Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 dS/m

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 2

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

A proposed reference value indicating high environmental health for soils under best-practice sustainable crop production in the target biomes is an ECe of < 1.0 dS/m, and certainly not exceeding 1.5 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) measured on Saturated Paste Extract

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the maximum soil electrical conductivity (ECe) level indicating high environmental health for soils under sustainable crop production in the target biomes, aiming to minimize salt-induced stress on crops and soil ecosystems.

Justification:

This benchmark is based on the widely accepted 'non-saline' classification of ECe < 2.0 dS/m and aims to minimize salt-induced stress on both cultivated crops and the broader soil ecosystem.

Sources (1)

Ausveg (2007). Soil Health for Vegetable Production in Australia Ute Guide. Journal

Ausveg (2007). Soil Health for Vegetable Production in Australia Ute Guide.

View Source

Supporting Sources (13)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Diagnosis and management of sodicity and salinity in soil and water in the Murray Irrigation region - ResearchGate

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Environmental Weed Risk of Revegetation and Forestry Plants

View Source

4.3 SALINITY 4.4 HYDROGEOLOGY - Major Projects

Contextual Support

PREDICTION OF SOIL SALINITY SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ITS MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS FOR RICE PRODUCTION IN MAGOZI IRRIGATION SC - SUAIRE

View Source

aasf.org.au

Contextual Support Journal

aasf.org.au

View Source

Changes in evapotranspiration and phenology as consequences of shrub removal in dry forests of central Argentina - CONICET

Contextual Support Journal

Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Associated ... - DCCEEW, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source

Preview of Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Contextual Support

The population dynamics of pastures, with particular reference to southern Australia.

View Source

Preview of Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

A survey of farms on the Central, Southern and Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales: management practices, farmer knowledge of native grasses, and extent of native grass areas - ResearchGate

View Source

Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Lowland native grasslands of Tasmania - DCCEEW

Contextual Support Journal

Draft Conservation Advice for the Drooping Sheoak ... - DCCEEW

View Source

Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government

View Source

oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com

Contextual Support Journal

oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com

View Source

Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health

View Source

simlesa.cimmyt.org

Contextual Support

simlesa.cimmyt.org

View Source

Tools and systems for assessing soil health | VRO | Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

SUSTAINABLE USE AND CONSERVATION OF SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND INVERTEBRATES CONTRIBUTING TO BIOREMEDIATION AND NUTRIENT CYCLING - FAO Knowledge Repository

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

Represents a state of high environmental health under sustainable/regenerative cropping, maintaining conditions well within the 'non-saline' classification, minimizing salt stress for sensitive crops and broader soil biota. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:19 UTC: UpperThreshold 1.5 → 2 (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Swapping values to correct form misassignment: the MaximumOnly threshold should be 2.0 dS/m as per the MinimumOnly Notes indicating an upper degradation limit. This aligns with the evidence that ECe > 2.0 is detrimental.)

Related Benchmarks

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