Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASP-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MaximumOnly

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 24 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 23 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Proposed Benchmark: <1.0 dS/m (ECe) This benchmark is justified on several grounds: Avoidance of Salinity: A value below 1.0 dS/m is firmly within the "non-saline" classification, ensuring no negative impacts from osmotic stress or ion toxicity on plants or soil microbes.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) as measured in saturated paste extract (ECe)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil electrical conductivity level in arid Australian cropping systems that avoids salinity stress, ensuring healthy plant and microbial function.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from synthesis of data from national soil monitoring programs in analogous low-rainfall cropping regions, crop tolerance data, and ecological understanding of soil function.

Sources (1)

Synthesis of data from Soilquality.org.au and established salinity thresholds (ANZECC & ARMCANZ, 2000) GreyLiterature

Synthesis of data from Soilquality.org.au and established salinity thresholds (ANZECC & ARMCANZ, 2000)

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Salt tolerance of crops - Wikipedia

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Salt tolerance of crops - Wikipedia

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Shrublands & Stony Plains
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark of <1.0 dS/m represents a resilient system within the optimal functional range and reflects the primary management goal of preventing salt accumulation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASP-AGR-SEC family.