Soil Potassium

AUS-TSR-AGR-SOK General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

78 mg/kg
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The lower critical threshold is approximately 78 mg/kg; below this level, potassium is a significant limiting factor for crop health and yield.

Metric Definition:

Exchangeable soil potassium concentration in mg/kg representing the lower critical threshold below which crop productivity is compromised.

Benchmark Definition:

The lower critical threshold represents the soil potassium level below which essential plant physiological functions, crop productivity, and overall ecosystem resilience are significantly compromised.

Justification:

Below this threshold, plants are more susceptible to wilting, growth is stunted, and yields are markedly reduced, indicating a need for corrective action.

Sources (2)

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Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production - Sugar Research Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production - Sugar Research Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(PDF) Potassium Nutrition of Fruit Crops : Comparative Evaluation of Potassic Fertilizers, accessed July 16, 2025,
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An integrated approach to crop nutrition in macadamias - Yara Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Cation Exchange Capacity - Local Land Services, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Citrus nutrition - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Development of key soil health indicators for the Australian banana ..., accessed July 16, 2025,
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Fertilising avocados | Business Queensland, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Macadamia grower's guide 2022 - nutrition and soil health – part 1: the foundations - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Improved fruit quality and robustness in avocado supply chains (mineral nutrition) - Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Improved fruit quality and robustness in avocado supply chains (mineral nutrition) - Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Lowland Rainforest of Subtropical Australia ecological community - listing advice, accessed July 20, 2025,
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Nutrition: Potassium (K) - Australian Mango Industry Association, accessed July 16, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

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Nutritional summary for bananas - Yara Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Potassium and Plant Health - International Potash Institute, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support

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Soil Health for Bananas | Terrain NRM, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Preview of Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production - Sugar Research Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production - Sugar Research Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Soil Specific Management Guidelines for Sugarcane Production - Sugar Research Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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SOIL-SPECIFIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES - Sugar ..., accessed July 16, 2025,
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Understanding the units on the soil test report - Cropaia, accessed July 16, 2025,
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Understanding the units on the soil test report - Cropaia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 14 Mar 2026

Notes

Based on data from sugarcane best-management-practice guidelines.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-AGR-SOK family.

— mg/kg High
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
156 mg/kg Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v1