Soil Potassium

AUS-AIF-FOR-SOK General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 100 to 150 mg/kg
Optimal Range: 100 to 150
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

An optimal range of 100 – 150 mg/kg is therefore proposed for sandy soils within this biome.

Metric Definition:

Available soil potassium concentration in sandy soils measured as exchangeable potassium or equivalent method.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of available potassium in sandy soils that supports sustainable forestry in the arid inland floodplains biome.

Justification:

Derived from Western Australian DPI sufficiency levels for pasture legumes (>100 mg/kg).

Sources (1)

Preview of Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 10, 2025
Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 10, 2025 Journal

Long-term rundown of plant-available potassium in Western Australia requires a re-evaluation of potassium management for grain production: a review - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 17, 2025

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Supporting Sources (5)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of NSW Department of Primary Industries
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

NSW Department of Primary Industries guidelines for pasture legumes on clay loam soils

View Source
Preview of Potassium | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 11, 2025,
Potassium | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed August 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Potassium | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au

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Preview of Potassium for crop production | UMN Extension
Potassium for crop production | UMN Extension
Contextual Support Government

Potassium for crop production | UMN Extension

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Preview of Potassium limitation of forest productivity – Part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands - BG
Potassium limitation of forest productivity – Part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands - BG
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Potassium limitation of forest productivity – Part 1: A mechanistic model simulating the effects of potassium availability on canopy carbon and water fluxes in tropical eucalypt stands - BG

View Source
Preview of Understanding Your Soil Test (Goulburn Broken CMA, 2016)
Understanding Your Soil Test (Goulburn Broken CMA, 2016)
Direct Evidence Journal

Understanding Your Soil Test (Goulburn Broken CMA, 2016)

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Vegetation Forest
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

This range ensures sufficiency for mixed-species native ecosystems on sandy soils.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AIF-FOR-SOK family.

500 mg/kg Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Forest
Point Active v1
— mg/kg Low
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Forest
OptimalRange Active v1
120 mg/kg Moderate
Production Forestry · Conservation Target · Forest
MinimumOnly Active v1