Soil Structure & Compaction
Benchmark Value
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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
This range is consistent with measurements from a healthy, minimally disturbed Vertosol reference site and aligns with the lower boundary of the root-restriction threshold identified across multiple studies.
Cone Penetrometer Resistance (kPa), measured when the soil profile is uniformly wet (at or near Field Capacity).
This benchmark represents the optimal soil strength range in Australia's arid inland floodplains where soil compaction does not restrict root growth and supports healthy ecosystem functions.
Supported by proxy data from minimally disturbed Vertosol reference sites and aligns with ecological thresholds for root growth restriction.
Sources (1)
Australian Journal of Soil Research - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 28, 2025
View SourceSupporting Sources (2)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Soil condition | NSW State of the Environment
View SourceCompaction properties of vertisols and their potential effect on sunflower - UQ eSpace
View Source