Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TDG-LVG-SOP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 10 to 13 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 10 to 13

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

Reference Value: An Olsen P range of 10 to 13 mg/kg (0-10 cm soil depth) is identified as representative of the "best available condition" for these specific pasture types.

Metric Definition:

Available soil phosphorus measured as Olsen P in the 0-10 cm soil depth.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the range of available soil phosphorus (Olsen P) in the 0-10 cm soil depth that supports productive and stable fertility-tolerant native grass communities under sustainable grazing in temperate southeastern Australia.

Justification:

This range is derived from research indicating that such levels support the productivity, stability, and persistence of key fertility-tolerant native perennial grasses under appropriate grazing management.

Sources (1)

Preview of Phosphorus responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application: a review. Crop & Pasture Science, 71(9), 797-815. (Lodge, G. M., Murphy, S. R., & Harden, S., 2020)

Phosphorus responses of perennial native pasture species endemic to south-eastern Australia to P application: a review. Crop & Pasture Science, 71(9), 797-815. (Lodge, G. M., Murphy, S. R., & Harden, S., 2020) Journal

Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Over-fertilization diminishes the biodiversity of global grasslands - Mongabay

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Over-fertilization diminishes the biodiversity of global grasslands - Mongabay

View Source

Phosphorus requirements of Australian native plants - ResearchGate, accessed August 4, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

The Big Phosphorus Issue - Australian Native Plants — The Gardeners Lodge, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Preview of The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

The phosphorus and nitrogen requirements of temperate pasture species and their influence on grassland botanical composition - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING

View Source

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures?

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This benchmark represents Olsen P levels supporting productive and stable fertility-tolerant native grass communities (e.g., Microlaena stipoides, Rytidosperma spp.) under best-practice sustainable grazing in temperate SE Australia. It balances ecological integrity with sustainable production.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TDG-LVG-SOP family.