Soil Nitrogen

AUS-AMR-AGR-SON General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 1000 to 2500 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 1000 to 2500
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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for total nitrogen is best defined by the characteristics of a high-functioning regenerative system... estimated to be between 1000-2500 mg/kg depending on texture.

Metric Definition:

Range of total soil nitrogen concentrations associated with resilient and productive cropping systems under regenerative management.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal functional range for total soil nitrogen in mg/kg supporting resilient and productive cropping systems in this biome.

Justification:

Defined by characteristics of high-functioning regenerative systems with high soil organic carbon and neutral to slightly positive nitrogen balance.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025, Journal

Regenerative agriculture — the practices involved and its position within modern agricultural systems

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
Contextual Support Government

Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

View Source
Preview of Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021
Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

View Source
Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates
Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates
Direct Evidence Government

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This range supports high productivity, biodiversity, and resilience to climatic stress.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-AGR-SON family.

1400 mg/kg Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
2200 mg/kg Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
500 mg/kg Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1