Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.15 to 0.5 dS/m

Optimal Range: 0.15 to 0.5

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: OptimalRange

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

Optimal Range 0.15 - 0.50 All soil types Represents a state of high environmental health. Low enough to prevent osmotic stress and allow for healthy microbial function. High enough to indicate the presence of sufficient soluble plant nutrients. Aligns with "Ideal" and "Nil Salinity" classifications.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This range represents a state of high environmental health, balancing fertility and low salinity stress in agricultural soils.

Justification:

This range successfully balances the dual roles of soil EC. The lower bound of 0.15 dS/m ensures a baseline level of fertility, avoiding the 'too low' problem. The upper bound of 0.50 dS/m is the aspirational 'Ideal' value from the Goulburn Broken CMA guide, a level that is well below the point where even sensitive plants experience osmotic stress.

Sources (1)

Preview of Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025,

Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025, GreyLiterature

UNDERSTANDING YOUR STEP BY STEP Cath Botta - Goulburn ...

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

NCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA

Contextual Support Journal

Effect of Soil Water on Apparent Soil Electrical Conductivity and Texture Relationships in a Dryland Field - USDA ARS, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source

Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA

View Source

Stream-salinity-status-and-trends-in-south-west-WA.pdf - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Salinity in Australia - Wikipedia

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 21 Mar 2026

Notes

This range is synonymous with high ecological function. It supports a diverse and active soil microbiome, allows for unimpeded plant water uptake, indicates adequate nutrient availability, and signifies that the hydrological processes driving dryland salinity are being effectively managed.

Related Benchmarks

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