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
A hard floor for ecosystem function can be established using the agronomic deficiency data as a reference. If available potassium levels were to fall into the range of <40 mg/kg, this would represent a severely degraded state.
Available soil potassium measured by the Colwell-K method representing the plant-available fraction of potassium in soil.
A critical lower threshold below which soil potassium levels indicate severe ecosystem degradation.
Based on agronomic deficiency data indicating that potassium levels below 40 mg/kg represent a severely degraded state impacting ecosystem function.
Sources (1)
The Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS) – operating a regional scale monitoring system - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceSupporting Sources (22)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
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View SourceCalcareous Soils Initiative - GRDC, accessed July 24, 2025
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(PDF) Monitoring changes in pastoral rangelands – the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS) - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceFarm-scale nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur balances and use efficiencies on Australian dairy farms - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 24, 2025
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Report 119: Cenozoic evolution of the Nullarbor Plain paleokarst, southern Australia - NET, accessed July 24, 2025
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Long-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
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(PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and ..., accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceNullarbor Plain - Wikipedia, accessed July 24, 2025
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Nutrient Composition of Atriplex Leaves Grown in Saudi Arabia - Journals, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourcePotassium in Soils - International Potash Institute, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceSoil Testing and Interpretation for Vegetable Crops - AUSVEG, accessed July 24, 2025
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The dynamics of potassium in some Australian soils - Adelaide Research & Scholarship, accessed July 24, 2025
View Source
The Dynamics of Potassium in some Australian soils - CORE, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceThe Dynamics of Potassium in some Australian soils - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceThe Ecograze Project - developing guidelines to better manage grazing country - FutureBeef, accessed July 24, 2025
View Source
Nullarbor plain | Article for mature travellers - Odyssey Traveller, accessed July 24, 2025
View SourceKarst features and remnant dune systems on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, accessed July 24, 2025
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