Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-AID-AGR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 70 to 250 mm/hr

Optimal Range: 70 to 250

Direction: Higher 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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The proposed optimal range is 70 - 250 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of soil water infiltration rate balancing rapid capture and nutrient retention.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil water infiltration rate range for arid agricultural soils, balancing rapid rainfall capture with nutrient retention to support high ecological and agronomic function.

Justification:

This range synthesizes lower and upper thresholds to define a high-functioning soil infiltration rate balancing arid environment demands.

Sources (1)

Preview of Rapid Assessment of Soil Health (RASH) manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 6, 2025,

Rapid Assessment of Soil Health (RASH) manual - Department for Environment and Water, accessed July 6, 2025, Journal

Infiltration - Oz Soils 4 - UNE, accessed July 16, 2025,

Supporting Sources (38)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Monitor Soil Degradation or Triage for Soil Security? An Australian Challenge, accessed July 6, 2025,

(PDF) Monitor Soil Degradation or Triage for Soil Security? An Australian Challenge, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Monitor Soil Degradation or Triage for Soil Security? An Australian Challenge, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

Contextual Support

accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

Preview of accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

Contextual Support

accessed January 1, 1970, https.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/1/220

Preview of Combatting non-wetting soils - GRDC, accessed July 6, 2025,

Combatting non-wetting soils - GRDC, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Combatting non-wetting soils - GRDC

Preview of Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis | PLOS One, accessed July 6, 2025,

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis | PLOS One, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Meta Analysis Journal

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis | PLOS One - Research journals

Preview of Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Meta Analysis Journal

Chapter 7 Nutrient Leaching - SIPS Soil & Crop Sciences Section

Preview of Find out the Different Types of Soil in Australia - Kelly Tillage AUS, accessed July 6, 2025,

Find out the Different Types of Soil in Australia - Kelly Tillage AUS, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

1301.0 - ABS Feature Articles, 1966 - Australian Bureau of Statistics

Preview of Improving Australia's digital soil map – Digiscape Future Science Platform, accessed July 6, 2025,

Improving Australia's digital soil map – Digiscape Future Science Platform, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Improving Australia's digital soil map – Digiscape Future Science Platform, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration Management - USDA, accessed July 6, 2025,

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration Management - USDA, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration Infiltration ... - USDA

Preview of Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration, accessed July 6, 2025,

Inherent Factors Affecting Soil Infiltration, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

risks and impacts of plant industries on soil condition - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries

Preview of Management options for water-repellent soils in ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 6, 2025,

Management options for water-repellent soils in ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Management options for water-repellent soils in ... - CSIRO Publishing

Preview of Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Managing soils - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, accessed August 12, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Repairing gully erosion in Western Australia | Department of Primary ..., accessed July 17, 2025

Preview of Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025,

Measuring the infiltration rate of water into soil using the ring ..., accessed July 6, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Condition states | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government

Preview of Methodology - Yield Gap Australia, accessed July 6, 2025,

Methodology - Yield Gap Australia, accessed July 6, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

THE NUTRIENT STATUS AND CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF THE SOILS OF THE NORTH-WEST WHEAT BELT OF NEW SOUTH WALES By E. G. HALLSWORTH,&, accessed August 4, 2025,

Preview of National blueprint to standardise soil health across Australian ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

National blueprint to standardise soil health across Australian ..., accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

National blueprint to standardise soil health across Australian agriculture | GroundCover, accessed July 8, 2025

Preview of Nutrient Loss and Water Quality - Oklahoma State University Extension, accessed July 6, 2025,

Nutrient Loss and Water Quality - Oklahoma State University Extension, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Nutrient Loss and Water Quality - Oklahoma State University Extension, accessed July 16, 2025,

Preview of PO 11.1 Soil Infiltration - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 6, 2025,

PO 11.1 Soil Infiltration - Northeast Region Certified Crop Adviser (NRCCA) Study Resources, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service

Preview of Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,

Rangeland Soil Quality: Infiltration - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech

Preview of Reduction in nutrient leaching from sandy soils by Si-rich materials: Laboratory, greenhouse and filed studies - ResearchGate, accessed July 6, 2025,

Reduction in nutrient leaching from sandy soils by Si-rich materials: Laboratory, greenhouse and filed studies - ResearchGate, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support

Reduction in nutrient leaching from sandy soils by Si-rich materials: Laboratory, greenhouse and filed studies - ResearchGate, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

Preview of Regenerative Agriculture: Good for Soil Health, but Limited Potential to Mitigate Climate Change - World Resources Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Regenerative Agriculture: Good for Soil Health, but Limited Potential to Mitigate Climate Change - World Resources Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Regenerative Agriculture: Good for Soil Health, but Limited Potential to Mitigate Climate Change - World Resources Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Report card on sustainable natural resource use in agriculture, accessed July 6, 2025,

Report card on sustainable natural resource use in agriculture, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support

Managing soils | Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development - dpird

Preview of SECURING AUSTRALIA'S SOIL For profitable industries and healthy landscapes - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,

SECURING AUSTRALIA'S SOIL For profitable industries and healthy landscapes - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Wind erosion, accessed July 12, 2025,

Preview of Seeding next to previous year's crop row (near-row sowing) can increase grain yields on water repellent soils - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 6, 2025,

Seeding next to previous year's crop row (near-row sowing) can increase grain yields on water repellent soils - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Soil Research, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Find out the Different Types of Soil in Australia - Kelly Tillage AUS

Preview of Soil and Water Relationships - Noble Research Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil and Water Relationships - Noble Research Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil and Water Relationships - Noble Research Institute, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 6, 2025,

SOIL CARBON EDITION - North Central Catchment Management Authority, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

0524-2837-MTDC; Hand-Held Electronic Cone Penetrometers for Measuring Soil Strength page02 - Forest Service, accessed July 28, 2025

Preview of Soil Considerations for Water Management | Rivulis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil Considerations for Water Management | Rivulis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Considerations for Water Management | Rivulis, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects, and Implications - MDPI

Preview of Soil constraints in an arid environment—challenges, prospects, and implications - UQ eSpace, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil constraints in an arid environment—challenges, prospects, and implications - UQ eSpace, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Soil constraints in an arid environment—challenges, prospects, and implications - UQ eSpace, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil Infiltration | Agronomic Crops Network - The Ohio State University, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Farming and national environment law, accessed August 11, 2025

Preview of Soil inverse modelling - CSIRO, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil inverse modelling - CSIRO, accessed July 6, 2025,

Methodology Source Government

Soil inverse modelling - CSIRO, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 6, 2025,

Soil Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Assessing the influence of shrubs and their interspaces on enhancing infiltration in an arid Australian shrubland. - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal

Preview of The Fundamental Principles of Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health, accessed July 6, 2025,

The Fundamental Principles of Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Fundamental Principles of Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health, accessed July 6, 2025,

Preview of The impact, identification and management of dispersive soils in rainfed cropping systems - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed July 6, 2025,

The impact, identification and management of dispersive soils in rainfed cropping systems - UQ eSpace - The University of Queensland, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Cover cropping impacts on soil water and carbon in dryland ...

Preview of The important role of soil texture on water - Crops and Soils, accessed July 6, 2025,

The important role of soil texture on water - Crops and Soils, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Infiltration.pdf - Natural Resources Conservation Service, accessed July 7, 2025

Preview of The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,

The relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

View of Efficacy of the Ecosystem Services Approach in Transitioning to Regenerative Agriculture in Australia | Reinvention, accessed July 27, 2025,

Preview of Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech, accessed July 6, 2025,

Understanding Soil Infiltration - Ideal Geotech, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

National Soil Strategy

Preview of Understanding Water Movement Throughout Different Soil Profiles ..., accessed July 6, 2025,

Understanding Water Movement Throughout Different Soil Profiles ..., accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed July 16, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Interior Dunefields & Sandy Deserts
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 31 May 2026

Notes

The optimal range balances rapid rainfall capture with retention of water and nutrients in the root zone, representing the best available condition for agricultural production in Australia's arid interior. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AID-AGR-SWI family.