Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASP-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.2 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: 0.2, Upper: —

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: LowerThreshold

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

General guidance suggests that ECe values below 0.2 dS/m may indicate potential nutrient deficiencies for crops.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) lower critical threshold indicating nutrient limitation

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the lower critical soil electrical conductivity threshold below which nutrient deficiencies and impaired ecosystem function may occur in arid cropping soils.

Justification:

Inferred from agronomic science and ecological relevance indicating nutrient limitation at low EC levels in arid soils.

Sources (1)

Salt tolerance of crops - Wikipedia GreyLiterature

Salt tolerance of crops - Wikipedia

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Below this threshold, the soil ecosystem is likely nutrient-limited, functionally impaired, and lacking resilience.

Related Benchmarks

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