Soil Structure & Compaction
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.
Evidence & Context
Root growth is likely to be restricted by soil strengths greater than 1 MPa, and seedling emergence may be unsuccessful in soils between 1 and 2 MPa at field capacity, as resistance is likely to exceed 3 MPa before wilting point.
Soil penetration resistance (MPa) measured at 20% gravimetric water content (field capacity) using a needle penetrometer on reconstructed soil cores.
Degradation threshold for soil strength above which root growth restriction begins for Eucalyptus albens in temperate dry woodlands.
This study directly tests the physiological response of the primary overstorey canopy species (Eucalyptus albens) of southeastern Australian dry temperate grassy woodlands to soil compaction, identifying the point where root development begins to decline.
Sources (1)
The effect of soil compaction on germination and early growth of Eucalyptus albens and an exotic annual grass
View SourceSupporting Sources (4)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Changes to soil physical properties after grazing exclusion
View SourceCompacted Soil as a Permeable Impediment
View SourceDetecting soil compaction
View SourceSoil penetration resistance and tree root development
View Source