Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.2 dS/m
Range: 0.1 to 0.4 dS/m
Thresholds: Lower: 0.1, Upper: 0.6
Optimal Range: 0.1 to 0.4
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 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

The benchmark of 0.2 dS/m (ECe) represents a best-on-offer condition for sustainably managed agricultural soils in Australia's high-rainfall tropical regions.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) as measured by the Electrical Conductivity of the Saturated Paste Extract (ECe) in dS/m.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal soil electrical conductivity level for sustainably managed agricultural soils in Australia's high-rainfall tropical regions, indicating a balance that supports fertility through organic matter and nutrient cycling while minimizing salinity stress.

Justification:

This benchmark is derived from a synthesis of government guidelines, crop-specific tolerances, and soil science principles rather than direct measurement from a single, definitive best-practice monitoring study.

Sources (3)

Preview of Growing avocados | Business Queensland, accessed July 16, 2025,
Growing avocados | Business Queensland, accessed July 16, 2025, Government

Growing avocados | Business Queensland, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025,
Soil health for vegetable production in Australia - Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, accessed July 18, 2025, Journal

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land ...

View Source
Preview of Supersites get the measure of ecosystems | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Supersites get the measure of ecosystems | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025, Government

Supersites get the measure of ecosystems | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: 0.1 dS/m. Upper Detrimental Threshold: 0.6 dS/m. The optimal range is 0.1 to 0.4 dS/m. The benchmark reflects a system where fertility is sustained by high organic matter and biological nutrient cycling, minimizing environmental leakage in a high-leaching environment.