Soil Potassium

AUS-TSW-LVG-SOK General High confidence

Benchmark Value

250 mg/kg
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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

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

Evidence & Context

Excess Soil K: Soil test levels greater than 250 mg/kg (Colwell K) are explicitly cited as high, with no additional pasture production benefit gained from further fertiliser application.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold for soil potassium above which the ecosystem is harmed due to animal health risks.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper detrimental threshold for soil potassium in grazing systems, above which animal health risks increase and no further pasture production benefits occur.

Justification:

Based on the point of zero productive return and direct links to animal health crises.

Sources (1)

Preview of Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 10, 2025
Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 10, 2025 GreyLiterature

A review of plantations as a water intercepting land use in South Australia, accessed August 9, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Fertilisers and the environment - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed May 11, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
(PDF) Soil potassium—crop response calibration relationships and criteria for field crops grown in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS) – operating a regional scale monitoring system - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 10, 2025
Crop and Pasture Science - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support 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,

View Source
Preview of Dairy effluent — disease and animal health - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 10, 2025
Dairy effluent — disease and animal health - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Dairy effluent — disease and animal health - Agriculture Victoria, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from a space-for-time study in the Great Barrier Reef catchments, Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Ludwig, J.A., Bastin, G.N., Chewings, V.H., Eager, R.W., and Liedloff, A.C. (2005). Clearing savannas for use as rangelands in Queensland: Altered landscapes and water-erosion processes. Rangeland Journal, 27(2), 135-149.

View Source
Preview of Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from, accessed August 5, 2025,
Do regenerative grazing management practices improve vegetation and soil health in grazed rangelands? Preliminary insights from, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

The effect of climate change on pastoralism in the Australian arid and semi-arid rangelands - Nuffield Farming Scholarships, accessed July 29, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Environmental Protection Works Guideline on Rural Regulated Land Sustainable Grazing Allowable Activity, accessed July 10, 2025
Environmental Protection Works Guideline on Rural Regulated Land Sustainable Grazing Allowable Activity, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Regulatory Framework

Environmental Protection Works Guideline on Rural Regulated Land Sustainable Grazing Allowable Activity, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Fertilising Pastures - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 10, 2025
Fertilising Pastures - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Fertilising Pastures - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grass Tetany - Main Street Veterinary Clinic, accessed July 10, 2025
Grass Tetany - Main Street Veterinary Clinic, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Grass Tetany - Main Street Veterinary Clinic, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grass Tetany in Cattle - Local Land Services, accessed July 10, 2025
Grass Tetany in Cattle - Local Land Services, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Grass Tetany in Cattle - Local Land Services, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Boom and bust for biodiversity in arid Australia

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 12, 2025,

View Source
Preview of How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,
How Biodiversity-Friendly Is Regenerative Grazing? - Frontiers, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing Grazing to Restore Soil Health, Ecosystem ... - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Hypocalcaemia / Milk fever | Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025
Hypocalcaemia / Milk fever | Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Hypocalcaemia / Milk fever | Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Livestock Factsheet - Grass Tetany - Victorian Farmers Federation, accessed July 10, 2025
Livestock Factsheet - Grass Tetany - Victorian Farmers Federation, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Livestock Factsheet - Grass Tetany - Victorian Farmers Federation, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Long-term rundown of plant-available potassium in Western Australia requires a re-evaluation of potassium management for grain production: a review - BioOne Complete, accessed July 10, 2025
Long-term rundown of plant-available potassium in Western Australia requires a re-evaluation of potassium management for grain production: a review - BioOne Complete, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support 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 | Crop and Pasture Science, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of 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 10, 2025
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 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Potassium Control of Plant Functions: Ecological and Agricultural Implications - PMC

View Source
Preview of Managing cattle grazing intensity: effects on soil organic matter and soil nitrogen, accessed August 5, 2025,
Managing cattle grazing intensity: effects on soil organic matter and soil nitrogen, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Managing cattle grazing intensity: effects on soil organic matter and soil nitrogen

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 – Tussock grasslands, accessed August 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of POTASSIUM - Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, accessed July 10, 2025
POTASSIUM - Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

POTASSIUM - Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Potassium | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 10, 2025
Potassium | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Potassium - Tas | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed May 11, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 18, 2025,
Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Potassium for high rainfall pastures - DPIRD's Digital library

View Source
Preview of Potassium In Soil Explained - Soil Quality Knowledge Base, accessed August 11, 2025,
Potassium In Soil Explained - Soil Quality Knowledge Base, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What are the optimum nutrient targets for pastures? - Soil Health Knowledgebase, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Potassium: planning and pitfalls | Dairy News Australia, accessed July 10, 2025
Potassium: planning and pitfalls | Dairy News Australia, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Potassium: planning and pitfalls | Dairy News Australia, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Grazing Affects Biodiversity - Frontiers, accessed July 10, 2025,
Regenerative Grazing Affects Biodiversity - Frontiers, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Impact of Grazing on Diversity of Semi-Arid Rangelands in Crete Island in the Context of Climatic Change - PubMed Central, accessed July 11, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Restoration of degraded grazing country in the semi-arid areas of ..., accessed July 10, 2025,
Restoration of degraded grazing country in the semi-arid areas of ..., accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Pasture and grazing land: assessment of sustainability using invertebrate bioindicators

View Source
Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )
Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )
Contextual Support Government

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )

View Source
Preview of Soil and plant testing and analysis. FAO Soils Bulletin No. 38/1, accessed July 10, 2025
Soil and plant testing and analysis. FAO Soils Bulletin No. 38/1, accessed July 10, 2025
Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Soil and plant testing and analysis. FAO Soils Bulletin No. 38/1, accessed July 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Soil nutrient critical limits | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA, accessed May 13, 2025,
Soil nutrient critical limits | MBFP | More Beef from Pastures - MLA, accessed May 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed July 17, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support

Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025
Understanding soil tests for pastures | Soil | Farm management ..., accessed May 12, 2025
Contextual Support Methodology Source Government

Understanding soil tests for pastures

View Source
Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed May 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
www.barrierreef.org, accessed on May 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Potassium for high-performing pastures | Nutrient Advantage, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 15 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold is driven by 'luxury uptake' causing metabolic diseases in livestock.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-LVG-SOK family.

90 mg/kg High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
100 mg/kg High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
120 mg/kg High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1