Soil Potassium
Benchmark Value
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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
Therefore, a benchmark of 120 mg/kg (Colwell K) is proposed.
Colwell K (mg/kg) - a measure of plant-available soil potassium using sodium bicarbonate extractant.
A benchmark representing the best available condition for soil potassium in loamy soils of the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome under best-practice grazing management.
This benchmark is based on synthesis of agronomic guidelines for temperate pastures and soil science principles adapted to arid ecosystems, reflecting a level sufficient to support drought resilience and pasture persistence.
Sources (1)
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View SourceSupporting Sources (31)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
(PDF) Long-term rundown of plant-available potassium in Western Australia requires a re-evaluation of potassium management for grain production: a review - ResearchGate, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceThe Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS) – operating a regional scale monitoring system - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceARID LANDS OF AUSTRALIA - Open Research Repository, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceAusPlots surveys begin in the rangelands - TERN Australia, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceBeringer, J., et al. 2022. Carbon and water fluxes over a temperate Eucalyptus forest and a tropical wet/dry savanna in Australia. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 129(3):151-173.
View SourceausplotsR: quickstart guide to basic analysis of TERN AusPlots vegetation data, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceCation exchange capacity - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePotassium's pivotal role - Agronomic Insights, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceDo regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? - Great Barrier Reef Foundation, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePotassium fertility impacts hay and pasture performance during drought - Field Crops, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceThe Critical Role of Potassium in Plant Stress Response - PMC, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceLocation of AusPlots within Australia | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceLong-term rundown of plant-available potassium in Western Australia requires a re-evaluation of potassium management for grain production: a review - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Crop and Pasture Science, accessed July 24, 2025
View Source4.3 CLIMATE AND SOIL MOISTURE The West Macdonnell Ranges have a semi arid climate with low humidity and low but erratic annual r - AWS, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceRangelands Living Skin | .Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePlant nutrients in the soil - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceSoil fertility in grazing systems: Manage potassium to manage nitrogen - Crops and Soils, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceSoil condition | NSW State of the Environment, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePotassium for crop production | UMN Extension, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceV*. Clearing and burning brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) in Queensland, Australia, temporarily increases surface soil fertility prior to nutrient decline under cropping or grazing - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceWhat are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceEffect of water quality on the leaching of potassium from sandy soil - ResearchGate, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePotassium: A Vital Regulator of Plant Responses and Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses - MDPI, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourcePotassium chloride: impacts on soil microbial activity and nitrogen mineralization - SciELO, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceThe relationships between land management practices and soil condition and the quality of ecosystem services delivered from agri - DAFF, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceSoil health stocktake Queensland - GRDC, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceLime squeezes new life into perennial pastures | .Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 28, 2025,
View Sourcesoils - of the australian alps, accessed July 28, 2025,
View Source1301.0 - ABS Feature Articles, 1966 - Australian Bureau of Statistics, accessed July 28, 2025,
View SourceScanlan, C. A., et al. (2013). Soil Quality: 10 Plant Nutrition. CCMA Soil Health Knowledge Base.
View SourcePotassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 28, 2025,
View Source