Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSW-AGR-SEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2 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

Upper Detrimental Threshold > 2.0 dS/m marks the transition to a saline state with negative impacts on sensitive crops and native species.

Metric Definition:

Soil Electrical Conductivity (EC) measured as ECe (saturated paste extract)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the maximum soil electrical conductivity threshold indicating the onset of salinity stress harmful to crops and native species.

Justification:

At this level, sensitive species are negatively affected and microbial processes inhibited.

Sources (2)

Salinity - Murray�darling Basin Authority Journal

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Preview of Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025,

Which material can be used to reduce electrical conductivity of soil? And what are the disadvantages when electrical conductivity of soil increases ? | ResearchGate, accessed July 9, 2025, GreyLiterature

UNDERSTANDING YOUR STEP BY STEP Cath Botta - Goulburn ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source

Soil - RegenWA

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil - RegenWA

View Source

Soil electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amount ... - USDA

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture - NSW Department of Primary Industries

View Source

Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Soil Health Assessment - Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA

View Source

Stream-salinity-status-and-trends-in-south-west-WA.pdf - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 10, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Stream-salinity-status-and-trends-in-south-west-WA.pdf - Government of Western Australia, accessed July 10, 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 2
Effective From 7 Jun 2026

Notes

Indicates compromised water balance and salt accumulation in root zone. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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