Soil Structure & Compaction

AUS-TMS-AGR-SSC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 1500 kPa
Optimal Range: 0 to 1500
Direction: Lower 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 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

While a precise optimal PR range is not clearly defined for this specific context, conditions fostering PR values consistently below 1500 kPa, and ideally approaching or below 1000 kPa, achieved through best practices like no-till and continuous soil cover, would likely represent near-optimal conditions for soil health and crop productivity.

Metric Definition:

Penetrometer resistance (PR) range indicative of near-optimal soil structure and compaction

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the optimal range of penetrometer resistance for sustainable soil health in tropical monsoonal savanna agricultural systems, indicating conditions favorable for root growth and water infiltration.

Justification:

Inferred from studies linking lower PR values with better soil structure and benefits of best management practices such as no-till and cover cropping.

Sources (3)

Preview of (PDF) Changes in surface soil properties of a no-tilled tropical Alfisol ...
(PDF) Changes in surface soil properties of a no-tilled tropical Alfisol ...

(PDF) Changes in surface soil properties of a no-tilled tropical Alfisol ...

View Source
Preview of research.usq.edu.au
research.usq.edu.au

Water Acquisition by Roots From the Subsoil: Impact of Physical Constraints on the Dynamics of Water Capture | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of www.frontiersin.org, accessed May 16, 2025,
www.frontiersin.org, accessed May 16, 2025, Journal

www.frontiersin.org

View Source

Supporting Sources (10)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Final report Scoping Study of Soil Management in Livestock Grazing Systems
(PDF) Final report Scoping Study of Soil Management in Livestock Grazing Systems
Contextual Support Journal

Final report - MLA

View Source
Preview of Agricultural soils mitigate CO2 emissions - cifor-icraf
Agricultural soils mitigate CO2 emissions - cifor-icraf
Contextual Support

Agricultural soils mitigate CO2 emissions - cifor-icraf

View Source
Preview of Bibliographies: 'Soil physical properties' - Grafiati
Bibliographies: 'Soil physical properties' - Grafiati
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Bibliographies: 'Soil physical properties' - Grafiati

View Source
Preview of Carbon accounting, land management, science and policy uncertainty in Australian savanna landscapes: introduction and overview - ResearchGate
Carbon accounting, land management, science and policy uncertainty in Australian savanna landscapes: introduction and overview - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Carbon accounting, land management, science and policy uncertainty in Australian savanna landscapes: introduction and overview - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Decomposition of crop residues under conventional and zero tillage - ResearchGate
Decomposition of crop residues under conventional and zero tillage - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Decomposition of crop residues under conventional and zero tillage - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Management of Soil Problems PDF - Scribd
Management of Soil Problems PDF - Scribd
Contextual Support

Management of Soil Problems PDF - Scribd

View Source
Preview of SOILWATER CONSULTANTS - Deep Yellow, accessed July 27, 2025,
SOILWATER CONSULTANTS - Deep Yellow, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

SECURING AUSTRALIA'S SOIL For profitable industries and healthy landscapes - DAFF

View Source
Preview of Sustainable land management for the Oxisols of the Latin American savannas - CGSpace
Sustainable land management for the Oxisols of the Latin American savannas - CGSpace
Contextual Support

Sustainable land management for the Oxisols of the Latin American savannas - CGSpace

View Source
Preview of Time-dependent changes in distribution patterns of soil bulk density ...
Time-dependent changes in distribution patterns of soil bulk density ...
Contextual Support

A stocktake of Australia's current investment in soils research, development and extension - DAFF

View Source
Preview of Use of deep-rooted tropical pastures to build-up an arable layer through improved soil properties of an Oxisol in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales) of Colombia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Use of deep-rooted tropical pastures to build-up an arable layer through improved soil properties of an Oxisol in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales) of Colombia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Use of deep-rooted tropical pastures to build-up an arable layer through improved soil properties of an Oxisol in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales) of Colombia | Request PDF - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No precise numerical optimal range is defined, but lower PR values are generally better for root and water dynamics, provided soil stability is maintained.

Related Benchmarks

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

1500 kPa Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
3000 kPa Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1