Soil Nitrogen — Benchmark Detail

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 1000 to 2500 mg/kg

Optimal Range: 1000 to 2500

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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for total nitrogen is best defined by the characteristics of a high-functioning regenerative system... estimated to be between 1000-2500 mg/kg depending on texture.

Metric Definition:

Total soil nitrogen (TN) concentration in topsoil (0-30 cm) layer.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal functional range of total soil nitrogen concentration supporting resilient and productive cropping systems in the Australian Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome under agricultural crop production.

Justification:

Defined by characteristics of high-functioning regenerative systems with neutral to slightly positive nitrogen balance.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

Nitrogen supply and demand in Australian agriculture - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025, Journal

Regenerative agriculture — the practices involved and its position within modern agricultural systems

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

Contextual Support Government

Critical concentrations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur soil tests for break crops - Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

View Source

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil | Australia state of the environment 2021

View Source

Preview of Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates

Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia; Soil nitrogen availability in the cereal zone of South Australia. I. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrogen mineralisation rates

Direct Evidence Government

Soil and Landscape Grid National Soil Attribute Maps - Total Nitrogen (3" resolution) - Release 2

View Source

Soil nitrogen—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for winter cereal crops grown in Australia - ResearchGate

Contextual Support Journal

Soil nitrogen—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for winter cereal crops grown in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Range is dynamic and texture-dependent, reflecting high soil organic carbon and efficient nutrient cycling. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-AGR-SON family.