Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TDG-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.2 to 1.5 dS/m
Optimal Range: 0.2 to 1.5
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

Proposed Range: An ECe of 0.2 - 1.5 dS/m is proposed as an optimal range for supporting high ecological health in the defined agricultural systems.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) measured on Saturated Paste Extract

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal functional range of Soil Electrical Conductivity (ECe) supporting ecological health in sustainable agricultural systems.

Justification:

Range balances avoidance of nutrient depletion at low EC and prevention of salinity stress at higher EC, supporting thriving plant and microbial communities.

Sources (1)

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

Preview of (PDF) Diagnosis and management of sodicity and salinity in soil and water in the Murray Irrigation region - ResearchGate
(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
Preview of 4.3 SALINITY 4.4 HYDROGEOLOGY - Major Projects
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

View Source
Preview of aasf.org.au
aasf.org.au
Contextual Support Journal

aasf.org.au

View Source
Preview of Changes in evapotranspiration and phenology as consequences of shrub removal in dry forests of central Argentina - CONICET
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
Preview of Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Learning From the Past: Palaeohydrology and Palaeoecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Lowland native grasslands of Tasmania - DCCEEW
Lowland native grasslands of Tasmania - DCCEEW
Contextual Support Journal

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

View Source
Preview of Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government
Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government
Contextual Support Journal

Natural Temperate Grassland Endangered Ecological Community Action Plan - ACT Government

View Source
Preview of oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com
oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com
Contextual Support Journal

oleander-blackbird-fhxj.squarespace.com

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - a literature review on the practices and mechanisms used to improve soil health
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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Preview of simlesa.cimmyt.org
simlesa.cimmyt.org
Contextual Support

simlesa.cimmyt.org

View Source
Preview of Tools and systems for assessing soil health | VRO | Agriculture Victoria
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 HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This range is expected to support thriving plant and microbial communities by minimizing salt stress while avoiding extreme nutrient depletion.

Related Benchmarks

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

1 dS/m Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1
2 dS/m High
Agricultural Crop Production · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1