Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TSW-AGR-SSC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 kPa
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MinimumOnly

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 14 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 13 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The most frequently cited and scientifically supported value for the onset of root growth restriction is 1.5 MPa (1500 kPa).

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance threshold below which root growth is generally unrestricted.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the lower critical threshold of soil strength below which root growth is generally unrestricted in agricultural crop production within Australia's Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands.

Justification:

Widely cited and supported by scientific literature as the point where root growth begins to be restricted.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central
Soil Carbon Saturation: What Do We Really Know? - PMC - PubMed Central

Root Penetration Is Associated with Root Diameter and Root Growth ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (24)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
(PDF) Improving soil physical fertility and crop yield on a clay soil in ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Health Assessment Part IV: Soil Penetration Resistance and ..., accessed August 2, 2025

View Source
Preview of A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,
A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support

A no-till system with compaction is NOT a no-till system - WANTFA, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Chapter 9 AUSTRALIAN GRASSLANDS - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

How Past Rainfall Shapes Australia's Dryland Ecosystems - Western Sydney University

View Source
Preview of Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed August 4, 2025,
Compaction | VRO - Victorian Resources Online, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support

3- Build and maintain soil nutrients to improve soil fertility and health in all pasture zones

View Source
Preview of Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support

Eastern Australian temperate forests - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Effect of combined soil water and external load on soil compaction - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,
Effect of combined soil water and external load on soil compaction - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

What is Regenerative Agriculture? - Soils For Life, accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover, accessed August 28, 2025
Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover, accessed August 28, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Long-term no-till trial delivers data legacy | GroundCover - GRDC Ground Cover

View Source
Preview of Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing heavy clay soils of the Bland - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,
No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

No-Till Farming Systems in Australia - UQ eSpace, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 6 Tussock grasslands, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Understanding soil pH, accessed August 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Organic and clay amendments to improve the productivity of sandy soils - Research findings fact sheet, accessed July 6, 2025,
Organic and clay amendments to improve the productivity of sandy soils - Research findings fact sheet, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Quantifying the effect of soil organic carbon on wheat yield: a simulation study - Agronomy Australia Proceedings, accessed July 6, 2025

View Source
Preview of Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Physical constraints in sandy soils: identifying and understanding cementing behaviour - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 4, 2025,
Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Rangeland Soil Quality Compaction, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Protect your soil from compaction - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil Compaction in Annual Crop Production: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions - WSU Research Exchange

View Source
Preview of SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management ..., accessed July 7, 2025,
SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management ..., accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australian agriculture - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Soil compaction - Queensland Government publications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Deep roots and soil structure - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 30, 2025,
Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Soil compaction | UMN Extension, accessed July 22, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems - BioOne Complete, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil compaction and controlled traffic considerations in Australian cotton-farming systems - BioOne Complete, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Compendium of Smart Sugar Practices - Queensland Government

View Source
Preview of Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health - AUSVEG, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,
Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support

Soil strength as measured by a cone penetrometer for A a deep loamy... - ResearchGate, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Soil strength influences wheat root interactions with soil macropores - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,
Soil strength influences wheat root interactions with soil macropores - PMC, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil compaction and controlled traffic ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years
Strategic tillage of a long-term, no-till soil has little impact on soil characteristics or crop growth over five years
Contextual Support Journal

What is Regenerative Agriculture? - Soils For Life, accessed August 13, 2025

View Source
Preview of The-Potential-Use-for-Groundwater-Use-by-Vegetation-in-the-Aust.-Arid-Zone.pdf - Northern Territory Government
The-Potential-Use-for-Groundwater-Use-by-Vegetation-in-the-Aust.-Arid-Zone.pdf - Northern Territory Government
Contextual Support Journal

Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Tyre configuration and axle load of front-wheel assist and four-wheel drive tractors effects on soil compaction and rolling resistance under no-tillage - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Tyre configuration and axle load of front-wheel assist and four-wheel drive tractors effects on soil compaction and rolling resistance under no-tillage - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 7, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Subsurface Compaction - NSW | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 7, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Maintaining soil strength below 1500 kPa is essential for ensuring physical impedance is not limiting crop production. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

1100 kPa Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
Point Active v1
2500 kPa High
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1