Soil Potassium

AUS-ASC-AGR-SOK General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 150 to 350 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 150 to 350
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

this report proposes an indicative aspirational optimal range for available K (Colwell K or equivalent extractable K) in Alpine Humus Soils (the dominant soil type) of 150 – 350 mg/kg.

Metric Definition:

available K (Colwell K or equivalent extractable K)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents an aspirational optimal range for available soil potassium in Alpine Humus Soils, aiming to support robust ecological function and resilience in this biome and land use context.

Justification:

Inferred from natural alpine ecosystem K levels, ensuring levels are above deficiency for robust function and resilience, and below risk of major imbalance.

Sources (2)

Preview of openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025
openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025 Journal

openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au, accessed on May 31, 2025,

View Source
Preview of theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
theaustralianalpsnationalparks.org, accessed on May 25, 2025, Journal

Phosphorus Nutrition of Proteaceae in Severely Phosphorus-Impoverished Soils: Are There Lessons To Be Learned for Future Crops? - PubMed Central

View Source

Supporting Sources (11)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of 2
2
Direct Evidence

2

Preview of Agriculture Victoria guidelines
Agriculture Victoria guidelines
Contextual Support

Agriculture Victoria guidelines

View Source
Preview of Agriculture Victoria guidelines, Tasmania dairy pasture studies, Western Australia pasture studies
Agriculture Victoria guidelines, Tasmania dairy pasture studies, Western Australia pasture studies
Contextual Support Direct Evidence

Agriculture Victoria guidelines, Tasmania dairy pasture studies, Western Australia pasture studies

Preview of S14
S14
Direct Evidence

S14

Preview of S14, 2
S14, 2
Direct Evidence

S14, 2

Preview of S31
S31
Contextual Support

S31

Preview of S32
S32
Contextual Support

S32

Preview of S9
S9
Contextual Support

S9

Preview of S9, S31, S32
S9, S31, S32
Direct Evidence

S9, S31, S32

Preview of Tasmania dairy pasture studies
Tasmania dairy pasture studies
Contextual Support

Tasmania dairy pasture studies

View Source
Preview of Western Australia pasture studies
Western Australia pasture studies
Contextual Support

Western Australia pasture studies

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 1 Jun 2026

Notes

The confidence in this range is Low to Moderate due to the indirect nature of its derivation.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-AGR-SOK family.