Soil Nitrogen

AUS-TMI-AGR-SON General Moderate confidence

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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for sustainable productivity and ecological health is estimated to be 1000-2500 mg/kg for sandy soils and 1700-3400 mg/kg for clay/loam soils.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of Total Soil Nitrogen for sustainable productivity and ecological health.

Benchmark Definition:

Optimal range for Total Soil Nitrogen supporting robust production and minimizing environmental risk.

Justification:

Range based on SOC thresholds and nitrogen supply suitable for different soil textures.

Sources (1)

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Soil Organic Carbon Thresholds and Nitrogen Management in Tropical Agroecosystems: Concepts and Prospects - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025, Journal

Soil Organic Carbon Thresholds and Nitrogen Management in Tropical Agroecosystems: Concepts and Prospects - ResearchGate, accessed August 28, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (48)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(PDF) Addressing the nitrogen problem in sugarcane production to reduce pollution of the Great Barrier Reef - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Addressing the nitrogen problem in sugarcane production to reduce pollution of the Great Barrier Reef - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Addressing the rundown of nitrogen and soil organic carbon - GRDC, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

CRITICAL SOIL ORGANIC CARBON RANGE FOR OPTIMAL CROP RESPONSE TO MINERAL FERTILISER NITROGEN ON A FERRALSOL | Experimental Agriculture - Cambridge University Press

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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.

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Preview of Effects of Excess Nitrogen (N) on Fine Root Growth in Tropical Forests of Contrasting N Status - MDPI, accessed July 25, 2025,
Effects of Excess Nitrogen (N) on Fine Root Growth in Tropical Forests of Contrasting N Status - MDPI, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Excess Nitrogen (N) on Fine Root Growth in Tropical Forests of Contrasting N Status - MDPI, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Contextual Support Journal

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Farming Practice Variability and Its Implications for Soil Health in Agriculture: A Review, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Farming Practice Variability and Its Implications for Soil Health in Agriculture: A Review, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Global negative effects of nitrogen deposition on soil microbes - PMC, accessed July 25, 2025,
Global negative effects of nitrogen deposition on soil microbes - PMC, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Biological Mechanisms May Contribute to Soil Carbon Saturation

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Preview of Guidelines on Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Systems - Scientific, technical publications in the nuclear field | IAEA, accessed July 25, 2025,
Guidelines on Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Systems - Scientific, technical publications in the nuclear field | IAEA, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Guidelines on Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Systems - Scientific, technical publications in the nuclear field | IAEA, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Impacts of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Health - NCBI, accessed May 11, 2025
Impacts of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Health - NCBI, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support

Grazing support programs | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed July 17, 2025,

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Preview of In Defense of Albrecht - Nutrition Matters, accessed July 25, 2025,
In Defense of Albrecht - Nutrition Matters, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

In Defense of Albrecht - Nutrition Matters, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Living soils in agriculture | TERN Australia, accessed July 16, 2025,

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Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Maintain and improve groundcover - Local Land Services, accessed August 3, 2025

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Preview of National Soil Strategy, accessed August 3, 2025,
National Soil Strategy, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: A review, accessed July 28, 2025,

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Preview of Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen - Qld | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Nitrogen (Chapter 13) - Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nitrogen (Chapter 13) - Properties and Management of Soils in the Tropics, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Nitrogen balance in tropical agrosystems - Horizon, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen balance in tropical agrosystems - Horizon, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen balance in tropical agrosystems - Horizon, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Nitrogen Forms and Function - Soil Management, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen Forms and Function - Soil Management, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen Forms and Function - Soil Management, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Nitrogen leaching from the root zone of sugarcane and bananas in the humid tropics of Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen leaching from the root zone of sugarcane and bananas in the humid tropics of Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Developing Sustainable Banana Production Systems: A Case Study from Tropical Australia, accessed July 18, 2025

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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,
Contextual Support Journal

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

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Preview of Norfolk Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Norfolk Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment, accessed July 30, 2025,

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Preview of Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment, accessed August 3, 2025,
Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed July 28, 2025

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NORFOLK ISLAND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY 2023 - 2028 “Growing the local food economy for a resilient, sustainable and healthy com, accessed July 25, 2025,
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NORFOLK ISLAND FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY 2023 - 2028 “Growing the local food economy for a resilient, sustainable and healthy com

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Preview of Norfolk Island plant biosecurity import conditions - DAFF, accessed July 25, 2025,
Norfolk Island plant biosecurity import conditions - DAFF, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Regulatory Framework Government

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Phytophthora (root rot fungus) April 2024 test results - Lord Howe Island Board, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Phytophthora (root rot fungus) April 2024 test results - Lord Howe Island Board, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Rediscovering wild food to diversify production across Australia's agricultural landscapes, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Rediscovering wild food to diversify production across Australia's agricultural landscapes, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Preview of Regenerative Agriculture - Norfolk FWAG, accessed July 25, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture - Norfolk FWAG, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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Regenerative agriculture across continents: same principles, different systems | .Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 25, 2025,
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Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NCC: Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health - Wet Tropics Plan, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

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Preview of Review of C:N Ratios in Vegetation, Litter and Soil Under Australian Native Forests and Plantations - DCCEEW
Review of C:N Ratios in Vegetation, Litter and Soil Under Australian Native Forests and Plantations - DCCEEW
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Seed dynamics of the invasive geophyte Lilium formosanum on Lord Howe Island - SciSpace, accessed July 25, 2025,
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Seed dynamics of the invasive geophyte Lilium formosanum on Lord Howe Island - SciSpace, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Soil Health | Natural Resources Conservation Service - USDA, accessed May 13, 2025,
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Preview of Soil Nitrogen Supply | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,
Soil Nitrogen Supply | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed July 25, 2025,
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Soil Nitrogen Supply | Fact Sheets | soilquality.org.au, accessed May 11, 2025,

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Sugarcane - 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed July 25, 2025,
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The role of active fractions of soil organic matter in physical and chemical fertility of Ferrosols, accessed July 25, 2025,
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The role of active fractions of soil organic matter in physical and chemical fertility of Ferrosols, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle: A Balancing Act in Australian Agriculture - KG2, accessed July 25, 2025,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 15 Mar 2026

Notes

Supports healthy and productive crops, robust biological activity, and minimizes risk of nitrogen loss.

Related Benchmarks

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