), with umbric, gravelly and sandy phases; and 

Fluventic Dystrudept, coarse-loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic with humic, gravelly and 

sandy phases (USDA, 1998). 

The main soil characteristics are: 

• sandy texture 

• contact with a gravelly substratum in average within 1 meter 

• acidification of topsoil with some weak illuviation of Fe-organic complex, in case 

of humic epipedon, such as a B layer can be definied 

• presence of an intermittent gravel layer of few centimetres among the sandy 

horizons 

These elements are all limiting factors for agriculture, which is often restricted to poplar 

cultivation, especially on the most recent alluvium. At one time, woods would have 

covered all the land and it possible to deduct from this the presence of an intermittent 

organic layer of few centimetres thickness, which sometimes appears buried by some 

decimetres of sandy deposits from the very recent Sesia floods. 

14 



Today powerful agricultural machines can plough without too many difficulties into 

gravelly topsoils, so that it is possible to exploit the fertility residues of these humic 

layers, which also contribute to a higher available water capacity. 

In any case the percentages of coarse particles in the texture fine fraction are very high, so 

the permeability remains very high and AWC low: these factors are greatly limiting the 

Land Capability of this area. 

4.3 Towards a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection 

With regard to the official Communication of the Commission of the European 

Communities ‘Towards a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection’ (Brussels, 16.4.2002 

COM(2002) 179 final), it is now appropriate to calculate the total area of the kinds of soil 

(see IPLA Soil Maps) that have been lost forever, in the last 40-50 years, because of the 

urban settlements of Romagnano Sesia, Gattinara, Ghemme, Carpignano Sesia, Fara and 

Sizzano. 

This urbanisation has not taken account of the productivity of these soils, that have been 

assessed as class II according to a methodology similar to the USDA Land Capability 

Classification. 

In spite of good water availability, these soils show a different distribution of subsurface 

gravels through the irregular growth of maize stems, especially where ancient river 

courses cross the fields. This means that their potential capacity to protect groundwater 

from pollution is low or very low. Because of superficial erosion, due to the area 

morphology (alluvial cone), there should be a reduction in the cultivation of crops that 

leave the soil bare for many months thus exposing it to the erosive effects of heavy rains. 

The importance at this time of not reducing organic matter in this type of soil, and instead 

maintaining or increasing it, can be solved by taking into consideration that soil carbon 

content depends on the amount of erosion taking place and, indirectly, on cropping 

systems that do not leave the ground bare after harvesting, as has been the case in many 

of our soils during the past 30-40 years. This trend is more and more significant since the 

EC Directives have reduced cattle breeding and consequently the possibility to practise 

spreading of organic manures. 

According to these views, this kind of soil could be better utilised if reconverted to 

grassland: a choice that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions (according to Kyoto 

protocol) and add value by recreating ancient landscapes. 

4.4 The representative soil profile 

The representative soil profile comprises the following horizon sequence: Ap-Bw-C1-C2 

The topsoil is a brown sandy-loam in texture with evidence of a significant amount of 

organic matter, probably due to woodland cover in the recent past. Gravel content in the 

upper horizon is such that it is not a limitation for mechanised agriculture, is superficial 

(30 cm) in any case. 

In the underlying layer, gravel content is also low, texture is still sandy-loam, but the 

Munsell colour is olive-brown, the sign of progressive impoverishment of organic matter. 

Rooting is still good. The weak blocky structure and the brown colour are signs of a Bw 

horizon. 



The first C horizon starts where some hydromorphic features are visible (mottling and Fe- 

Mn masses), maybe due to waterlogging in the past. In the second C horizon there is an 

high percentage of coarse sand, so that it can be called 2C, even if the discontinuity is not 

clear, and most probably being grey-coloured it is the oldest deposit of Sesia River. 

4.5 Profile of Stop 1 

Profile code: PIEM0402 

Classifications: 

Humi-Fluvic Cambisol (Hyperdystric) (WRB; 1998; ‘Lecture Notes on the Major 

Soils of The World’, FAO, World Soil Resources Report # 94, 2001) 

Fluventic Dystrudept, coarse-loamy, mixed, nonacid, mesic (USDA, 1998), 

Horizon designations: Ap-Bw- C-2C 

Diagnostic horizons: Ochric, Cambic, Fluvic 

Location: Fontana Marcia (Sizzano, NO) 

Photograph taken in a profile 50 m away from the described and analysed soil 

Physiography: middle of a fluvial plain 

Elevation: 228 m slm 

Drainage: well drained 

Groundwater: not far from the surface 

Land Use: soya 

Parent Material: fluvio-glacial Wurm 

Ap: 0 to 30 cm; moist; brown (10YR4/3); sandy-loam; 3 percent medium and coarse 

pebbles; cloddy structure; few fine macropores; few fine roots; firm; very weakly 

cemented; non-sticky; slightly plastic; noncalcareous; abrupt linear boundary. 

Bw: 30 to 50 cm; moist; light olive brown (2.5Y5/4) with light olive brown (2.5Y5/3); 

sandy-loam; 3 percent medium and coarse pebbles; weak medium subangular blocky 

structure, common fine macropores; few fine roots; firm; very weakly cemented; nonsticky; 

non-plastic; noncalcareous; clear, wavy boundary. 

C1: 50 to 85 cm; moist; light yellowish brown (2.5Y6/4) with olive brown (2.5Y5/3); 

faint common medium yellowish brown (10YR5/4) mottles; massive structure; medium 

common macropores; few fine roots; firm; very weakly cemented; non-sticky; nonplastic; 

noncalcareous; few fine Fe-Mn masses on the primary particles; gradual wavy 

boundary. 

C2: 85 to 130 cm; moist; grayish brown (2.5Y5/2) with light olive gray (5Y6/2); sandy; 

20 percent medium and coarse pebbles; single grain structure; friable; extremely weakly 

cemented; non-sticky; non-plastic; noncalcareous; unknown boundary. 

16 



Photo by courtesy of Erika Micheli 

Horizon Ap Bw C1 C2 

Depth cm 30 20 35 45 

pH in H 2 O 5,4 5,6 5,8 6,2 

Gravel % 2 2 2 15 

CaCO 3 % 0 0 0 0 

Coarse sand % 7,2 10,9 5,5 78,2 

Fine sand % 45,7 53,9 61,5 17,6 

Coarse silt % 16,3 13,3 13,4 2,1 

Fine silt % 23,9 16,9 14,0 0,0 

Clay % 6,9 5,1 5,6 2,1 

Organic carbon % 1,76 0,69 0,06 0,04 

Total nitrogen % 0,17 n.d. n.d. n.d. 

C/N 10,2 n.d. n.d. n.d. 

Organic matter % 3,03 1,18 0,10 0,06 

C.S.C. meq/100g 15,2 8,5 n.d. 4,4 

Ca meq/100g 1,19 0,58 n.d. 0,26 

Mg meq/100g 0,17 0,31 n.d. 0,06 

K meq/100g 0,22 0,31 n.d. 0,28 

Basic saturation% 10 14 n.d. 14 

P available mg/Kg 65 n.d. n.d. n.d. 



5 STOP 2: The River Sesia Southern Plain 


In the southern area of the Sesia plain, the landscape is characterised by the dominance of 

intensive rice-growing, which is very profitable, even if it is not located on the most 

suitable soils. The northern limit of this cultivation in the area is the axis Carpignano 

Sesia – Briona: beyond it, the high Sesia plain does not have favourable pedoclimatic 

features. 

This plain is flat, and a definitive ancient Sesia passage is almost blocked by the 

arrangement of the rice chambers. On the western margin near Sesia River the traditional 

landscape is characterised by poplars and a land use of maize-grass rotation, but ricechambers 

have constructed as far as the riverbanks, also on the most sandy soils. 

On the eastern margin near the old terraces, the passage of a stream, Strona, coming from 

the narrow valleys inside the terraces, and a large canal for irrigation are the main agents 

of morphological change in the area. Here it is possible to find soils with finer textures, 

perhaps the sign of a more developed pedogenesis. In any case this area has the highest 

rice yields and the lowest water consumption for irrigation. 


Most of the soils, comprising sandy-gravelly alluvia from the Sesia River, have been 

significantly changed due to the construction of rice fields (chambers). The original soil 

type is the Dystric Fluvisol (WRB, 1998), which has acquired redoximorphic features for 

artificial gley conditions, so that it can be classified as a Dystri-Stagnic Fluvisol (WRB, 

1998). In U.S. Soil Taxonomy these soils are Typic Udifluvent, sandy, mixed, nonacid, 

mesic and the anthraquic and oxyaquic phases. 

18 



A strip of less gravelly soils, from Briona to Castellazzo, has finer coarse-loamy texture, 

with higher water capacities. In the profile at STOP 2 a cambic horizon in contact with 

altered pebbles is recognisable. Groundwater, introduced by irrigation water for ricegrowing, 

produces redoximorphic features such that the provisional classification is 

Dystri-Stagnic Cambisol (WRB, 1998). 

Along the Sesia valley, the most recent alluvia, Humic Fluvisols, Skeletic Fluvisols and 

Skeleti-Humic Fluvisols (WRB, 1998) also occur. Under woodland cover, it is also 

possible to find Skeleti-Umbric Fluvisols (WRB, 1998). 


The soil profile examined, which is under poplar trees, is not much different from the 

profile at STOP1 concerning the key-productive, environmental and socio-cultural 

functions. 

This soil has been under rice but was planted with poplar trees, probably because of its 

marginality: therefore the negative effects on the original landscape and the topsoil, 

typical of rice growing areas, are no longer evident. Nevertheless we should emphasise 

that the submersion irrigation techniques used for rice growing require a perfect levelling 

of the field by very large movements of earth material. This brings to the fore other 

concerns about soil protection, for example ‘how much of this kind of soil, around this 

site, is still used for rice-growing?’ 

The profile excavation shows the proximity of the rice-fields through a groundwater level 

that is higher than the natural water table of this area. Therefore, if the rice-field water 

contributes initially to increasing the groundwater level, this is an indication that to 

maintain submersion of the field very large amounts of irrigation water will be needed, 

because of high soil permeability. 

In calculating the exact costs and energy balances, the importance of water resources now 

becomes evident. Water infiltration, intensive leaching, and consequent soil fertility loss, 

cause eutrification in the underlying groundwater. Moreover the pollution of deep and 

surface waters by pesticides and herbicides is another serious problem that must be 

considered. 

Finally, by observing the soil cover, in this case a poplar-grove, it is also possible to 

evaluate the Land Suitability for this cultivation. Ten years after planting, the productive 

results are very modest and confirm the evaluation criteria, defined by IPLA Soil Sector 

along its long experience in Piemonte, about the pedological requirements for a good 

cultivation of poplar trees. 


It comprises the following sequence of layers: Ap-Bw-BC-C1-C2 

The topsoil is characterised by sandy-loam texture and by olive brown Munsell colour. A 

low pH is probably due to acidification under aquic conditions induced by rice-growing. 

The subsoil is characterised by the presence of mottles and an evidently altered B layer 

with yellowish brown and brown Munsell colours and a subangular blocky structure. The 

depth and quantity of hydromorphic features is very variable and depends on the net of 

irrigation channels and relative groundwater. 






Hyperdystri-Stagnic Cambisol (WRB; 1998) 

Oxyaquic Dystrudept, coarse-loamy over sandy-skeletal, mixed, nonacid, mesic 

(USDA, 1998), 

Horizon designations: Ap - Bw - BC – C1 – C2. 

Diagnostic horizons: Cambic, Stagnic 

Location: C. S.Martino (Briona, NO) 

Photograph taken in a profile 25m away from the described and analysed soil 

Physiography: middle of a fluvial plain 


Drainage: well drained 

Groundwater: not far from the surface 

Land Use: poplar 

Parent Material: fluvio-glacial Wurm 

Ap: 0 to 40 cm; moist; olive brown (10YR4/4); sandy-loam; 10 percent medium and 

coarse pebbles; cloddy structure; few fine macropores; common fine roots; friable; 

noncemented; slightly-sticky; slightly plastic; noncalcareous; clear linear boundary. 

Bw: 40 to 65 cm; moist; yellowish brown (10YR5/6) with brown (10YRY5/3); sandyloam; 

12 percent coarse pebbles; weak medium subangular blocky structure, common 

fine macropores; few fine roots; friable; noncemented; slightly-sticky; slightly-plastic; 

noncalcareous; clear, linear boundary. 

BC: 65 to 100 cm; moist; light olive brown (2.5Y5/6) with yellowish brown (10YR5/8); 

sandy-loam; 20 percent coarse pebbles; single grain structure; very few fine roots; very 

friable, noncemented; non-sticky; non-plastic; noncalcareous; abrupt, linear boundary. 

C1: 100 to 130 cm; moist; olive (5Y4/3) with olive gray (5Y4/2); faint common fine light 

olive brown (2.5Y5/6) mottles; sandy; 65 percent coarse pebbles; single grain structure; 

very friable, non-cemented; non-sticky; non-plastic; noncalcareous; abrupt, linear 

boundary 

C2: 130 to 150 cm; moist; olive gray (5Y4/2) with olive (5Y5/3); sandy; 65 percent 

coarse pebbles; single grain structure; very friable, noncemented; non-sticky; non-plastic; 

noncalcareous; unknown boundary. 

20 



Photo by courtesy of Erika Micheli, 

Horizon Ap Bw C 

Depth cm 40 25 30 

pH in H 2O 4,4 5,8 5,6 

CaCO 3 % 0,0 0,0 0,0 

Coarse sand. % 8,7 7,9 69,2 

Fine sand.% 47,3 46,8 22,7 

Total sand% 56,0 54,8 91,8 

Coarse silt % 16,3 16,1 2,3 

Fine silt % 19,5 21,0 3,2 

Total silt % 35,8 37,1 5,4 

Clay % 8,2 8,2 2,7 

Organic carbon % 1,69 0,95 0,13 

Organic matter % 2,91 1,64 0,23 

Total nitrogen % 0,14 n.d. n.d. 

C/N 11,9 n.d. n.d. 

Cation Exchange Capacity 

(meq/100g) 

11,2 12,5 12,1 

Exchangeable Ca (meq/100g) 1,25 4,15 3,00 

Exchangeable Mg (meq/100g) 0,25 0,92 0,75 

Exchangeable K (meq/100g) 0,08 0,20 0,23 

Basic Saturation % 5 44 41 

Available Phosphorus 

(meq/100g) 

22 n.d. n.d. 



6 STOP 3: The Old Terraces (Novara hills) 


The landscape of the old terraces is most typical of the area, as it represents many aspects 

of the natural environment of “Baraggia” - the hornbeam and oak woods and the moor. 

In the field trip area, a Mindelian terrace shows a wavy morphology, with deeply cut and 

eroded surfaces, crossed by streams and small valleys, winding up through steep slopes. 

In the natural landscape grape growing, the most important agricultural activity of this 

area is harmoniously included. 

In the recent past, vineyards almost entirely covered the terrace western slope. This is the 

best site, influenced by a favourable exposure and better soil conditions, for high quality 

grapes production. 

Nowadays the vineyard cultivation area is decreasing both on the top and on the slope. 

Significant fragmentation of land holdings is one of the economic constraints for wine 

growing that needs to be on larger farms work with bigger processing plants if the activity 

is to compete adequately in the markets of today. 

Anyway a good potential of high quality wine production is based on the well-known 

‘Ghemme’ trademark, which has been classified as a wine of ‘Denomination of 

Controlled and Guaranteed Origin’. 

22 



On the western terrace, the anthropic effects due to the agricultural activity are evident. A 

network of rural roads permits entry to the vineyards spread throughout the area. 

Woodlands are found especially on the slopes towards the Strona river and woody 

vegetation invades the waste lands. 

On the middle and eastern terraces the land use is more diverse with the typical vegetation 

of Baraggia and less intensive grape growing. This is because the wine is not of highquality 

because of less favourable climatic and soil conditions. In addition these areas are 

further away from the farms and urban centres. 

Some pine stands, planted in the seventies as fast growing tree cultivation, can also be 

found. 




From the geological point of view, the soil parent material is attributable to the Mindel 

fluvio-glacial alluvium, according to FG.43 of the Geological Map of Italy. 

From the field surveys of the old terraces which are 25-40 m above the plain, a paleosoil, 

with an average depth of 3 m., developed over gravelly layers comprising very altered 

pebbles and cemented by sandy materials, has been identified. 

The basic diagnostic characteristic is the presence of an argic (argillic) horizon (a storage 

of illuvial clay) and the relative steadfastness of clay percentage with the increase of 

depth. 

Another diagnostic feature is the presence of an albic horizon with high colour value and 

a low chroma (Munsell), the sign of a depleted layer overlaying an illuviation horizon. 

The most common soil type, under woodland cover, is Profondi-Albic Luvisol (WRB, 

1998); in some cases a cemented layer, classified as fragipan, is described in the soil 

profile, but is not used to classify the soils as the WRB classification system does not 

include it in the Luvisols qualifiers list. 

According to USDA (1998), these soils are classified as Typic Paleudalfs, fine-silty, 

mixed, nonacid, mesic and Fragic Paleudalfs, fine-silty, mixed, nonacid, mesic) 

In the first meter, these soils are very rich in silt, so that their properties are not suitable 

for agriculture. High resistance, toughness, plasticity and stickiness, and low permeability 

are characteristic. 

These properties create many difficulties for cultivation and unfortunately there are few 

other possibilities for agricultural use. Only grape growing can be developed, and not 

everywhere, as an alternative to the ‘Baraggia’ vegetation. 

24 



Also vineyards, which are traditionally planted in the Piemonte clayey soils, are affected 

by stagnant water in this kind of paleosoil, and therefore the quantity and quality of 

grapes are reduced. 

Different pedological situation are described in the slopes where gravels are brought to 

the surface and paleosoils are mixed into colluvia with the coarser gravelly substratum. 

Where on slopes woodlands are found, the soils develop into Cambisols (WRB, 1998), 

starting from the eroded argic horizon. In the case of the vineyards, tillage and consequent 

erosion continuously move the soils preventing further development from Regosols 

(WRB, 1998). 

In this last case, conditions for soil aeration and drainage, from which roots can benefit, 

are better even if steep slopes can hinder tillage operations. 


Soil conservation in the more fertile Piemonte areas has been one of the main activities of 

IPLA Soil Sector, but, while the best soils on the plains have been lost to urbanisation, 

this very old soil has survived almost untouched. 

The morphology of the alluvial terraces and residual edges of the larger and old Padana 

plain, where this soil developed, has been preserved from complete removal by river 

erosion, because it is protected by its position in the landscape. 

The low soil fertility has always been well known and has resulted in this area being 

excluded from use for settlements and main roads. Covered by mixed deciduous woods 

this land was only put into cultivation at the end of the seventeenth century. 

In spite of serious soil limitations, farmers have developed wine growing according to 

local needs, creating a tradition, which survives today even if it is very much reduced. In 

addition, despite the soil being suitable to forage crops for feeding to beef cattle, the 

present market support schemes are aimed at reducing beef production. 



For several decades, cultivation on this land has reduced and untilled (fallow) fields are 

now increasing, after some alternative solutions have failed. In particular during the 

1960s, vineyards were substituted by fast growing non-native conifer plantations, when 

the environmental protection culture was still latent. 

It is now paradoxical to see that on the one hand the best and fertile soils, on the 

underlying plain, have been continuously lost to agriculture whilst on the other hand, land 

planners do not choose the less fertile and non-irrigated land, characterised by this site, 

for development. The planning process has missed the opportunity of greatly reducing or 

stopping the sacrifice of productive areas. 

The most recent lost opportunity was the construction of the new Simplon motor-way in 

the direction of the lakes and into the Ossola valley, that has taken away more productive 

soils, and missed a more panoramic route. An alternative route would also have been 

safer because of a lower risk of thick fog and a lower risk of groundwater contamination 

in case of accidents involving the transport of toxic materials. A integrated rational 

transport policy would have taken these considerations into account. 

With respect to the EC guidelines for good agricultural practice for sustainable 

development, the considerations above suggest a new perspective is needed for the role of 

agriculture in environmental protection. Accordingly, the land where ‘STOP3-type’ soils 

are dominant, which occupy >200,000 ha in Piemonte, could make a significant 

contribution to the greenhouse gases reduction, by facilitating the conversion to 

permanent grassland, together with valuable wood production. 


It comprises the following sequence: Ap-A/E-E/B-Bt1-Bt2-Bt3-Btc1-Btc2 

In the first meter, there are three silty-loam horizons, which can be attributed to two kinds 

of geo-pedological processes: loess deposition and clay illuviation. 

Trenching for vineyard plantation mixing soil layers, so that reading of the head profile is 

now more difficult and, consequently, also sampling and interpretation. 

Clay illuviation and formation of red clayey layers, rich in iron-manganese nodules, are 

more evident in the bottom of the profile, which can reach 3m before contact with the 

much altered gravelly substratum. 

Clay illuviation has followed a multiphase path, as well shown in the micromorphological 

images of the Bt layers reported after the profile description. 

26 






Profondi-Albic Luvisol (Cutanic) (WRB, 1998) 

Typic Paleudalf, fine-silty, mixed, nonacid, mesic (USDA, 1998) 

Horizon designations: Ap – A/E - EB – Bt1 – Bt2– Bt3 –Btc1 – Btc2 

Diagnostic horizons: Albic, Argic 

Location: Pianone (Barengo, NO) 

Photograph taken in a profile 150 m away from the described and analysed soil 

Physiography: top of old terrace 


Drainage: somewhat poorly drained 

Groundwater: deep 

Land Use: vineyards 

Parent Material: fluvio-glacial Mindel 

Ap: 0 to 30 cm; moist; light olive brown (2,5Y 5/3); with olive brown (2,5Y 4/4); siltyloam; 

cloddy structure; few fine macropores; common fine roots; friable, slightly sticky, 

slightly plastic; noncalcareous; abrupt smooth boundary. 

A/E: 30 to 50 cm; moist; olive yellow (2,5Y 6/6); with light yellowish brown (2,5Y 6/4); 

common medium faint olive yellow (2,5Y 6/8) mottles; silty-loam; moderate coarse subangular 

blocky structure; common fine macropores; common fine roots; friable; slightly 

sticky; slightly plastic; noncalcareous; common medium iron-manganese concretions; 

wavy clear boundary. 

E/B: 50 to 90 cm; moist; light gray (2,5Y 7/2); with brownish yellow (10YR 6/6); 

common medium faint brownish yellow (10YR 6/8) mottles, with brown (7,5YR 4/4); 

silty-loam; strong medium angular blocky structure; common medium macropores, few 

fine roots; friable; moderately sticky; moderately plastic; noncalcareous; common fine 

iron-manganese concretions; few clay coats on primary particles; clear irregular 

boundary. 

Bt1: 90 to 160 cm; moist; olive yellow (2,5Y 6/6); brown (7,5YR 4/4) peds; common fine 

diffuse yellow (10YR 7/8) mottles, with reddish yellow (7,5YR 6/8); loamy; strong 

medium angular blocky structure; common fine macropores, few fine roots; firm; 

moderately sticky; moderately plastic; noncalcareous; common fine iron-manganese 

nodules; common clay coats on primary particles; clear wavy boundary. 

Bt2: 160 to 180 cm; moist; light grey (10YR 7/2) with yellow (10YR 7/8); brown (7,5YR 

4/4) peds; clay-loam; massive structure; firm; moderately sticky; moderately plastic; 

noncalcareous; common fine iron-manganese nodules; few clay coats on primary 

particles; gradual wavy boundary. 



Bt3: 180 to 210 cm; moist; pale yellow (2,5Y 7/4); dark yellowish brown (10YR 4/6) 

peds; common fine faint brownish yellow (10YR 6/8) mottles; clay-loam, moderate very 

coarse prismatic columnar structure; firm; moderately sticky; moderately plastic; 

noncalcareous; common fine iron-manganese nodules; common clay coats on primary 

particles; gradual wavy boundary. 

Btc1: 210 to 240 cm; moist; olive brown (2,5Y 4/4); with yellowish brown (10YR 5/6); 

brown (7,5YR 4/4) peds; common fine faint brownish yellow (10YR 6/8) mottles, with 

yellow (10YR 7/8); and strong brown (7,5YR 5/8); clay-loam; weak medium prismatic 

columnar structure; firm; moderately sticky; moderately plastic; noncalcareous; many 

medium iron-manganese nodules; common clay coats on primary particles; gradual wavy 

boundary. 

Btc2: 240 - 300 cm; moist; yellowish red (5YR 4/6); with reddish grey (5YR 5/2); reddish 

brown (5YR 4/4) peds; clay-loam; strong medium angular blocky; firm; moderately 

sticky; moderately plastic; noncalcareous; many coarse iron-manganese nodules; many 

clay coats on primary particles; unknown boundary. 

Photo by courtesy of Erika Micheli 

28 



Horizon Ap1 Ap2 E Bt Btc1 Btc2 

Depth cm 10 20 30 40 60 20 

pH in H 2 O 5,5 6,0 6,2 6,2 6,9 6,9 

Gravel % 0 0 0 0 0 0 

CaCO 3 % 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 

Coarse sand % 3,4 3,5 3,8 3,4 5,4 11,7 

Fine sand % 23,6 21,9 24,0 22,6 20,2 22,5 

Coarse silt % 25,1 28,0 25,8 24,8 16,7 12,3 

Fine silt % 31,6 27,4 26,5 26,2 21,2 17,6 

Clay % 16,4 19,2 19,9 23,0 36,5 35,8 

Organic carbon % 1,46 0,39 0,50 0,36 0,18 0,26 

Total nitrogen % 0,15 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 

C/N 10,0 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 

Organic matter % 2,50 0,67 0,86 0,63 0,32 0,45 

C.S.C. meq/100g 9,77 6,54 8,23 11,67 20,46 20,20 

Ca meq/100g 2,75 2,15 1,95 3,70 8,25 8,75 

Mg meq/100g 0,50 0,67 1,17 3,42 6,08 5,75 

K meq/100g 0,31 0,03 0,04 0,04 0,04 0,04 

Basic saturation% 36 44 38 61 70 72 

P available mg/Kg 38 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. 

Micromorphologic analysis 

In the following double images in polarised light (crossed Nicols) and normal light 

(parallel Nicols), it is possible to see the pores (dark areas in polarised light) with the 

deposition of translocated clay on the walls. The redder the skin the older it is. Many 

gradations of red colour are visible, the orange and yellow skins being the most recent. In 

polarised light white spots are crystal minerals. 



Thin section of a Bt layer in normal light (parallel Nicols) 

Thin section of a Bt layer in polarised light (crossed Nicols) 

30 



Zooming into a thin section of a Bt layer under normal light (parallel Nicols) 

Zooming into a thin section of a Bt layer under polarised light (crossed Nicols) 



7 The physical and chemical analysis 

The analytical work was carried out according to the following phases: 

1. Drying of the soil samples from the field surveys and sieving at 2 and 0.5 mm. 

2. The topsoils and diagnostic horizons have been analysed for: 

• Particle-size analyses by pipet method 

• pH by potentiometric measure in soil dilution 

• calcium carbonate by gas volumetric method (Dietrich-Fruehling) 

• cation exchange capacity in BaCl2 at pH 8.2 

• exchangeable calcium in barium and atomic absorption 

• exchangeable magnesium in barium and atomic absorption 

• exchangeable potassium in barium and atomic absorption 

• organic carbon by acid-dichromate digestion (Walkley-Black). 

Samples of topsoils have also been analysed for total nitrogen, by Kieldhal digestion, and 

absorbable phosphorus, by Olsen method. On the argillic horizons a micromorphological 

analysis was performed by thin sections and chemical determination of Fe forms by 

dithionite-citrate and oxalate extraction. 

8 References 

IPLA, 1982. The Piemonte land use capability classification, Edition l'équipe, Turin. 

IPLA, 2002. Fieldbook for soil survey and description, not published. 

Munsell, 1992. Soil color chart. Macbeth, New York. 

Carraro F., Bortolami G., Sacchi R., 1967. Notes for the Geological Map of Italy, 1:100,000. 

Fg.43, Roma. 

USDA, NRCS. 1998. Keys to Soil Taxonomy. Eighth edition. 

Soil Survey Division Staff USDA, 1993. Soil survey manual. U.S. Government Printing Office. 

World Reference Base for Soil Resources, FAO, 1998 

Official soil analytical chemical methods, National Pedological Observatory, Rome, 1994 

USDA, 1972. Soil survey laboratory methods and procedures for collecting samples. Soil 

Conservation Service. Washington DC. 

Soil Conservation Service, 1984. Procedures for collecting soil samples and method of analysis 

for soil survey. USDA. 

32 


European Soil Bureau Research Reports 

No.1 European Land Information Systems for Agro-environmental Monitoring. D. King, R.J.A. Jones and 

A.J. Thomasson (eds). EUR 16232 EN, 284pp. (1995). Office for the Official Publications of the 


No.2 Soil Databases to support sustainable development. C. Le Bas and M. Jamagne (eds). EUR 16371 

EN 149pp. (1996). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. 

No.3 The use of pedotransfer in soil hydrology research in Europe. A. Bruand, O. Duval, H.Wösten and 

A. Lilly (eds). EUR 17307 EN 211pp. (1997). Office for Official Publications of the European 

Communities, Luxembourg. 

No.4 Land Information Systems: Developments for planning the sustainable use of land resources. H.J. 

Heineke, W. Eckelmann, A.J. Thomasson, R.J.A. Jones, L. Montanarella and B. Buckley (eds). EUR 

17729 EN 546pp. (1998). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 

Luxembourg. 

No.5 Georeferenced Soil Database for Europe: Manual of Procedures Version 1.0. European Soil Bureau, 

Scientific Committee. EUR 18092 EN 184pp. (1998). Office for Official Publications of the 


No.6 Soil Resources of Europe. P. Bullock, R.J.A. Jones and L. Montanarella (eds). EUR 18991 EN 

202pp. (1999). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. 

No.7 Soil Classification 2001. Erika Micheli, Freddy O. Nachtergaele, Robert J.A. Jones & Luca 

Montanarella. (2002). EUR 20398 EN, 248pp. Office for Official Publications of the European 


No.8 Soil Geographical Database for Eurasia & The Mediterranean: Instructions Guide for Elaboration at 

scale 1:1,000,000. Version 4.0. J.J. Lambert, J. Daroussin, M. Eimberck, C. Le Bas, M. Jamagne, D. 

King & L. Montanarella. (2003). EUR 20422 EN, 64pp. Office for Official Publications of the 


No.9 Soil Resources of Europe: incorporating EU Candidate Countries. P. Bullock, R.J.A. Jones & L. 

Montanarella (eds). (2003). EUR 20559 EN [In Press] Office for Official Publications of the 


No.10 Land Degradation. L. Montanarella and R.J.A. Jones (eds). (2003). EUR 20688 EN, 324pp. Office 

for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. 

No.11 Soil erosion risk in Italy: a revised USLE approach. M. Grimm, R.J.A. Jones, E. Rusco & L. 

Montanarella. (2003). EUR 20677 EN, 23pp. Office for Official Publications of the European 


No.12 Validation of soil erosion risk assessements in Italy. A.J.J. Van Rompaey, P. Bazzoffi, R.J.A. Jones, 

L. Montanarella & G. Govers. (2003). EUR 20676 EN. 25pp. Office for Official Publications of the 


No.13 Validation of soil erosion estimates at European scale. A.J.J. Van Rompaey, V. Vieillefont, R.J.A. 

Jones, L. Montanarella, G. Verstraeten, P. Bazzoffi, T. Dostal, J.Krasa, J. Devente, J. Poesen. 

(2003). EUR 20827 EN, 24pp. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 

Luxembourg 

No.14 Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemonte eastern plain F. Petrella, M. Piazzi, P. Martalò, P. 

Roberto, F. Giannetti, N. Alliani, V. Ancarani, G. Nicoli, R. Salandin, & N. Filippi. (2003). EUR 

20829 EN, 33pp. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg.

Mission of the JRC 

The mission of the Institute of Environment and Sustainability is to provide scientific and 

technical support to EU strategies for the protection of the environment and sustainable 

development. Employing an integrated approach to the investigation of air, water and soil 

contaminants, its goals are sustainable management of water resources, protection and 

maintenance of drinking waters, good functioning of aquatic ecosystems and good ecological 

quality of surface waters.

Suolo - 2003 - A Field Guide to the Soil-landscapes of the Piemon

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