Soil Water Infiltration Rate

AUS-TGP-AGR-SWI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 30 to 70 mm/hr

Optimal Range: 30 to 70

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.

Evidence & Context

For Loamy and Sandy Loam Soils: The optimal range is proposed as 30 - 70 mm/hr.

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of Soil Water Infiltration Rate for loamy and sandy loam soils.

Benchmark Definition:

The optimal functional range of infiltration rate for loamy and sandy loam soils.

Justification:

Represents a transition from average functionality to excellent soil health in cropping paddocks.

Sources (1)

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land Services - NSW Government Government

Healthy soils and water infiltration in the paddock - Local Land Services - NSW Government

View Source

Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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 Journal

Critical review of the impacts of grazing intensity on soil organic carbon storage and other soil quality indicators in extensively managed grasslands - PubMed Central, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source

Preview of Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia - MDPI, accessed July 18, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Developments in stubble retention in cropping systems in southern Australia, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

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 August 28, 2025,

View Source

Renovating damaged pastures and soils | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria

Contextual Support Government

Renovating damaged pastures and soils | Managing wet soils | Dairy | Livestock and animals | Agriculture Victoria

View Source

Soil Health AssessmentGuide - Soils For Life

Methodology Source

Comparing infiltration rates in soils managed with conventional and alternative farming methods: A meta-analysis

View Source

Soil Health, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Health, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source

TERN – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

TERN – Australian Acoustic Observatory | A2O

View Source

Water repellent soils - CSIRO

Contextual Support Government

Water repellent soils - CSIRO, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

Managing soils within this range ensures efficient capture of rainfall, good aeration, and minimal erosion risk. Accepted by operator on 2026-03-20 06:07 UTC — superseded v1 (#777)

Related Benchmarks

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