Soil Phosphorus

AUS-TDG-AGR-SOP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 6 to 12 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 6 to 12

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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Drawing from the rationale used for the benchmark value and considering the P requirements of native grasses, an Optimal Range of 6–12 mg/kg Olsen P (0-10 cm) is proposed.

Metric Definition:

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

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal soil phosphorus range that supports both sustainable crop production and native biodiversity in temperate dry woodlands and native grasslands.

Justification:

Range balances adequate P nutrition for crops with minimizing environmental P load and supporting native biodiversity.

Sources (2)

Preview of Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,

Phosphorus fertiliser management for pastures based on native grasses in south-eastern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025, GreyLiterature

Phosphorus nutrition of phosphorus-sensitive Australian native ...

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Why phosphorus is important - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 4, 2025 Government

Why phosphorus is important - NSW Department of Primary Industries

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Phosphorus accumulation and other changes in soil ...

Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Phosphorus accumulation and other changes in soil ...

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Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security

Contextual Support Journal

Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security

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Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security - CSIRO, accessed August 11, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Retranslocation of Leaves and Stemwood in a Mature Eucalyptus Forest Exposed to 5 Years of Elevated CO2 - Frontiers

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The phosphorus saturation degree as a universal agronomic and environmental soil P test

Contextual Support Journal

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

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www.agric.wa.gov.au

Contextual Support

Achievements and future development in soil and nutritional research

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Temperate Dry Woodlands & Native Grasslands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 8 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents a target window for P sufficiency while minimizing environmental P load and supporting soil conditions aligned with native ecosystem P dynamics.

Related Benchmarks

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