Soil Potassium

AUS-AIF-CON-SOK General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 50 to 100 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 50 to 100
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 sandy and loamy soil inclusions (Tenosols, Kandosols) within the Arid Inland Floodplains biome under conservation management, a benchmark range of 50 - 100 mg/kg (Colwell K) is proposed.

Metric Definition:

Available soil potassium concentration measured as Colwell K

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the available soil potassium concentration for sandier soils (Tenosols, Kandosols) in arid inland floodplains under conservation management, reflecting lower inherent fertility and potassium-holding capacity.

Justification:

Based on agronomic deficiency thresholds and ecological resilience considerations for less fertile soils.

Sources (1)

Preview of Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia
Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia

Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 24 Mar 2026

Notes

No evidence for an upper detrimental threshold in these natural systems. Upper boundary reflects the lower inherent fertility and K-holding capacity of these soils.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-CON-SOK family.

— mg/kg Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1