Soil properties affect banded phosphorus

A soil's characteristics can affect a crop's response to banded phosphorus (P) fertilizers.

Soil test level P A crop response can be expected when a soil tests low in available P. On high P testing soils, small yield responses may occur in cooler climates with a short growing season, where rapid crop maturity is important and for crops with limited or shallow root systems, such as vegetable crops.

Soil pH Crop response to banded P is more likely if the soil's pH ranges from 5.5-6.3. The band concentrates P fertilizer in a small soil volume. This minimizes the soil property's effects on P availability.

Soil temperature Root growth is slower in the early season when soil temperatures are cooler. Reduced root is reduced means reduced nutrient uptake. Banded P is more likely to have an effect a crop response when:

1. seedlings germinate during periods of low temperature
2. crops that make most of their growth during cooler weather

Soil moisture Crops may respond favorably to banded P when there is adequate soil moisture early in the season. Soil moisture favours root growth. In moist soils dissolved P will move a greater distance from the band.

Soil texture In finer textured soils with a higher capacity to fix P, crops are more likely to respond to banded P.