Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 dS/m

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

A proposed reference value indicating high environmental health for soils under best-practice sustainable crop production in the target biomes is an ECe of < 1.0 dS/m, and certainly not exceeding 1.5 dS/m.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) measured on Saturated Paste Extract

Benchmark Definition:

Benchmark reference value for Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) representing best available ecological condition under sustainable agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Based on the widely accepted 'non-saline' classification of ECe < 2.0 dS/m and aiming for minimal salt load in the soil profile to support sensitive crops and overall soil ecosystem health.

Sources (1)

Ausveg (2007). Soil Health for Vegetable Production in Australia Ute Guide. Journal

Ausveg (2007). Soil Health for Vegetable Production in Australia Ute Guide.

View Source

Supporting Sources (13)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Diagnosis and management of sodicity and salinity in soil and water in the Murray Irrigation region - ResearchGate

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Environmental Weed Risk of Revegetation and Forestry Plants

View Source

4.3 SALINITY 4.4 HYDROGEOLOGY - Major Projects

Contextual Support

PREDICTION OF SOIL SALINITY SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ITS MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS FOR RICE PRODUCTION IN MAGOZI IRRIGATION SC - SUAIRE

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aasf.org.au

Contextual Support Journal

aasf.org.au

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Changes in evapotranspiration and phenology as consequences of shrub removal in dry forests of central Argentina - CONICET

Contextual Support Journal

Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Associated ... - DCCEEW, accessed May 15, 2025

View Source

Preview of Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

Contextual Support

Duncan, D. H., & Dorrough, J. W. (2009). Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone. Ecological Applications, 19(2), 475-487.

View Source

Preview of Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Historical and current land use shape landscape restoration options in the Australian wheat and sheep farming zone | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

A survey of farms on the Central, Southern and Monaro Tablelands of New South Wales: management practices, farmer knowledge of native grasses, and extent of native grass areas - ResearchGate

View Source

Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Lowland native grasslands of Tasmania - DCCEEW

Contextual Support Journal

Draft Conservation Advice for the Drooping Sheoak ... - DCCEEW

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Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government

Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government

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oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com

Contextual Support Journal

oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com

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Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health

Contextual Support Government

Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health

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simlesa.cimmyt.org

Contextual Support

simlesa.cimmyt.org

View Source

Tools and systems for assessing soil health | VRO | Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

SUSTAINABLE USE AND CONSERVATION OF SOIL MICROORGANISMS AND INVERTEBRATES CONTRIBUTING TO BIOREMEDIATION AND NUTRIENT CYCLING - FAO Knowledge Repository

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This benchmark is positioned well within the 'non-saline' category and aims to minimize salt-induced stress on both cultivated crops and the broader soil ecosystem.

Related Benchmarks

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