Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSW-AGR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1100 kPa
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 17 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 16 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

This benchmark represents the penetrometer resistance (1.088 MPa, rounded to 1100 kPa) of a "loose" sandy clay loam soil (bulk density ~1.2g/cm3) from a controlled experiment, which serves as a scientifically defensible proxy for the best available condition in the un-trafficked beds of a mature, best-practice no-till, controlled traffic farming (NT-CTF) system.

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance as a measure of soil strength and compaction affecting root growth and soil physical condition.

Benchmark Definition:

Penetrometer resistance indicating soil compaction level affecting root growth and soil function in agricultural crop production within Australia's Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands.

Justification:

Derived from a controlled scientific experiment representing minimal compaction achievable under best-practice management in the biome.

Sources (1)

Preview of Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 4, 2025,
Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 4, 2025,

The grazier's guide to pastures - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (24)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
(PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Dynamics of soil penetration resistance, moisture depletion pattern and crop productivity determined by mechanized cultivation and lifesaving irrigation in zero till blackgram - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,
A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support

A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Karst and agriculture in Australia - Digital Commons @ USF, accessed July 26, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed August 4, 2025,
Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support

3- Build and maintain soil nutrients to improve soil fertility and health in all pasture zones

View Source
Preview of Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effect of combined soil water and external load on soil compaction - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,
Effect of combined soil water and external load on soil compaction - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction under grazing of annual and perennial forages - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover, accessed August 28, 2025
Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover, accessed August 28, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,
No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding soil pH, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Organic and clay amendments to improve the productivity of sandy soils - Research findings fact sheet, accessed July 6, 2025,
Organic and clay amendments to improve the productivity of sandy soils - Research findings fact sheet, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management ..., accessed July 7, 2025,
SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management ..., accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian agriculture - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central
Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central
Contextual Support

Soil Compaction of Pastures - King Conservation District, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 30, 2025,
Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 22, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems - BioOne Complete, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems - BioOne Complete, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Compendium of Smart Sugar Practices - Queensland Government

View Source
Preview of Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,
Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support

Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil strength influences wheat root interactions with soil macropores - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil strength influences wheat root interactions with soil macropores - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction and controlled traffic ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years
Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years
Contextual Support Journal

What is Regenerative Agriculture? - Soils For Life, accessed August 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The-Potential-Use-for-Groundwater-Use-by-Vegetation-in-the-Aust.-Arid-Zone.pdf - Northern Territory Government
The-Potential-Use-for-Groundwater-Use-by-Vegetation-in-the-Aust.-Arid-Zone.pdf - Northern Territory Government
Contextual Support Journal

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Tyre configuration and axle load of front-wheel assist and four-wheel drive tractors effects on soil compaction and rolling resistance under no-tillage - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Tyre configuration and axle load of front-wheel assist and four-wheel drive tractors effects on soil compaction and rolling resistance under no-tillage - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Subsurface Compaction - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Functional Range: Optimal range is <1500 kPa; Lower Critical Threshold ~1500 kPa; Upper Detrimental Threshold >2500 kPa. Applicable across sandy, loamy, and clayey soils.