This page provides a general overview of the soil related issues facing New South Wales focussing on sites within the > 550 mm/yr rainfall band.

This “traffic light” system is a quick and easy way of identifying possible soil constraints to production and formulating management strategies to combat these issues.

For each soil quality indicator, a series of critical values have been applied relating to impacts on production and/or soil quality in general. An indication of red implies a high risk of production impacts and the need to investigate management options urgently. An amber colour implies a moderate risk of production impacts and should be investigated further, while green implies low risk, however regular monitoring should continue.

In grouping these traffic lights together, we have provided means of identifying relevant soil production constraints to local growers. Please refer to our factsheet section for management options.

Biological Indicators
Total Organic Carbon
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable
Carbon Stock
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Microbial Biomass Carbon
 
Soil Nitrogen Supply
 
Chemical Indicators
pH (CaCl2)
 
Water Repellency
 
Electrical Conductivity (ECe)
 
Nitrogen Stock
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Nitrogen
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable
pH (Water)
 
Phosphorus
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable
Cation Exchange Capacity
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Physical Indicators
Traffic Light not Applicable
Bulk Density
 
Gravel Content
 
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable
Traffic Light not Applicable